Betting Odds Explained: How to Read Sports Betting Odds

These incidents may not correlate with the outcome of a game or even the final score unlike point spreads, totals or straight-up bets. Decimals quote the potential return if the bet succeeds, relative to the stake. If $10 is bet at odds of 4, the total returned is $40 ($10 x 4) and the potential profit is $30 ($10 x 4 minus the $10 stake). There are three methods of stating odds that most bookmakers and websites support. But there’s also a fourth- implied probability – that is also useful when evaluating a bet or checking how likely an outcome is.

Best Online Sports Betting Sites USA : Top 9 Sportsbooks

A wide range of contact options and quick issue resolution are preferred in online betting sites. The user interface of Thunderpick is designed to cater specifically to esports enthusiasts, with features that enhance the overall betting experience. From live betting options to detailed statistics and insights, Thunderpick ensures that users are well-informed and able to make strategic wagers. In addition to its user-friendly design, MyBookie offers attractive bonuses that enhance the overall betting experience. New users can take advantage of generous promotions, while existing users benefit from ongoing offers and rewards. The site’s excellent customer service further adds to its appeal, with responsive support channels available to assist bettors with their needs.

Live Sports Betting Odds

The ones we work with will generally list decimal as the second most popular option after American odds. Many of the top sportsbooks have a bet calculator installed that will show you what you stand to win. A minus symbol will denote the favorite, while the underdog will have a plus sign. Most of the reputable sportsbooks we work with will use moneyline odds based on wagers of $100, as it is a simple, round number.

Decimal odds

It’s convenient and allows you to place bets, track odds, and manage your account on the go. Odds can make or break your betting experience, as they directly influence your potential returns. Taking the time to compare odds across different betting sites can uncover opportunities for better payouts. Tools and websites dedicated to odds comparison can be invaluable, saving you time and providing a clear picture of the best available odds for any given event. Not only does this type of betting cater to sports bettors watching the game live, but it also serves those following the action via updates or commentary.

Converting American Odds to Implied Probability

With our sports betting calculator, you enter their odds in the American Odds section to see the potential payout. A parlay is a combination bet including two or more “straight” or “single” wagers (spreads, moneylines and totals), although other bet types can sometimes be used. If all the picks in your parlay come true, the payouts are multiplied together instead of added – but if even one pick fails, the entire parlay loses.

Profit

Whether you’re interested in NFL, NBA, golf tournaments, or other sporting events, BetOnline has you covered with a wide range of betting markets. BetUS stands out as a premier online betting site, offering a wide array of sports and betting options. From NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, to college sports, BetUS covers more than 30 sports, ensuring that users have plenty of choices when it comes to placing bets. The platform’s user-friendly interface makes it easy for both novice and experienced sports bettors to navigate and find the best betting markets.

Odds Shark’s Sports Gambling Guides

We’ll examine a few different methods and explain how to read the corresponding NBA odds. With features designed to enhance your betting on the go, mobile apps are an indispensable tool for the modern bettor. Now, for the moment you’ve been waiting for—claiming your welcome bonus. Most sites offer bonuses on your first deposit, which can significantly enhance your initial bankroll.

Compare CFL Odds & Lines

For this reason, we recommend sticking to odds in decimal format, which allows you to compare odds at a glance, with no need for hasty mental maths, or to memorise fractional equivalents. There are an enormous number of sports betting terms, some more obscure than others, but we’ve listed some of the most common odds-related terms below. For a favourite, the odds indicate the amount you have to bet in order to win £100 (or, as they’re more commonly used in the US, $100).

Top Sports Betting Sites in 2025

OddsTrader has you covered with the most up-to-date sports betting odds today and betting lines for your favorite sports leagues like the NFL, NBA, MLB and more. We help bettors keep up with the latest futures odds, and offer a variety of quick betting guides to help you get started. In American sports betting, odds are typically expressed with a plus (+) or minus (–) symbol followed by a number.

NHL Odds & Lines

This allows bettors to wager not only on the winner but over or under the bookmaker’s predicted point spread. Negative numbers (in American moneyline odds) are reserved for the favorite on the betting line and indicate how much you need to stake to win $100. Conversely, positive numbers are attached to the underdog and refer to the amount you could win if you bet $100. You stand to make more money on positive odds, but the chances of a win are lower. The decimal odds number represents the amount the bettor could take home for every $1 wagered—the total payout rather than just the profit. In other words, your stake is already included in the decimal number (no need to add back your stake), which makes the calculation easier.

Live Betting and Same Game Parlays

It’s worth noting that at one time, DraftKings and FanDuel intended to merge into one company. That should give you an indication of how well received FanDuel is among the sports betting community. Clearly, though, the deal didn’t go through, as it sports betting roi calculator was blocked by the FTC over fears of creating a monopoly. You can always find a new promo being offered, and this helps keep bettors coming back for more. Currently, FanDuel is offering up to $1,000 in site credits if you don’t win your first bet.

It’s incredibly important to us that our players are receiving the best odds and odds quality to make their betting experience better than ever before. In addition to pre-match markets being available, you can also find live odds and keep up to date with live scores in your favourite leagues or tournaments. Betting markets and odds comparison can be found for all of the most well-known sports like football, tennis and basketball, but also for more niche sports like Aussie rules, futsal, and more. Football, basketball, baseball, hockey, UFC and soccer are the most popular categories at U.S. sportsbooks. You would win $13 against every $5 you wager on Brooklyn to be the champions.

Instead, a sportsbook will take a percentage out of the $40, leaving you with about $38 or more depending on the site. In contrast, high odds indicate that a bookmaker believes an event is less likely to happen. These cryptocurrencies provide quick and secure deposit and withdrawal options. This extensive range allows you to tailor your betting strategy to your preferences and expertise. Our rankings have been updated for 2025 to provide you with the most current information.

Betting on the Moneyline

• First, they show the possibility of an outcome occurring in a game or event.
• The higher the odds, the more a bettor will get if they win their bet, while lower odds will result in a much more modest return.
• Betting on the underdog with the point spread allows that team to lose the contest, as long as it’s not by more than the posted number.
• Lower odds, like 2/5, mean you have to bet more to earn less, indicating a favored outcome.
• Ongoing discussions and advocacy for the benefits of legalized sports betting continue to drive legislative efforts in various states.
• Bookies manipulate their odds to guarantee themselves profits (more on that later), often resulting in a skewed set of odds for many events.
• In today’s fast-paced world, mobile betting apps have become a game-changer, offering the ultimate in convenience and accessibility.
• Used mostly in the United Kingdom and Ireland, fractions quote the potential profit if the bet succeeds, relative to the stake.
• So, if the odds are 3.00, a successful $10 bet would return $30—your $10 stake plus $20 in profit.

One key strategy is to watch for momentum shifts within a game, which can often signal an opportunity to place a favorable bet before the odds adjust. Similarly, being aware of game context—such as a team’s tendency to perform better in certain periods—can inform your live betting decisions. These can include wagering requirements, time limits, and game restrictions, which all dictate how you can use and withdraw any potential winnings from the bonus. Pay attention to these details to fully leverage the bonus to your advantage. With the right approach, these bonuses can provide a substantial boost to your betting strategy and overall enjoyment of the game. Ideally, you want to go for a sportsbook with a lower vig since it means you keep more of your winnings to yourself.

Your One-Stop Shop ForEverything Sports Betting

It is important to note that sports betting is something you do at your own risk. Effective customer support includes timely assistance and prompt issue resolution through various channels such as live chat, phone, and email. Platforms like Bovada Sportsbook are known for their helpful and professional customer support, ensuring that users’ issues are resolved efficiently.

The only trouble with fractional odds is that it can be quite difficult to compare them, especially if you’re not yet very comfortable with reading them. This means that you might not always be certain of whether one set of odds is better than another. At first glance, fractional betting odds can look very confusing, but they’re reasonably straightforward once you know your way around them. Betting on NFL spreads is the cornerstone of pro football wagering and a favorite among pro bettors and beginners alike.

• Implied probability is the expected possibility of an outcome occurring as established by bookmakers.
• The higher the total payout (i.e., the higher the decimal odds), the less probable it is that the candidate will win (in the bookmaker’s opinion), and the riskier the bet is.
• You can see the calculated stakes for each outcome by entering how much you want to wager in total, and the profit you will make.
• If an athlete or a team has a minus sign (-) in front of their odds, they are usually the favorite.
• All of these factors add to the excitement of your betting experience.
• Don’t miss our expert Super Bowl picks for all the available betting markets or read our Super Bowl prediction for Super Bowl 2025 ahead of the game on Sunday, February 9.
• We have all of the standings available for you in one place for all of the football leagues worldwide, both the top leagues and even the small, local leagues.

Best Market Variety Among Sports Gambling Sites

Here, the Lightning are the short favorites, so if you backed the Buffalo Sabres with a $100 wager, and they won, you would make $145 in profit. Odds Shark also covers UFC, boxing, soccer, horse racing and NASCAR, along with other markets such as the Olympics and esports. Odds Shark has enlisted experts to help explain sports and poker odds, and casino pros who can advise on the math behind Kentucky Derby. This allows them to ensure that they make their profit regardless of the outcome of that event. Moneyline odds are probably the most awkward to convert to probability, as you have two different calculations to perform depending on whether the odds are positive or negative.

Licensed by Curacao, BetNow offers a secure betting environment with a variety of mainstream sports such as NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB. After the game, if you look at the scores and odds and see that the Cowboys beat the Eagles 27-24, you would’ve cashed $147.62 in winnings if you bet $100 on the Dallas moneyline (-210). Check out our odds calculator to help you determine potential payouts on all your bets. A spread bet on the Cowboys, however, would not have won because they didn’t win by over 4.5 points. Moreover, BetOnline’s live betting interface is intuitive and easy to navigate, making it suitable for both seasoned bettors and newcomers. Whether you’re betting on the next touchdown or the final score, BetOnline provides a thrilling live betting experience that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

This means that you can compare odds across several bookmakers to get the best betting odds for single bets, or combinations. Thanks to odds comparisons from the best online bookmakers, we ensure that players are getting the best betting odds, which will result in a bigger payout if their bet is to win. Sportsbooks will assign a handicap to the stronger team (the moneyline favorite). We’ll also show you how and where to bet safely at the best legal sports betting sites. Wager on sports from the comfort of your own home via your desktop computer or tablet, or bet on the go via mobile betting with your favorite mobile device. These numbers represent the amount you could win against each $1 you put at stake.