What is a 3-Way Moneyline?

A 3-way moneyline adds a third side to the more familiar 2 way moneyline. Usually, the third side is a tie or draw. Based on our moneyline betting tutorial, we’ll explain how the bet works and you can place this wager at a sportsbook.

In some cases, the 3-way bet is advisable if you think the game will result in a tie. With a 2 way moneyline, a tie results in a push and your bet will be refunded. That means your bankroll was needlessly tied up for nothing. But if you bet on a tie with a 3-way moneyline and the game ended in a tie, you’d collect a payout instead.

Think of it this way: 3-way moneylines put a tie outcome to work!


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3-Way Moneyline Bet

A 3-way moneyline has odds for three different outcomes. Most often, you’ll see odds for two teams with a tie as the third outcome. Soccer game 3-way bets may use the word “draw” instead of tie.

Some prop bets will also have a third side. For example, consider the First to 15 Points prop bet for two college football teams. This wager will have odds for each team to get to 15 points first, plus a “Tie” if neither team makes it to 15 points.

Vs 2 Way Moneyline

The 2 way moneyline is also called a “Tie, No Bet” wager or “Draw, No Bet” wager. As you can tell from the term, a tie or draw mean your bet pushes and the sportsbook will refund your wager.

While a refund for a tie bet doesn’t sound like a bad outcome, it can sometimes represent a missed opportunity. Supposed you tied up $20 for 6 days on a 2 way moneyline bet that ended up a push? That $20 had other places to go. With a 3-way moneyline, you could have bet on a tie a potentially collected a nice win.

Of course, that doesn’t always mean a 3-way bet is the better alternative. Sometimes a push is better than a loss and you’re better off living to fight another day.

It’s best to look for 3-way bets when a tie or draw is in play, or if the third side of a prop bet seems like a more realistic outcome than the first 2 sides.

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3-Way Moneyline Sports

Most US sports betting sites offer 3-way moneylines for low-scoring sports like soccer and NHL hockey.

Occasionally, you may see a 3-way bet for NFL football since regular season games can technically tie, though availability will vary from sportsbook to sportsbook. The payout for a tie game would be high since ties aren’t common in the NFL.

Example

Let’s use odds from a MLS soccer game to explain the 3-way moneyline.

  • Inter Miami CF +275
  • Orlando City SC -115
  • Draw +270

You could take Inter Miami and risk $100 to win $275, or you could take Orlando City and risk $115 to win $100. You could also bet on a Draw as a third option, risking $100 to win $270.

Suppose the final result is Inter Miami 3-1 Orlando City. All Inter Miami bets would win. Bets on Orlando City and Draw would lose. However, if the result was Inter Miami 2-2 Orlando City, Draw bets would win and all bets on either team would lose.

Finally, note that a 3-way bet cannot result in a tie or push, unless the game is cancelled or postponed. Your wager will either win or lose.

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How to Place a 3-Way Moneyline Bet

Time needed: 1 minute

How to Place a 3-Way Moneyline Bet

  1. Review the odds

    Review each side’s moneyline odds. Also note the value for a tie or draw. Minus values indicate how much you risk to win $100, while plus values indicate how much you win if you risk $100.

  2. Handicap the wager

    Decide which of the 3 outcomes is the most likely result. If you’re handicapping a prop bet, dig into a team’s or player’s stats before picking an outcome.

  3. Choose either side or a draw or tie for a 3-way moneyline

    Pick either side or a draw or tie to win.

  4. Your bet wins if you picked the correct result

    Your bet wins if you picked the correct player, team, or outcome. Note that 3-way moneyline bets cannot result in a tie or push. Your bet will either win or lose.


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FAQs

What is a 3-way moneyline bet?

A 3-way moneyline has odds for three different outcomes. Most often, you’ll see odds for two teams with a tie as the third outcome. Soccer 3-way moneylines may use the word “draw” instead of tie.

How does a 3-way moneyline bet win or lose?

Your bet wins if you picked the correct team, player, or other outcome.

Can a 3-way moneyline bet tie or push?

A 3-way moneyline bet cannot tie or push. Your bet will either win or lose. Rarely, the bet will be refunded if the game is cancelled or postponed.

What is the difference between a 2 way and a 3-way moneyline?

A 3-way moneyline most commonly offers a tie or draw result as a third outcome. When a game or prop bet results in a tie, all 2 way moneyline bets will push. However those who bet on a tie using a 3-way moneyline would win their bet.

Which sports have 3-way moneyline game bets?

Most US sports betting sites offer 3-way moneylines for soccer and NHL hockey. Occasionally, you may see a 3-way moneyline for NFL football since regular season games can technically tie, though availability will vary from sportsbook to sportsbook.

Sports Betting Lessons

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Sports Betting Resources

  • How to Read Sports Betting Odds – Our helpful tutorial explains what the numbers mean for point spread, moneyline, total, and Asian Handicap bets.
  • Sports Betting Questions and Answers – Common sports betting questions and answers, a simple quick reference for beginners.
  • Sports Betting vs Casino Gambling – Learn how sportsbooks and casinos make money, and the important differences between each business model.
  • How to Read NFL Odds – Short and sweet guide to NFL point spreads, totals, and moneylines. We’ve got live example bets from upcoming NFL matchups.
  • Point Spread Bet – Understanding the point spread is key to betting on football and basketball. Learn how the point spread bet works with our tutorial video and text.
  • Over-Under Total Bet – Bet over or under the sportsbook’s line. We explain how to place this bet with easy examples, a video, and text explainer.
  • Moneyline Bet – Whether it’s a 2-way or 3-way moneyline, we’ve got you covered. Moneylines are available for almost every major sport league, including football, basketball, baseball, hockey, soccer, tennis, and combat sports.
  • Teaser Bet – A teaser is a modified parlay that lets you buy points to shift point spread and total lines in your favor. Our fun tutorial video and detailed text article explain how to place this bet.
  • If Bet Win-Only – Sequence multiple bets together in an if-then sequence. Your next bet only sees action if the previous one wins. Ideal for bettors with small bankrolls.
  • Futures Bet – We explain what a futures bet is, how it works, and when to bet on a future sporting event. Common futures bets include the winners of the Super Bowl, Final Four, Stanley Cup, World Series, and NBA Finals.
  • Parlay Bet – Combine multiple selections into one bet that returns a huge payout if all your selections were correct. We explain how parlay bets work and provide common parlay payout tables.
  • Progressive Parlay Bet – Also known as a “Close Call Parlay”, this parlay variant can win even if one or more of selections lose. Our article describes this bet in detail.
  • Parlay Card Betting – Parlay cards are issued by major sportsbooks midweek, allowing bettors to make multiple point spread, total, and prop bet selections that can return big payouts. Not to be confused with an “off the board” parlay!
  • Prop Bets – We explain what a prop bet is, how to place a prop bet, and provide an expansive list of sports leagues with plenty of props to bet on right now.