💡 What happens if a moneyline bet ties/draws?

If you have placed a bet on a two-option moneyline bet, so you only had the option to bet on either team to win, there was no option to bet on a draw. If the team wins, you win. If the team loses, then you lose as well. If the game ends in a tie/draw, the bet is settled as a ‘push’, which means your stake will be refunded.

💡 Can you bet on the moneyline for all sports?

Moneyline betting is available on any sport. It isn’t always the best option. You may get better odds on a handicap or points spread bet, but the option to bet on the moneyline should be available.

💡 How do moneyline bets work?

A moneyline bet is a straightforward bet. It is a bet between two teams or players, and odds are assigned to both, taking into account previous form and other factors. In some sports, there is also the option for a draw. You place a bet on which of the two/three options you believe to be correct, and if you are correct, you win the bet.

💡 Can you cash out on Moneyline bets?

Most of the time yes, you can cash out on moneyline bets. It depends on the site you are playing at and whether they offer live betting. Like most live betting, when the game enters the later stages, some betting options may be withdrawn, and the option to cash out can also be removed.

Moneyline bets – All you need to know (Beginners Guide)

Last update at 1 August, 2025⏲️ Reading time: 8 minutes

What is a “Moneyline” bet?

The term "Moneyline" originates from American Betting, where American Sports ending in a draw are rare and, in some cases, not possible. For this reason, betting on the Moneyline in most American Sports means you would be betting on the team you believe would win. In reality though the term means betting on the result of a game which in some sports would include a draw as a third betting option.

Depending on the sport, you may have three options. This is sometimes referred to as Money Line 3-Way.

The moneyline also means there's nothing else within the game or match that needs to happen for your bet to win. So in a football match, for example, it wouldn't matter what the final score difference is, who scored any goals or how or when they were scored. No team is given a handicap of any kind. All that matters is that at the end of the game, the choice you picked is the final result.

Moneyline bet: real example

So, not every moneyline bet has the same options, so below are a couple of examples.

If we were to take baseball as an example. There is no draw in baseball. If at the end of the standard Nine innings, the game is a draw, the game continues until someone wins; therefore, a moneyline bet would look like this in the NBL.

Boston Red Sox 2.8
Philadelphia Phillies 1.56

With only the two possible outcomes.

If we were to look at a football match where there is an option for the game to end in a draw.

In the Women’s World Cup semi-final match between Spain and Germany

The moneyline 3-Way bet is:

Spain 1.54
Germany 7.2
Draw 4.8

With three different possible outcomes. This type of bet is more commonly known in Europe as “Match Odds”.

Comparison between moneyline and points spread (handicap) bets

Although moneyline or match odds are the most popular type of bet on most sports. In most American Sports and some others, that is not always the case. Often, the more popular option is to bet on the point spread or handicap market, which are essentially the same, differing only in name depending on the site or sport.

With this type of bet, you are only ever betting on a team to win, but you are betting on them to win after either a handicap or points advantage has been applied to the final score.

The reason this is a more popular bet is that the odds are generally better when wishing to bet on a favorite to win a game, as this type of market aims to balance the odds so you are often betting close to evens (2.0), which is shown in the table below.

Team	Money Line	Team	Handicap/Points Spread
🏀 Boston Red Sox	2.8	🏀 Boston Red Sox +1.5	1.88
🏀 Philadelphia Phillies	1.56	🏀 Philadelphia Phillies -1.5	2.14

Team

Money Line

Team

Handicap/Points Spread

🏀 Boston Red Sox

2.8

🏀 Boston Red Sox +1.5

1.88

🏀 Philadelphia Phillies

1.56

🏀 Philadelphia Phillies

-1.5

2.14

As you can see from the odds above, the PP are favourites to win the game, priced at 1.56. However, in the points spread market, they have been given a handicap of -1.5 runs. With this handicap, there are no longer favourites and are now priced at 2.14.

So, betting on the moneyline means you are betting on them to win the game. Betting on the handicap market means you are betting that they not only win but win by at least 2 runs (as it is not possible to get 0.5 runs).

Similar betting markets to Moneyline

The most similar type of betting market to a standard two-way moneyline bet is probably the Asian Handicap -0.5 market. In this market, you are giving the team you bet on a half-point disadvantage. A half point is not possible, so what this means is the team needs to win by a clear goal for your bet to win. The vital difference between the markets is that if the game were to end in a draw. Your moneyline bet would push, and your stake would be refunded. In the 0-5 handicap market, your team would be deducted half a point and therefore the bet would lose

The +0.5 market is also similar, this means you are giving your team a half point headstart, so on either market if your team won your bet would win, if the game was a draw your moneyline bet would still push but your asian handicap +0.5 bet would win as you would get the extra +0.5 points added to the final score.

Moneyline Betting Bonuses

When it comes to any promotion, it's essential to read and fully understand the terms and conditions that accompany the bonus. One of the things to focus on is the type of bets that qualify you to receive the bonus. Moneyline bets are commonly included in most bonuses, but it's never safe to assume so always check.

1
Welcome Bonuses
Sites often have a welcome bonus which are there to tempt you to join. They tend to fall into two categories. One option is a percentage bonus on top of your deposit, or if you place a bet with the sportsbook, you receive a free bet as the bonus. As mentioned above, the terms and conditions include rules on the type of bet you can place to qualify for a free bet or count towards any wagering that comes with a percentage bonus. This is usually very clear in the terms and conditions whether moneyline bets count. As one of the most common types of bets, they often are.
2
Free Bet Promotions
These types of bets can be part of a welcome bonus, as we mentioned; however, some sites also offer Free Bet bonuses to existing customers. These tend to be around specific events. These will also have terms and conditions and usually involve you placing a bet on a particular game or match, it's usually clear if money line bets qualify.
3
Enhanced Odds Offers
Certain sites like to boost or enhance odds on a market. These can be on any market, including the moneyline market.
4
Accumulator Bonuses
Money-line bets are commonly included in accumulator bonuses. These bonuses typically fall into one of two categories. The first is an insurance if you lose style bet, so it might be place five bets, and if four win and one fails, you get your money back, these five bets can often be moneyline bets. The second type is a percentage bonus based on the number of selections on your bet; these also frequently include money-line bets. As always, please review the terms and conditions carefully.

Remember to always gamble responsibly.

After joining a site, take a look at what safer gambling tools are available. Be sure to activate all of them, as they will help you stay safe online.

Gambling should never be more than an activity you do as a hobby with funds that you can comfortably afford to lose. If at any point gambling stops being fun or you find yourself chasing losses, you should immediately stop and seek advice. Sites will often have a questionnaire or a link to one which will assess if you have or are at risk of developing a problem. They will also offer further advice, including information on companies that will provide support. GambleAware and Gamblers Anonymous are two of the most well-known companies.

FAQ. Frequently Asked Questions

If you have placed a bet on a two-option moneyline bet, so you only had the option to bet on either team to win, there was no option to bet on a draw.
If the team wins, you win. If the team loses, then you lose as well. If the game ends in a tie/draw, the bet is settled as a ‘push’, which means your stake will be refunded.
Moneyline betting is available on any sport. It isn’t always the best option. You may get better odds on a handicap or points spread bet, but the option to bet on the moneyline should be available.
A moneyline bet is a straightforward bet. It is a bet between two teams or players, and odds are assigned to both, taking into account previous form and other factors. In some sports, there is also the option for a draw. You place a bet on which of the two/three options you believe to be correct, and if you are correct, you win the bet.
Most of the time yes, you can cash out on moneyline bets. It depends on the site you are playing at and whether they offer live betting. Like most live betting, when the game enters the later stages, some betting options may be withdrawn, and the option to cash out can also be removed.