Sports betting odds explained: How to read and calculate them
Betting on sports is a favorite pastime that could bring massive profits, helping bettors understand the odds. With modern sports betting platforms, players have a chance to use a variety of calculation methods on online betting sites where they bet on various sports markets. Some find it challenging to determine all facts and figures. To simplify this process, our experts came up with a brief yet helpful guide. Understanding odds increases your probability of winning, so we’ll show you how to read, interpret, and estimate in the best possible way.
Reading Different Betting Odds Types
For newbies to sports betting, certain elements on a betting sheet or app might seem unfamiliar. A crucial aspect to grasp is the functioning of betting odds and their significance. Initially, they are displayed in various formats, and their interpretation varies based on the sportsbook’s chosen system. They represent the probability of a particular outcome. The higher the odds, the less likely the result, and vice versa. So when you bet on sports, the less likely the outcome, the more you potentially win if you wager on it. Typically, there are three prevalent methods through which top-rated online sports betting platforms present their odds.
Moneyline odds
Moneylines, often referred to as American odds, are common in the United States. They display the amount of profit players can take from a bet founded on the stake amount. Although prevalent in the USA, moneyline spread to other parts of the world. Sometimes, you’ll encounter their terminology and presentation in a slightly different form, but there’s no doubt about the type when betting on NCAA, NFL, CFL, and other American team competitions.
Betting sites express these odds as positive or negative numbers:
Positive (+) indicates the potential profit you can make on a $100 bet. For example, if you see +250 odds, a $100 wager would yield a $250 profit in addition to your initial stake.
Negative (-) represents the amount you need to wager to make a $100 profit. For instance, with -150 odds, you would have to bet $150 to win $100 in profit.
Decimal odds
Decimal is another standard way, but they are more forthright and user-friendly compared to moneyline. The so-called European odds are expressed as numbers, usually with two decimal places. To compute potential profit, multiply your stake by the indicated numbers. The total payout is the sum of your initial stake and the profit.
Sportsbooks mainly use this type in football, tennis, basketball, and athletics. Moreover, you’ll uncover them in horse racing, too. Bettors like these odds since it’s simpler to sum potential payouts without the need for complex calculations.
Fractional odds
Many know them as British odds due to their prevalence in the United Kingdom and Ireland, spreading from there to the rest of the globe. Here, the figures stand as a fraction formatted as “numerator/denominator.” The numerator represents the potential profit, and the denominator represents your stake.
Deeply rooted in the traditional British betting culture, fractions have a long history. You’ll encounter them as regulars in horse racing, Gaelic sports, football, rugby, and other popular markets in the UK and Ireland. Bettors in the Commonwealth scheme still understand fractions better than other formats, even though decimal and moneyline have become more prevalent.
Calculating Betting Odds
Calculating different odds types depends on their respective format. Moneyline aims for a straightforward understanding of potential payouts for a given bet. Thus, it’s accessible to a wide range of bettors. Let’s check an example using a Canadian football league betting game: Toronto Argonauts have +120, and Winnipeg Blue Bombers have -140. This means that if you bet $100 on Toronto’s win, you’d profit $120. Conversely, if you bet $140 on the Blue Bombers’ win, you’d generate $100.
In decimals, for example, Real Madrid has 2.50, while CFL Manchester City has 1.80. For a winning bet on Real, the total payout is $100×2.50=$250 (your original $100 stake + $150 profit). When betting on Manchester, the total payout is $180 using the same calculation method.
Finally, with fractions, in an NFL team example, the Ravens have 5/1, and the Raiders have 3/2. So, a winning Ravens bet of $100 grants a potential profit of $500: $100x(5/1), summing up your original $100 stake with a profit of $400. For the other team, a $100 bet results in a gain of $100 x (3/2) = $150, with your original $100 stake + a $50 profit.
Interpreting football betting odds
Understanding odds is essential for smart betting. Although formats differ, the basics stay the same. Different odds types might be confusing, but many sportsbooks have conversion tools. For example, you can quickly switch positive moneylines to decimals with just one click, saving you from math.
Here’s how to interpret odds in distinct forms using an NFL example:
| Bet | Decimal | Fractional | American | $10 Wager Payout |
| Los Angeles Raiders win | 2.25 | 5/4 | +125 | $22.50 |
| Draw | 3.15 | 43/20 | +215 | $31.50 |
| Baltimore Ravens win | 3.35 | 47/20 | +235 | $33.50 |
Remember, odds reflect the bookmakers’ view on event likelihood. Lower odds suggest higher chances, while higher odds mean lower odds. When interpreting them on the best football betting sites, consider the bet type (moneyline, point spread, over/under) and the specific sport you’re betting on. Boost your winning odds by doing thorough research before betting.
Wrapping Up
To sum up, bettors rely on odds when deciding on which events to bet on and how much to wager. Sportsbooks set their offers through complex calculations of the likelihood of each betting market’s outcome. Moreover, betting sites take into account the money that gamblers wager on each outcome. Thus, with new information influx or with more money wagered, odds change over time. To increase your winning chance, it’s vital to differentiate diverse kinds across markets and regions worldwide. You might spot better winning chances expressed differently.
The good thing is that sportsbooks will show you the probable winnings, no matter the format chosen. This clears you from doing the math as described in the article and lets you focus on pure betting. Of course, doing homework before starting wagering for real money is a responsible and prudent move for each successful bettor.
