For many sports bettors, especially those familiar with American sports like football and basketball, the moneyline bet is straightforward: pick one team to win. If that team wins, the bet cashes. If the game ends in a tie, the wager is typically refunded in what is known as a push. However, in sports where draws are a common and accepted result, such as soccer and hockey, a different type of wager is often available. This is known as the 3-way moneyline, and it introduces a third option that fundamentally changes how the bet works.
Understanding what is a 3-way moneyline is crucial for anyone looking to expand their betting portfolio into global sports. It offers a different strategic approach by forcing the bettor to choose not just who will win, but also whether the game will end in a tie after regulation time. This distinction is the key to successfully navigating this popular betting market.
What is a 3-Way Moneyline?
A 3-way moneyline is a type of sports bet that offers three possible outcomes for a single game: Team A wins, Team B wins, or a Draw (tie). Unlike a traditional 2-way moneyline where the draw option leads to a push, in a 3-way moneyline, the draw is a distinct betting choice. If you bet on a team to win and the game ends in a tie, your bet is graded as a loss.
The most important rule to remember with this type of wager is that it is almost always graded based on the result at the end of regulation time. This includes 90 minutes plus injury time in soccer and the three 20-minute periods in hockey. Any events that occur in overtime or a shootout do not affect the outcome of a 3-way moneyline bet. If the game is tied at the end of regulation, the Draw is the winning outcome, regardless of which team eventually wins in extra time.
How Does a 3-Way Moneyline Work?
When you look at a 3-way moneyline at a sportsbook, you will see odds listed for all three potential results. The bettor must select the single outcome they believe will occur. The odds for each choice reflect its perceived probability, with favorites having lower payouts and underdogs or a draw offering higher returns.
The three options are always exclusive:
- Bet on the Home Team: This bet wins only if the home team has scored more goals than the away team at the end of regulation time.
- Bet on the Away Team: This bet wins only if the away team has scored more goals than the home team at the end of regulation time.
- Bet on the Draw: This bet wins only if both teams have scored the same number of goals at the end of regulation time.
Because the possibility of a win is split three ways instead of two, the odds on a favorite to win are generally more favorable in a 3-way market compared to a 2-way market. This is because the risk is higher; a draw results in a loss rather than a refund.
Examples of 3-Way Moneyline Bets
Seeing the 3-way moneyline in action is the best way to understand its mechanics. The concept is applied similarly across different sports, with the main constant being the regulation time rule.
Soccer Betting Example
Soccer is the most common sport for 3-way moneyline betting, as draws are a frequent result. Consider a hypothetical English Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal.
| Team / Outcome | 3-Way Moneyline Odds |
| Manchester City | -120 |
| Arsenal | +300 |
| Draw | +280 |
Here is how to interpret these odds and potential bets:
- A bet on Manchester City at -120 means you must wager $120 to win $100. This bet only wins if Manchester City is ahead at the end of 90 minutes plus injury time.
- A bet on Arsenal at +300 means a $100 wager would win $300. This bet only wins if Arsenal is leading after regulation time.
- A bet on the Draw at +280 means a $100 wager would win $280. This bet only wins if the score is tied after regulation time (e.g., 0-0, 1-1, 2-2).
If you bet on Manchester City to win and the game ends in a 1-1 draw, your bet loses. The Draw is the winning outcome.
Hockey Betting Example
In the NHL, the 3-way moneyline is often called the 60 Minute Line because it settles at the end of three 20-minute periods. This is a crucial distinction from the standard 2-way hockey moneyline, which includes overtime and shootouts.
Let’s look at an example for a game between the Florida Panthers and the Edmonton Oilers.
| Team / Outcome | 3-Way Moneyline Odds (60 Min) |
| Florida Panthers | +140 |
| Edmonton Oilers | +150 |
| Draw | +320 |
The betting scenarios are as follows:
- A bet on the Florida Panthers at +140 wins if they lead at the end of the third period.
- A bet on the Edmonton Oilers at +150 wins if they are ahead after 60 minutes.
- A bet on the Draw at +320 wins if the score is tied after 60 minutes.
Imagine you bet on the Oilers to win. The score is 2-2 at the end of the third period, and the Oilers go on to score the winning goal in overtime. In this case, your 3-way moneyline bet on the Oilers would be a loss. The winning bet was the Draw, because that was the result at the conclusion of regulation play.
Key Takeaways for Beginners
For those new to this type of wager, remembering a few core principles is essential for avoiding common mistakes. Understanding what a 3-way moneyline is can open up new opportunities, especially in soccer and hockey.
- Three Possible Outcomes: The bet includes a win for either team or a draw. There are no pushes or refunds for a tie.
- Regulation Time is Key: The wager is decided based on the score at the end of the game’s standard regulation period.
- Overtime Does Not Count: For sports like hockey, what happens in overtime or a shootout is irrelevant to the 3-way moneyline outcome.
- A Draw is a Loss: If you bet on a team to win and the game ends in a tie after regulation, your wager is graded as a loss.
- Better Odds, Higher Risk: The odds for a team to win are often more attractive on a 3-way line, but this comes with the added risk of losing on a draw.
Ultimately, the 3-way moneyline is a fundamental bet type in international sports markets. By fully grasping that it is a bet on one of three distinct regulation-time outcomes, bettors can make more informed decisions and better evaluate the odds offered by sportsbooks.
