Moneyline: the plus and minus numbers explained
A moneyline is a bet on which side wins the game outright, with no handicap. American odds show it with a plus or minus number: a minus number such as -150 marks the favourite, and a plus number such as +130 marks the underdog. Whether overtime counts depends on the operator's rules, which we compare separately.
Checked by the editorial team on
- 2 min read
- 4 sections
- 1 table
- 4 FAQ
What a moneyline is
You pick a winner. If your side wins, the bet pays; if it loses, the stake is lost. There is no point margin to cover, which separates it from the point spread.
In a sport that can draw, an operator may offer a third outcome or settle on a stated result. The rules page of the operator says which.
Bottom line: a moneyline asks only who wins, and the number tells you the price.
How to read plus and minus
A minus number is the stake needed to win 100. A plus number is the amount won on a stake of 100. Both payouts below include the returned stake.
| American odds | Decimal odds | Implied probability | Stake 100 returns |
|---|---|---|---|
| -150 (favourite) | 1.67 | 60.0% | 166.67 |
| +130 (underdog) | 2.30 | 43.5% | 230.00 |
For -150, decimal odds are 1 + 100/150 = 1.67 and the implied probability is 150/250 = 60.0%.
For +130, decimal odds are 1 + 130/100 = 2.30 and the implied probability is 100/230 = 43.5%. Both are derived from the formulas, not taken from a sportsbook.
Convert any price with the odds converter, or read implied probability.
The overtime question
In hockey, a moneyline can settle on the 60-minute result or on the result after overtime or a shootout. The two are not the same bet. We have not yet read the operators' hockey rules for this table, so no operator's rule is stated here.
See the NHL settlement comparison once its rows are filled, and compare the idea with the puck line.
How we checked
The definition and formulas are our own derivation from the American and decimal odds conventions. We have not yet quoted an operator or league definition. When we do, it will carry a URL, a date and at most 15 words.
More on prices and margins: bet types, odds and margins. 19+ in Ontario and British Columbia; 18+ in Alberta, Manitoba and Québec. Gambling involves risk. Play responsibly.
FAQ
What does a minus sign mean on a moneyline?
A minus number, such as -150, marks the favourite. It is the stake needed to win 100 before the stake is returned. A stake of 150 wins 100, for a payout of 250 including the stake.
What does a plus sign mean on a moneyline?
A plus number, such as +130, marks the underdog. It is the amount won on a stake of 100. A stake of 100 wins 130, for a payout of 230 including the stake.
Does overtime count in a moneyline bet?
It depends on the operator's published rules, and in hockey a bet can settle on regulation time or on the final result. We compare these rules on the NHL settlement page, and read the operator's own page before you bet.
How do I turn a moneyline into a percentage?
Use implied probability: for a minus number A, divide A by A plus 100; for a plus number A, divide 100 by A plus 100. The conversion page shows more examples.