How Sports Betting Odds Work

Betting odds describe a price. They determine the payout if a wager wins and can be converted into an implied probability.

Decimal odds

Decimal odds show total return per unit staked. At 2.00, a $10 winning stake returns $20 total: the original $10 plus $10 profit.

American odds

Positive American odds show profit on a $100 stake; negative odds show how much must be staked to win $100. The format changes, but the underlying price can be converted to probability.

Next: convert odds to implied probability.

Educational information only. Sports betting involves financial risk and may be restricted where you live. No page on this site guarantees profit or a winning outcome.