Sportsbooks offer many different betting options, but most markets start with a few core game lines. These core lines help shape the rest of the betting board, including game portion markets and proposition bets, also known as props.

The three main core betting markets are:

• Moneyline
• Spread
• Total

Understanding these three markets is the best place to start.

Moneyline: Who Wins?

The moneyline is the simplest betting market. It asks which team or player will win the matchup.

A favorite is shown with a minus price.

Example: Team A -150

This means Team A is favored. At -150, a bettor would need to risk $150 to win $100 in profit.

An underdog is shown with a plus price.

Example: Team B +130

This means Team B is the underdog. At +130, a $100 bet would win $130 in profit if Team B wins.

Moneyline prices are based on each side’s estimated chance of winning, plus the sportsbook’s built-in margin. We cover that more in the Betting Odds Explained section.

Spread: Winning by a Margin

The spread, also called the handicap, adds a point adjustment to each team.

Instead of only asking who wins, the spread asks whether a team can win by enough points or stay close enough.

Example: Team A -5.5

Team A must win by 6 points or more for this spread bet to win.

Example: Team B +5.5

Team B can either win the game outright or lose by 5 points or fewer for this spread bet to win.

The spread is about the margin of victory, not just the final winner.

Total: Over or Under the Combined Score

The total, also called the over/under, focuses on the combined score of both teams.

Example: Total: 44.5

A bet on the Over 44.5 wins if the teams combine for 45 or more points.

A bet on the Under 44.5 wins if the teams combine for 44 or fewer points.

Totals are not about which team wins. They are about how much scoring happens in the game.

Game Portions and Props

Core lines can apply to the full game or to parts of the game, such as:

• Quarters
• Halves
• Periods
• Innings
• Sets

The same ideas still apply. A first-half spread, for example, works like a full-game spread but only counts the first half.

Core game lines also help shape prop markets. Props are bets on specific outcomes, such as player points, passing yards, rebounds, strikeouts, team totals, or first team to score.

Key Takeaways

• The moneyline is about who wins.
• The spread is about margin.
• The total is about combined scoring.
• These markets can apply to the full game or smaller game portions.
• Props are more specific markets built around game and player outcomes.

Understanding these core markets makes the rest of the betting board easier to read.