Odds Intro

The odds are the determining factor on how much profit a successful bet will produce. American odds (or moneyline odds) are the most common odds listed at American sportsbooks. European (decimal) odds are the most commonly used type of betting odds around the world. 

America, as always, chooses to do it their own way. The odds for a favorite are accompanied by a positive (+) sign and the odds for an underdog are accompanied by a negative (-) sign. How to read a bet’s odds changes whether they are positive odds or negative odds. 

American odds are typically listed at a sportsbook like this:

Odds Terms To Know

Positive Odds: The plus sign preceding the 200 on the odds above shows the odds are positive. The number following the plus sign shows how much money you will profit when betting $100.

Ex. If you wagered $100 on the Away Teams moneyline listed above (+200), you would stand to profit $200.

Negative Odds: The minus sign preceding the 200 on the odds above shows the odds are negative. The number following the minus sign shows much money you would have to bet in order to profit $100

Ex. If you wagered $200 on the Home Team’s moneyline listed above (-200), you would stand to profit $100. 

Profit: The money you earn in addition to what is risked on a winning bet. 

Ex. If you successfully wagered $100 on the Away Team’s moneyline (+200), you’d receive the $100 you bet back plus the $200 profit for winning the bet.