Moneyline, spread or total: which bet costs the least?
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On a game's main lines the three markets cost about the same, within a point of each other. The real differences are by sport, by book, and above all between main lines and everything else.
How the three markets are priced
A spread or total is usually offered near -110 on both sides, a cut of about 4.76%. A moneyline's cut depends on the price: lopsided games often carry a bigger cut on the moneyline, because the favourite's side is shaded more. The vig calculator shows any market's cut from its odds.
Measured across every book
From Oct 28, 2026 to Nov 11, 2026, across 12 sportsbooks on every game we cover:
| Market | Average cut |
|---|---|
| Moneyline | 4.91% |
| Spread | 5.06% |
| Total | 5.31% |
The moneyline was the cheapest market to bet on average, the total the dearest. It varies by sport and book: each book's breakdown.
Where the cut really jumps
- Alternate lines. Moving a spread or total off the main number usually costs a bigger cut.
- Parlays. Each leg's cut compounds, so a four-leg parlay can carry several times a single bet's.
- Player props and futures. Often priced well above main lines.
The cheapest bet is a main line at whichever book prices it best that day. The board compares them game by game.
Related
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