What a Moneyline Is
A moneyline asks which side will win rather than by how much. In many U.S. sports there are two sides; in soccer a three-way moneyline usually includes home win, draw and away win.
Favorites and Underdogs
A negative American price usually identifies the favorite, while a positive price usually identifies the underdog. The magnitude of the number matters because it changes both the payout and the probability required to break even.
Two-Way vs Three-Way
NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL moneylines are usually presented as two-way markets, although tie rules can vary by competition. Soccer commonly uses a three-way regulation-time market, so a draw can lose both team selections.
What to Check
Before using a moneyline, verify the competition rules, whether overtime counts, the current price and any lineup or availability news that materially changes the matchup.