American Odds Explained
American odds use plus and minus numbers. Once you know what each sign means, you can work out the payout on any bet. Today's picks are on the picks page at /picks.
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Minus numbers: the favorite
A minus number shows how much you must risk to win 100. At -200, you risk $200 to win $100. The team is the favorite, which means the book thinks it is more likely to win.
To find the profit on any stake, multiply the stake by 100 and divide by the number without its sign. A $50 bet at -200 wins 50 x 100 / 200 = $25. A $10 bet wins $5.
Plus numbers: the underdog
A plus number shows how much you win on a 100 bet. At +150, a $100 bet wins $150. The team is the underdog, so the book pays more because a win is less likely.
For other stakes, multiply the stake by the number and divide by 100. A $20 bet at +150 wins 20 x 150 / 100 = $30. A $10 bet wins $15.
Profit versus total payout
The numbers above are profit. Your stake comes back on top of it when you win. The $100 bet at +150 returns $250 in total: $150 profit plus your $100. The $50 bet at -200 returns $75: $25 profit plus your $50.
- Plus odds: profit = stake x odds / 100
- Minus odds: profit = stake x 100 / the number without its minus sign
- Total return = stake + profit
Favorites versus underdogs
A favorite wins more often but pays less per bet. An underdog wins less often but pays more. Neither is better by default, because the price already reflects how likely the book thinks each result is.
A price of -110 or +100 sits near the middle. As the numbers move away from 100 in either direction, the gap between the two teams grows.
Bets can lose, and nobody should bet money they cannot afford to lose. Bettors must be 21 or older where betting is legal. If gambling is a problem for you or someone you know, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Questions
What is the difference between +150 and -150?
At +150, a $100 bet wins $150. At -150, you must risk $150 to win $100. They sit on opposite sides of even money.
Is +100 the same as -100?
Yes. Both mean even money, where a $100 bet wins $100. Books usually write it as +100.
Do American odds include my stake?
The number describes profit. If the bet wins, your stake is returned in addition to that profit.
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