Sports Betting Markets Explained: Moneyline, Totals & More

Sports betting offers a wide range of markets, each with its own strategy and risk profile. Understanding these different types of wagers can help bettors find opportunities that match their knowledge and preferences.

Moneyline Bets

Moneyline bets are the simplest form of wagering. You pick which team or competitor you think will win. There is no point spread to consider — if your selection wins, your bet pays out based on the current odds. Moneyline bets are common in sports like soccer, baseball, and hockey.

Point Spread Bets

Point spread betting is popular in sports like basketball and American football. Instead of betting merely on winners, you bet on whether a team will win by a certain margin or lose within a margin. This levels the playing field between strong and weaker teams and offers more balanced markets.

Totals (Over/Under)

Totals bets, also known as over/under, focus on the combined score of both teams. Bettors predict whether the total points, goals, or runs will be above or below a specified number. Totals bets are ideal for bettors who prefer outcomes based on game flow rather than which team wins.

Specialty & Prop Markets

Prop (proposition) bets focus on specific events within a game, such as a player’s scoring number or whether a game will go into overtime. These markets offer variety and can be appealing to bettors with deep knowledge of players or specific game conditions.

Learning about these markets allows bettors to explore beyond basic win/loss wagers and find niches where they have strong insight or expertise.