Sportsbooks offer many betting options, but most markets start with three core game lines: moneyline, spread, and total. Understanding these is the best place to start.
The simplest betting market. It asks which team or player will win the matchup, with prices based on each side's estimated chance of winning. See Betting Odds Explained for how those prices work.
Team A: -150
Favored. Risk $150 to win $100 profit
Team B: +130
Underdog. $100 bet wins $130 if they win
Adds a point adjustment to each team. Instead of asking who wins, the spread asks whether a team can win by enough points or stay close enough.
Team A: -5.5
Must win by 6 points or more
Team B: +5.5
Wins outright or loses by 5 or fewer
Focuses on the combined score of both teams. Not about which team wins — about how much scoring happens in the game.
Over 44.5
Wins if combined score is 45+
Under 44.5
Wins if combined score is 44 or fewer
Core lines can apply to the full game or to parts of it. A first-half spread, for example, works like a full-game spread but only counts the first half. Core lines also shape prop markets — bets on specific outcomes like player points, passing yards, rebounds, strikeouts, team totals, or first team to score.
- ✓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