MLS betting offers various markets, including standard moneyline, spread, total bets, props, exotic bets, and futures. Here's an overview of the top markets and examples:
Moneyline
The moneyline is a bet involving betting on the team to win the soccer event. However, soccer matches can also end in draws, so the moneyline is often a three-way, as shown in the example below:
- Toronto: +160
- St. Louis City: +145
- Draw: +250
In this example, betting $100 on Toronto to win will reward you with a $160 payout. Betting the same stake on St. Louis will get you $145 while betting on the draw/tie will get you a $250 payout. The draw is the least likely outcome, while St. Louis is slight favourites to beat Toronto FC.
The Spread
The spread bet, also known as point spread or handicap in soccer, involves betting on the goal variation. The favourite is given a handicap before the match begins, while the underdog gets an advantage. Here's an example:
- Montreal: -1.5 (-115)
- Toronto: +1.5 (-135)
In this example, Montreal is the favourite and must outscore Toronto by at least 2 goals for you to win. An example of a win for Montreal is 3-1, 4-2, 5-1, etc. You can win $100 for a $115 bet. If you back Toronto against the spread, you can win $100 from a $135 bet. Toronto will need to win, draw, or lose by 1 goal for you to win against the spread.
Total Bet (Over/Under)
The total bet involves betting on the goals aggregate, which is the total number of goals scored by both teams. You can bet on a match to produce over or under a set threshold, like 4.5 goals.
If the game gets more goals than the threshold, you win the over bet. You win on the under bet if it yields fewer goals than the threshold. The over/under bet can also be found as a prop for the number of goals in the first or second half, the number of corners in the match, the total yellow cards the game produces, etc.
Prop and Exotic Bets
Prop bets and exotics are where MLS betting gets interesting for hardcore soccer fans. A prop is a bet on a minor outcome in the match, like how many goals a player will score, if the game will go to extra time, the number of corners or yellow cards a game will produce, if there'll be a red card, etc.
Soccer also comes with exotic bets, which are unique to the game. An example is which team gets the first corner kick or which player scores the second goal of the match. Such bets take on the standard format given to moneyline bets and futures. If the odds show +150, you can win $150 from a $100 bet. If it's expressed as -150, you must bet $150 to win $100.
Other MLS Bets
You can find many other MLS bets, including futures, which involve betting on long-term events like who will win the MLS Cup or who will emerge as the league's best player, best goalkeeper, or top scorer.
MLS betting sites allow players to bet on single events, like a moneyline. Punters can also place multi-bets/parlays, which involve betting on two or more outcomes, like a moneyline from one event and a spread from another. You can also place same-game parlays, like a moneyline and a total or prop bet from the same match.