A moneyline is simply the odds, as in “Odds to win” for an event with a winner and a loser. The bigger the favorite, the smaller the odds and payout. The bigger the underdog, the bigger the odds and payout, if they find a way to win.
For example, a moneyline of +150, is just +150 odds ($100 to win $150) for the listed team to win. A moneyline of -150 is just -150 odds ($150 to win $100) for the listed team to win. Which means that if you are betting on the favorite, you have to stake more money than if you were betting on the underdog (for the same profit/return).
A point spread is a popular form of wagering on football. It shows each team with a (+) or (-) handicap, commonly referred to as the 'line'. You win a point spread by predicting the winner of a game with the line factored into the final score. The accompanying odds determine the ratio of risk to reward just like with a moneyline bet.
If, for example, Team A is an 11½-point favorite (or minus 11.5) against Team B, Team A must win the game by 12 points or more for them to ‘cover the spread’. Any result where Team B wins or just loses by less than 12 points, spread bets on Team B would win.
Reminder: Odds are always contained within a spread, as a spread is just a mechanism for determining the winner. The odds (or moneyline) is the number that determines the ratio of risk/reward, and the spread is the number that determines which side wins the bet.
An over-under (also known as Totals or displayed as O/U) is a wager in which oddsmakers will create a number based on how many total points they think will be scored in the game, and you’ll bet whether you think the combined final score will be over or under that number. For example, If the O/U for Team A and Team B is 47.5, you’ll need at least 48 points scored to win the over and a max of 47 points scored to win the under.
Futures are bets available for future events, like who will win the Super Bowl this year, who will be the MVP and more. Futures are offered well in advance of any season and are continually adjusted as it unfolds. For example, at the beginning of the season you bet on a specific team to win the Super Bowl. In order to win your bet, that team would have to make the playoffs, make it to the Super Bowl, and then win that game.
