Learning how to read odds is the foundation of developing a successful sports betting strategy. So how do odds work anyway? Betting odds are determined by a number of calculations factored in by sportsbook providers. Learning how to read odds and what to use that information for will help you make successful wagers.
Betting odds matter because they tell you how much you could potentially win on a particular wager. Learn how to read odds correctly and you will be able to calculate what your exact return will be if your bet is correct. There is more on that subject in the following section where we have implied probability and betting odds explained. Of course, you can also increase the value of a given bet by taking advantage of welcome offers, for example by using a BetMGM promo code. The standard format for printing betting odds varies depending on the sport.
Football will most often be displayed with American odds, while soccer is more likely to show fractional odds. Read on to see an explanation of how to read odds in any of these formats. Learning this method of how to read odds is a crucial skill in sports betting. By placing wagers on outcomes that you have determined are more likely than the sportsbook sees the outcome, you increase the value of your bets and increase your chance of getting a return on your investment.
The chance of a particular outcome occurring that a sportsbook has calculated is called the implied probability. Among other things, understanding odds helps determine bet sizes, payouts, and how to discover and exploit value in a betting line.
The following breakdown educates new bettors about how to read and understand betting odds—and how to turn that knowledge into profit. How Odds Correlate with Payouts The first thing to know about betting odds is what they represent. They also reflect how much money bettors must risk to win a specific amount—that is, the potential payout. What is the Vigorish? A good example would be a coin toss that has an equal chance of landing either heads or tails. The equation is slightly different for underdogs and favorites.
Odds with a negative - symbol indicate the betting favorite. What is Chalk in Sports Betting? A small chalk, then, would be a slight favorite.