Moneyline 3 Way Meaning: Complete Guide
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Last Updated: 8 August, 2025
A 3-way moneyline is a sports bet that offers three outcomes: Team A wins, Team B wins, or the game ends in a tie.
This is different from a regular moneyline, which only offers two options, win or lose.
With a 3-way moneyline, a tie is its own betting outcome.
If you bet on a team to win and the game ends tied at the end of regulation, your bet loses.
This format is most common in soccer and hockey, but it's also available in baseball, football, and even 3-way moneyline basketball under certain sportsbook rules.
Difference between moneyline and 3 way moneyline
The main difference between moneyline and 3 way moneyline is the tie.
A regular moneyline (also called a two-way moneyline) only has two outcomes: one team wins, or the other team wins.
If the game ends in a tie at the end of regulation, most sportsbooks count it as a push and refund your bet.
A 3 way moneyline includes the tie as a third option.
So if you bet on a team to win and the game ends in a draw, you lose your bet even if that team goes on to win in overtime or a shootout.
Because it adds more risk, the moneyline 3-way usually offers better odds for picking a winner.
But you’re also more likely to lose if the game is close.
Pros and cons of 3-way moneyline betting
Pros
- ✅ Better payouts: 3-way odds usually offer higher returns than standard moneylines, especially on favorites
- ✅ More options: You can bet on a tie as its own outcome, which is helpful in sports like soccer
- ✅ Good value in the right spots: In soccer or 3 way moneyline NHL bets, regulation outcomes can often be predicted with solid research
Cons
- ❌ Higher risk: If you bet on a team to win and the game ends in a tie, you lose—even if your team wins later in OT
- ❌ Not ideal for close matchups: When games are likely to go to overtime, 3-way bets lose value quickly
- ❌ Not always offered: Markets like 3-way moneyline basketball or baseball are rare and sometimes confusing if you don’t read the terms
How does a 3-way moneyline work in different sports?
The 3 way moneyline meaning changes slightly depending on the sport, but the core idea stays the same: you’re betting on Team A to win, Team B to win, or for the game to end in a tie at the end of regulation.
Some sports, like soccer and hockey, use 3-way moneylines as the default.
Others, like basketball, baseball, and football, offer them as niche options or special markets.
The table below shows how 3-way moneyline bets work across major sports and what to expect when placing one.
3-way moneyline soccer meaning
On a soccer betting site, a 3-way moneyline is the standard bet type.
You can bet on Team A, Team B, or a draw (tie) at the end of regulation (90 minutes plus stoppage time).
If the match ends in a draw and you didn’t bet on that outcome, you lose, even if your team wins in extra time or penalties.
That’s the key part of the 3-way moneyline soccer meaning.
Because ties are common in soccer, this format gives you more betting options, but also requires sharper picks.
It’s one reason 3-way moneyline soccer bets are often better priced than standard “draw no bet” options.
3 way moneyline NHL
In hockey, a 3 way moneyline NHL bet applies to the score at the end of regulation time (60 minutes).
You can bet on Team A to win, Team B to win, or the game to be tied after three periods.
If the game goes to overtime, it doesn’t matter who wins there; your bet is already settled.
The 3 way moneyline hockey format is useful when you expect a strong regulation result.
It often pays better on NHL betting sites than the two-way moneyline but carries more risk due to the high number of NHL games that go to OT.
3-way moneyline basketball
Basketball games almost never end in ties.
But some sportsbooks online offer a 3-way moneyline basketball option based on regulation time.
That means if you bet on the Celtics to win and the game is tied at the end of the fourth quarter, you lose, even if they win in overtime.
This type of bet is rare but can offer strong payouts if you expect a team to finish it in regulation.
Just be sure to check the rules at your basketball sportsbook.
Some use alternate terms like “60-minute line” or “regulation time only.”
3-way moneyline baseball
Like basketball, baseball games don’t end in ties.
But some sports betting apps offer 3-way moneyline baseball bets based on the result after nine innings.
If the score is tied after nine and goes to extra innings, your bet loses, unless you picked the “tie” option.
These are often called “9-inning lines” and offer higher payouts for regulation wins.
This is a niche market, but if you expect a team to take control early, it can offer good value on a baseball betting site.
3-way moneyline football
In the NFL, 3-way moneyline football bets are sometimes offered, mostly in regular-season games.
Here, a tie counts only if the score is even after overtime.
That’s rare, but it does happen.
Because ties are so uncommon in the NFL, the draw payout can be huge, but it’s very risky.
As always, check the football sportsbook’s rules. Some may grade a game as a tie at the end of regulation, while others wait until after OT.
When to bet the 3-way moneyline
Betting a 3-way moneyline can be a smart move, but only in the right situations.
Because the tie becomes a loss (unless you bet on it), this type of wager brings more risk.
But it can also bring bigger payouts.
Here’s when we look at the 3-way moneyline:
1. When you expect a regulation win: If you’re confident a team will finish the job in regular time, especially in soccer or hockey, 3-way odds usually offer better value than the two-way moneyline.
2. When the odds gap is worth the risk: If the 3 way moneyline gives you a big jump in payout compared to the standard line, and you think a tie is unlikely, it may be worth taking the shot.
3. When the puck line or spread feels too risky: In 3 way moneyline hockey, this bet can be a middle ground between a basic win and a -1.5 puck line. You don’t need a blowout, just a win in 60 minutes.
4. When you see soft lines: Books sometimes misprice 3-way markets, especially in lower leagues or games with low betting volume. Watch for value plays, especially in 3-way moneyline soccer or international hockey.
3-way bets can be high-risk, high-reward.
Use them when you’ve got a strong read, not just for the bigger number.
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Josh Miller
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Josh Miller, Sporting Post’s Sports & Casino Editor, brings over five years of experience in feature writing, blogging, and SEO.
With a strong background in football coverage and sports betting, his work has been featured in VAVEL.
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Bradley Gibbs
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With over 12 years of experience, Bradley Gibbs is a seasoned sports betting writer and analyst specializing in uncovering value bets across football, horse racing, tennis, and golf.
His extensive coverage of these sports has been featured on numerous websites and in The Racing & Football Outlook, a renowned UK betting publication.
Bradley's expertise lies in identifying betting edges and delivering insightful, data-driven content for informed wagering.