What Does Moneyline Mean in Esports Betting?
A moneyline bet is where you simply bet on which team or player wins in a matchup..
The favorites are marked with a minus (-) and the underdogs are marked with a plus (+).
Betting on a favorite (-160) means you need to wager $160 to win $100, and betting on an underdog (-160) means you would win $160 if you bet $100..
Moneyline betting is ideal for beginners, and you can bet on many different games, which can include examples such as best-of-three series in League of Legends or a single match in EA FC.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about esports moneyline betting and give you some tips to keep in mind before placing moneyline bets.
What Is the Moneyline?
A moneyline bet is the most basic form of betting market on esports betting sites. You’re essentially choosing which team or player is going to win the match. Moneyline odds will be displayed with either a plus (+) or a minus (-).
This is what can be a bit off-putting for most beginner bettors. But it’s really simple: these symbols signify which team or player the bookmaker sees as the favorite or the underdog.
The minus symbol before the teams’ odds (-150) means that they are the favorite going into the match. That’s the amount you need to bet to win $100. So, for example, if you bet $150 on the favorite and the favorite wins the match, you’ll win $100 on your bet.
On the other hand, the underdogs are given a plus symbol (+150). If you bet $100 on the underdog at +150, for example, you will win $250 in your overall returns.
Moneyline bets are common in standard sports betting as well. But it’s one of the most popular options when it comes to esports because it’s simple and easy to use for general wagering.
How Does the Moneyline Work?
Moneyline odds show the probability of each team or player winning the match. Bookmakers calculate the numbers you see (odds) based on various factors. They’ll look into specific criteria such as past performances, win rates, rankings, and head-to-head history.
It’s important to consider that each bookmaker calculates its own odds, so it’s worth shopping around to find the best odds available. However, most new bettors struggle to understand how to compare odds between bookies.
If the number is positive (+), it indicates the profit you would make from wagering $100. If the number is a negative (-), it shows the amount you need to wager to win $100. This can be confusing at first, but you’ll get the hang of it over time.
Higher numbers mean better odds. For underdogs, +140 is better than +120, and for the favorites, a -110 is better than -130 (because you’re risking less money to win the same amount). When you’re comparing odds between bookies, it’s essential to check the odds for both teams, not just the team you’re backing.
Another thing to keep in mind is that moneyline odds can change rapidly in esports due to patch updates and fluctuations in player or team form, which is why they are significantly more volatile than standard sports betting odds.
How To Place a Moneyline Bet on Esports
You’ll find moneyline bets on any esports bookmaker website that you visit. Placing a moneyline bet on an esports bookie is a breeze. As long as you find the right bookmaker with the best odds, you can back your team within a couple of minutes.
We’ll take you through all the steps to placing a moneyline bet below:
- Choose a licensed sportsbook. Remember, each bookie has its own odds, so make sure to use an odds comparison tool to find the best value for your bets.
- Go to the esports section.
- Choose a title and a match you want to bet on. Make sure to check the odds before you wager; they can change frequently.
- Choose the team or player you want to bet on. Favorites have negative (-) odds, and underdogs have positive (+) odds.
- Enter your stake and place the bet. Your potential payouts will be calculated and previewed once you enter the amount you want to stake.
- Watch the match and enjoy.
Top Tips When Placing Moneyline Esports Bets
Moneyline bets may seem straightforward, but strategy remains crucial to success. If you’re just wagering on blind luck, you’re not going to get far, even on these straightforward bets.
Understanding moneyline bets in esports betting and gaining experience with them can set you up to start moving on to more complicated bets, such as handicap bets, in the future. Here are some tips on how to make the most of moneyline bets:
💡 Study team history: Look into the current form of both teams and their recent performances. Analyze their head-to-head history and understand how they play against each other before you place your bets.
💡 Keep an eye out for last-minute changes: Team changes can happen in esports with substitutes being brought in or players being rotated within a team. These changes can impact a team’s performance, especially in team and objective-driven games like CS2 or LoL.
💡 Compare odds at different bookies: It’s important to remember that each bookmaker calculates their odds. So, you can get better esports betting odds on various platforms. Make sure to shop around.
💡 Don’t always go for the favorite: Betting on the favorite is typically a ‘safer bet’, but it’s not a guaranteed win. It’s also not the most profitable. A calculated punt on an underdog can yield much higher returns.
💡 Consider esports tournament formats: Single matches are straightforward, but a series becomes more complicated. More matches (like a Bo3 or Bo5 series) leave more room for upsets and underdogs winning.
Conclusion
Moneyline bets are the most common and straightforward forms of betting in esports. You’re simply choosing a winner out of a matchup of different teams or players. Each moneyline bet will show you the favorites (the team or player with a minus symbol) and the underdogs (the team or player with a plus symbol).
These symbols indicate which team the bookmaker predicts to be the favorite to win the match. Betting on the favorite will (-130, for example) show you how much you need to wager to win $100. In this case, betting $130 would return $100 if the team wins.
Betting on the underdogs (+130, for example) shows you how much profit you will make for placing a $100 bet. In this scenario, you would win $130 for wagering $100. Most importantly, you should gamble responsibly, and with funds you can afford to lose, because, as with any form of gambling, there aren’t ever any guaranteed wins.
FAQs
How does moneyline work in esports?
Moneyline betting in esports is a straight bet on which team or player is winning the match. The odds determine how much you win depending on your stake.
How to read moneyline esports odds/how to read moneyline odds in esports?
Moneyline odds are shown with a plus (+) and minus (-) symbol. A minus is shown next to the favorites, and indicates how much you need to bet to win $100 (-150). A plus indicates the underdog, showing you how much profit you would win if you wager $100 (+150).
How is moneyline different from other esports bets?
Moneyline bets focus only on the outcome of the match. It’s much simpler compared to other types of bets, such as handicap bets that rely on rounds, maps, kills, or points differences to determine a winning bet.
What games support moneyline betting in esports?
Most competitive esports titles will support moneyline betting, including Fortnite, Apex Legends, EA FC, League of Legends, and more.
How are esports moneyline odds calculated?
Each bookmaker calculates their unique odds based on various factors, including past performances, head-to-head stats, player and team form. Make sure to compare odds between different bookies to find the best one for you.
Is moneyline betting legal?
It depends on your location. Online sports betting is legal through legitimate and licensed sportsbooks. Always look for regulated platforms and check the local laws in your area.
Where can I place moneyline bets for esports?
You can place moneyline bets through online sportsbooks that offer esports betting. Ensure that you find one that’s licensed and has received good reviews.
