The moneyline is a plus or minus number associated with each team involved in a particular match, and it refers to either how much you have to bet to win $100 or how much you'll win if you bet $100. But for now I’ll give you a quick overview as to how you can win with this particular sports betting method. To start take a peak at this image Notice how William Hill were offering 7/4 (2.75). Whereas the betting exchange price (for the same selection) was trading at 2.10 and below. I think you’ll agree, that’s a pretty big difference.
In the world of sports betting, a money line bet is simply betting on which team you expect to win. It doesn’t have anything to do with a spread. You may also see a money line bet listed as “Money Line” or “ML” in different spaces.
Money lines are represented in negative and positive values.
Negative money line: -145, -220, or anything similar
When you see a minus (-) sign in front of a price, it shows you that team is the favorite to win the game.
That number also indicates how much money you need to bet/spend in order to win $100.
For example, a -220 money line means you need to bet $220 in order to win $100 provided the team you bet on actually does win.
Heavy favorites are known in sports betting as a “chalk” pick. A heavy favorite usually has a number pushing +300 or more. Here, you’re wagering a lot on the favorite to win a little. Don’t assume that a heavy favorite, or chalk pick, is a guaranteed winner…
Positive money line: +145, +220, or anything similar
When you see a plus (+) sign in front of a price, it shows you that team is the underdog. Higher numbers like +400, +500, +5000, etc. represent how much of an underdog the team is in the game. The higher the number the more likely the team is expected to lose in the eyes of the oddsmakers.
The number also indicates how much money would win in comparison to every $100 you wager.
For example, a +150 money line means you would win $150 for each $100 wager you place should that team win the game.
Money line examples:
Lets use an NFL example here:
New England Patriots -240
Miami Dolphins +220
To bet the New England Patriots to win on the money line, you would need to spend $240 on the bet for a chance to win $100 if the Patriots beat the Dolphins. Your return would be $340 – the original $240 stake (bet) and the $100 bet profit.
To bet the Miami Dolphins to win on the money line, you would spend $100 on the bet for a chance to win $220 if the Dolphins, as the underdog, beat the Patriots. Your return would be $320 – the original $100 stake (bet) and the $220 profit.
In both situations, it doesn’t matter if the team you bet on wins by one point or 100 points. You’re purely betting on the team you believe will win the game. As Al Davis said, “Just win, baby.” That’s exactly what you’d be looking for out of your selection. It doesn’t have to be pretty, it just has to happen or your original stake is lost.
Super Bowl 55 is nearly upon us, and that means it’s time for you to do some research on how to bet on the game, if that’s something you like to do.
That’s where this annual post comes in.
We picked 10 prop bets that are game-specific (a roundup with our more fun prop predictions will be coming soon!), and delivered our expert takes to help you win some money on Sunday.
A reminder: just because the favorites to win some of these are the obvious choice doesn’t make them the best bet to make.
Away we go!
(All bets courtesy of BetMGM)
1 Chiefs: First touchdown scorer
Steven: Travis Kelce (+600)
It was between Kelce and Tyreek Hill for me, and I ultimately went with the tight end because I refuse to believe the Bucs are going to let the latter run wild after what he did in the first game between these teams. On that opening possession, they’re going to make the Chiefs work for it and they’ll have to score in the red zone. That’s Kelce’s territory.
Charles M: Patrick Mahomes (+2200)
The Chiefs have always been pretty good at designing read and option plays for Mahomes near the goal line. They scored on one last year in their Super Bowl win against the 49ers and they aren’t afraid to use his athleticism when space gets tight.
Charles C: Darrell Williams (+1600)
I’m eyeing the Patrick Mahomes odds at +2200, but it feels like Andy Reid will lean on Williams to run early on, so I’ll back the RB to find the end zone first.
2 Buccaneers: First touchdown scorer
Steven: Rob Gronkowski (+1800)
Those odds are too good to pass up, and Gronk had a good game in the first matchup. I think he’ll be a big part of this week’s gameplan given the personnel the Chiefs defense trots out there. He’ll have some mismatches and Tom Brady will look to exploit them.
Charles M: Mike Evans (+1200)
I like how the Bucs wide receivers match up against the Chiefs cornerbacks. Evans is the Bucs best, healthiest receiver entering the game and they should feed him early and often.
Charles C: Cameron Brate (+1600)
Leonard Fournette at +600 is good — he’s found paydirt five times in his past six games and the Chiefs’ run defense isn’t great. But a longshot bet on the tight end who’s been more of a focus in the postseason feels like an underrated bet.
3 Super Bowl MVP
Steven: Patrick Mahomes (+100)
No need to overthink this. Although if you’re looking for a Chiefs alternative, Kelce is your man.
Charles M: Patrick Mahomes (+100)
Sorry, I’m boring. I know.
Charles C: Travis Kelce (+1000)
Obviously it’s going to be Mahomes if the Chiefs win. But if Kelce has a BIG night? I’m willing to wager on that.
4 Patrick Mahomes passing yards (O/U 329.5)
Steven: Over (-120)
Mahomes nearly hit this mark in the first half of the Week 12 game. And I don’t think the Chiefs are going to be running the ball much against that Bucs defense. This is pretty much a lock.
Charles M: Over (-120)
The Chiefs are going to air it the hell out. Their offensive line is banged up and they’re going against the toughest rushing defense in the league. Last time they played, Mahomes threw the ball 49 times. I would expect something similar.
Charles C: Over (-120)
I don’t love the odds, and the fact that Mahomes last went over 329 against the Dolphins back on Dec. 13 might tempt you to go under. But the Chiefs are going to be throwing A LOT on Sunday.
5 Tom Brady pass attempts (O/U 44.5)
Steven: Over (+270)
This is going to be a shootout and the Bucs are not going to keep up running the ball. Brady might throw 50 passes on Sunday night.
Charles M: Over (+270)
Gotta throw to keep up with, and bury, Mahomes. Any game against the Chiefs is automatically a shootout, Brady is going to need to throw the ball over and over again.
Betting Window
Charles C: Over (+270)
I have a feeling the game will be close in the first half before Mahomes and Co. take off in the second. That means Brady will have to throw a lot, and he’ll get to 45 before the night is over.
6 Travis Kelce receptions (O/U 7.5)
Steven: Over (-135)
Way over. Kelce might break the record for receptions in a Super Bowl on Sunday. If the Bucs are content to sit in their soft zones, he’ll feast over the middle.
Charles M: Over (-135)
This is an easy one. Kelce is a mismatch against every defender on the Bucs and he averaged seven catches per game during the regular season. Kelce had eight catches on eight targets the last time the Bucs and Chiefs played.
Charles C: Over (-135)
He had at least eight receptions in nine of his last ten games. The Bucs allowed 86 catches to opposing tight ends this year, seventh-most in the NFL. This is easy money.
7 Mike Evans receptions (O/U 4.5)
Steven: Over (+100)
Brady really looked to target Evans in that first game. And I don’t think the Chiefs will be afraid to leave him one-on-one. With the Bucs needing to throw a ton, Evans could get to this number in the first half.
Charles M: Over (+100)
This one seems a bit low to me. Chris Godwin and Antonio Brown are both a little banged up entering the Super Bowl. This seems like a prime time for a heavy dose of Mike Evans, especially considering his size advantage over the Chiefs cornerbacks.
Charles C: Over (+100)
It can be boom or bust with Evans — I’ll happily bet on him finding the end zone, but betting on this can be tricky given the receiver’s low volume. But if I think the Bucs will be playing from behind, it means Evans will end up with five or six catches.
8 Clyde Edwards-Helaire rushing yards (O/U 26.5)
Steven: Under (+115)
The Chiefs rotate their running backs and I don’t know if there are enough carries to go around. And with how important blitz pickup could be against the Bucs defense, the rookie might not see the field a whole lot.
Charles M: Over (-140)
As good as the Buccaneers run defense is, this is a pretty low bar to clear for CEH. Bell and Williams will eat into his workload, but CEH is talented enough to hit the over here.
Charles C: Under (+115)
It feels to me like Williams will get the call in the Super Bowl, CEH will have maybe seven or eight carries, and against that tough Bucs run defense, he’s not going anywhere.
9 Tyreek Hill longest reception (O/U 26.5)
Steven: Over (-125)
He might be the greatest deep threat in the history of the game. Mahomes will find a way to get him the ball deep.
Charles M: Over (-125)
Betting Win Percentage Calculator
Andy Reid and Eric Bienemy are going to figure out a way to get Hill open for at least one deep shot. He had a couple in the first meeting between these teams.
Charles C: (Over -125)
Lock this one in — he’s gone over that total nine times in 2020.
10 Chris Godwin total receptions (O/U 5.5)
Steven: Under (+105)
The Chiefs defense does a good job of defending slot receivers — especially the one who run deeper routes over the middle — and that’s where the Bucs deploy Godwin. Bruce Arians will scheme some easy catches for Godwin with screen passes and whatnot, but it’s going to be hard for him to get targets organically.
Charles M: Over (-130)
Godwin has a pretty favorable matchup against the interior of the Chiefs pass defense. Unless he gets stuck with Tyrann Mathieu following him around the field, Godwin should be able to clear this reception mark.
Charles C: Under (+105)
Surprise! Brady likes to spread the ball around, so Godwin will end up with five and frustrate you.
11 Pick a parlay
Note: BetMGM lists a bunch of ready-made parlays to bet on. We each picked one.
Steven: 10+ points scored in each quarter (+240)
Usually, Super Bowls get off to slow starts. But both quarterbacks have been here before and I’m expecting big performances from both offenses.
Charles M: Travis Kelce, Tyreek Hill, and Chris Godwin all over 100 receiving yards (+900)
Go big or go home. Let’s have a shootout.
Charles C: Patrick Mahomes to record 300+ passing yards, Leonard Fournette to record 50+ rushing yards and Chris Godwin to record 80+ receiving yards (+450)
Love the odds, love how simple this seems, definitely going to lose some money on this one.
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