What is a money line in sports betting exactly? It is an expression used when describing a wager where the payment is standardized. This is typically done to remove any doubt as to whether the amount being wagered is actually covering the cost of the wager. There are various different types of money line odds that sportsbooks offer, and knowing which ones to opt for can be tricky for the uninitiated.
Traditional vs. Progressive
The first, and most basic, type of money line is the traditional one. With this type of wager, the payoff is based on the straight-up winner of the matchup. For instance, if the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were playing the New Orleans Saints on November 25, 2019, and the score of the game was 37-20 in favor of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, then bettors would win a 100% return of their wager (with the exception of the handling charges for placing the wager).
When it comes to sports betting, the terminology can get a little bit confusing due to the different types of bets that are available. One of these is the traditional money line. However, beyond the basic terminology, there are slight differences between traditional and progressive money lines. If a bettor is looking to get into sports betting but is unfamiliar with the different aspects of it, then traditional money line might be the best option for them. It is quite simple and straightforward, and since most bookmakers offer this type of wager, it means that newbies will surely have no trouble understanding the concept behind it.
The Basics Of Money Lines
The good and the bad thing about traditional money lines is that they are very, very basic. The odds and the payout for each individual matchup are clearly displayed on the website itself, so newbies and even some experienced players will have no trouble understanding what is going on. This type of wager is easy to keep track of, and since most bookmakers offer this type of bet, it makes it quite convenient for gamblers who want to keep up with the action. Unless you are looking for a more complicated type of wager, then traditional money line probably is the best choice. Despite this, it still has its disadvantages. The most glaring of which is that it is extremely basic and, as a result, very easy to beat. The good thing is that it is quite simple and straightforward, which makes it ideal for placing larger wagers. While it would be very easy to rig a traditional money line in favor of your chosen team, doing so would put you at great risk of getting your winnings back. The reason being is that sports bookies aim to keep a certain level of cash on hand, so they can pay off winners promptly.
The Risks Of Traditional Money Lines
The risks of traditional money lines are fairly low. However, this form of wager does have some drawbacks. The first is that it is, as previously stated, very basic and, as a result, extremely easy to rig. An experienced sportsbook hacker would have no trouble manipulating the numbers to his or her advantage. The other major risk is that, as previously stated, it is fairly easy for the bookmakers to pay off winners promptly. This makes it an extremely high-risk wager for the unscrupulous.
The Pros Of Progressive Money Lines
Progressive money lines are far more complicated than traditional ones, but this is mostly because they are designed to appeal to a broader audience. These are the types of wagers where the winnings are based on a percentage of the pot. For example, if you wager $10 on the Milwaukee Bucks vs. Los Angeles Lakers American League Championship Series game on October 26, 2019, and the Lakers win 22-5, then you will win $22 on the 10-spot bet. Win or lose, you will only earn a total of $10.
The risks of a progressive money line are almost endless. This is mainly because the odds for each individual game are not displayed on the website itself, but on a specialized tab. The sheer volume of information that has to be sifted through in order to find them is a major pain in the neck. The other major risk is that the payouts on these types of wagers are almost impossible to calculate. Even if you are familiar with odds, the problem is that the pot in most cases is massive, and this makes it virtually impossible to know how much you will end up winning or losing. You could end up with either a small gain or a major loss depending on the amount of traffic that the website attracts. This is why most sportsbooks do not offer this type of wager. The only upside to this is that, as a beginner, it might be the best option available, especially if you are looking to place larger wagers and avoid the pitfalls that are associated with traditional money lines.
In conclusion, the risks of traditional money lines are very low compared to those of other forms of wagers, but this also makes them quite easy to rig. Experienced sportsbook hackers would have no trouble manipulating the odds in their favor. The other major risk is that the payouts on these types of wagers are virtually impossible to calculate, especially in the case of large pots. This makes it an extremely high-risk wager for the inexperienced and even some experienced bettors. The good thing is that most bookmakers do not offer this type of wager, so it provides a safe haven for sports bettors who want to place larger wagers and avoid the pitfalls that are associated with traditional money lines. Just keep in mind that, as a beginner, you should probably avoid these types of wagers if you are looking for a safe place to wager.