In the following article Betting Odds Explained, we will give you detailed explanations about the three most popular betting odds formats worldwide – decimal, fractional and American odds. We understand very well that calculating and understanding betting odds can be quite confusing, especially for new players. That’s why we have provided all the necessary information, along with helpful examples, that will help you learn how to calculate your potential profits when betting on sports games.

Feb 27, 2020 Read sporting odds as the likelihood that one team, athlete, or horse, will win. The most common use of odds is found when placing a bet on a sporting event. Betting agencies use historical data and team statistics to predict who is more likely to win. Whoever has the highest odds is considered the 'favorite.'

Sports Gambling Odds

Most of the best sports betting sites will display the betting odds in different formats based on the sport and the location you’re betting from. More often than not, online bookmakers allow punters to change the odds formats for bigger convenience. This is a great feature that will help you enjoy online sports betting to the fullest, even if you’re not familiar with a particular betting odds type. Feel free to use the quick navi menu below, and jump straight to the topic that most interests you.

Decimal Odds

Decimal odds are without a doubt the most popular type of odds around the world. They are the preferred betting odds format for millions of punters worldwide because converting them to probabilities is very easy, so is calculating profits. They display the total return from a 1 unit stake. They always have a greater value than 1 because the unit stake is always included. Examples for decimal odds are 1.50, 5.00, 10.75, etc.

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• Read sporting odds as the likelihood that one team, athlete, or horse, will win. The most common use of odds is found when placing a bet on a sporting event. Betting agencies use historical data and team statistics to predict who is more likely to win. Whoever has the highest odds is considered the 'favorite.'

An interesting fact is that decimal odds are commonly called European odds in the United Kingdom, because UK punters are used to playing with fractional odds. All the major online sports betting sites, as well as the most popular land-based sportsbooks in the UK, display the odds in fractional formats. Decimal odds are essentially equivalent to the decimal value of the fractional odds, plus one.

Decimal odds are most commonly used when playing at the top football betting sites. As we mention earlier, most online betting sites offer the opportunity to switch between betting odds formats, so you shouldn’t worry if you prefer the operator to display the odds in different formats. In the table below, you can see our selection for the best online sportsbook that offers odds in decimal format.

As we said, calculating payouts with decimal odds is very simple. All you have to do is multiply your wager by the decimal odds, and you’ll have the total amount that you’re playing for. If you want to calculate the exact profit you’re playing for, here is the formula that you should follow: (odds x stake) – stake = winnings.

In order to be completely thorough and informative, we will give you an example with a real money bet. We’ll take the odds from football’s biggest rivalry in the United Kingdom (and maybe even in the world) – the game between Liverpool and Manchester United. The two most successful clubs in English football history meet at least twice per year, and more often than not, the odds for either team winning are quite similar.

The decimal odds offered by the upper-mentioned online sportsbook for a Liverpool win are 2.00, which means that if you stake £100, you will win a total of £200, which is £100 profit. The decimal odds for a draw are 3.60 (£260 profit with a £100 bet), and for a Manchester United win are 3.50 (£250 profit with a £100 bet). Keep in mind that these odds are just examples, and their value might change in time.

Fractional Odds

As we move further in our Betting Odds Explained article, it’s time to have a look at probably the oldest form of betting odds – Fractional odds. They are most commonly used in the United Kingdom and Ireland. They are also known as UK odds, or even traditional odds, as after all, the United Kingdom is one of the locations with the best developed online betting industry. Historically, fractional odds were used mostly in horse racing, and in time they became the standard odds format in the UK for all sports.

Fractional odds are a simple reflection of the return you will receive for a certain bet amount. They are displayed with a / and expressed as three to two (3/2), for example. Calculating your potential profit might not seem as easy as with decimal odds, but trust us, it isn’t hard either. Most of the best new betting sites do use fractional odds as the default betting odds type. You can see our recommendation for the best online sportsbook that offers fractional odds in the table below.

Not only that the upper-mentioned online betting site is among the best live betting sites in the UK, but it also grants punters with a plethora of betting opportunities and many valuable bonuses. Oh, and it is the official betting partner of the English Premier League club West Ham United, making it a no-brainer for any punter who supports the Hammers.

Now, we move on to the example of how to calculate your winnings when betting with fractional odds. After all, this Betting Odds Explained guide not only gives you definitions but also helpful models that you can take as examples. We’ll move on from the greatest English football rivalry and go to the most prestigious tennis tournament – Wimbledon. Let’s take a look at the tennis matchup between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

The easiest way to read and calculate fractional odds is to think of the odds in the following way: the amount you will win/the amount you bet. Turning this into a formula, it would look like this: winnings = stake x odds. Let’s say you want to bet on Federer to win the match at fractional odds of 3/4. If you bet £100, you will win a total of £175, which is a £75 profit. Did you get it?

Just in case, we’ll give you one more example. The odds for a win for Nadal are 6/4, which means that for every £4 you stake, you would earn £6. Can you figure out what your potential profit will be if you stake £100? Yes, it is £150 (total return £250). And in case you still have a hard time calculating your profits, just remember this: think of the number on the left of the slash ( / ) as the amount you would win if you bet the number on the right of the slash. As you can see, it is quite simple.

American Odds

As the name suggests, American odds are mostly used at sports betting sites that accept punters from the United States. This type of betting odds is also known as moneyline odds. American odds are probably the easiest to understand, and there aren’t any calculations involved, as the odds represent how much the punter would have to wager in order to win $100 or how much the win will be when the bet is $100.

American odds are two types – favourites and underdogs. Favourites come with a – sign, while underdogs come with a + sign. If you bet on the favourites (the odds start with a -), the number is the amount you need to bet in order to win $100. When you bet on the underdogs (the odds start with a +), the number shows the amount of profit you would earn when you bet $100.

American odds that start with a + are also known as positive odds, while those starting with a – are negative odds. When the American odds are positive, the higher the number – the less likely the event will occur. For example, a + 500 underdog has a better chance to win than a +900 underdog. On the other hand, the odds that come with a – sign, aka negative odds, follow the opposite formula. The higher the value of the number is, the better the chance the bet will win. For example, a -750 favourite has a better chance to win than a -400 favourite.

Now let’s give a few real money examples. We already covered two of the most popular sports in the world, so let’s now take a look at a sport that is not so commonly known, even though it does enjoy tremendous popularity in the US. Yes, we’re talking about the WWE. There are many attractive WWE betting sites that offer betting markets for some of the biggest games and the most famous WWE wrestlers.

We’ll take as an example one of the most popular current WWE stars – Roman Reigns. Obviously, most of the time, he will be listed as the favourite by the online sportsbooks, so we will use American odds of -350 for him winning a game. This means that if you want to support him, you will have to bet $350 in order to win $100. Punters who prefer supporting the underdog can catch odds close to +750. In other words, for every $100 they bet on the underdog, they will win $750.

Probability and Betting Odds Explained

Converting odds to probability is quite straightforward as well. For those of you who aren’t familiar with the term basic probability in sports betting, we’ll give you a short and easy to understand definition. Probability is a measure of how likely a certain event can happen. Normally, probability is expressed as percentages, and the higher the % is, the more likely a situation will occur.

We will give you an example of how to convert the most commonly met betting odds type – decimal odds to probability. In order to convert decimal odds to probability, all you have to do is divide 1 by the decimal odds. Here is an example: let’s say you wish to stake a bet on a market with 5.50 decimal odds. Dividing 1 by 5.50 makes 0.181, which means the probability of that event to happen is around 18%.

Best Odds Online

American Gambling Odds Explained

Regardless of the betting odds format that you prefer, you should always look for the best odds. The competition among online sportsbooks is fierce, and operators always try to figure out a way to stand out from the crowd and attract new customers. Many bookies state that they provide the best odds online, while others stick to proven strategies for alluring new players, such as attractive welcome bonuses and regular promotions.

We always recommend to our readers to make registrations at multiple online betting sites. This way, you can compare the odds and play at the online bookie that provides the best ones. And let’s not forget that having multiple sports betting accounts also allows you to take advantage of multiple sports betting bonuses. Check out the following table, where we have listed 4 of the top sports betting sites where you can play with different betting odds formats and grab fruitful welcome bonus offers.

As you can see, there are plenty of valuable welcome bonuses that you can take advantage of. Each of our recommended sites is absolutely safe to play at and possesses the required certificates in order to provide online betting services legally. Players can choose the betting odds format that they prefer and, in case of an issue, can ask the helpful customer support teams for help. On top of that, most of the online sportsbooks offer betting calculators as a feature that can help you calculate your profits or convert betting odds into different formats.

FAQ

Well, there it is. Our Betting Odds Explained article has come to an end. We hope it has been informative enough, and it has helped you get a better understanding of how betting odds work and how to calculate your potential winnings. As final remarks, we have included our own FAQ section filled with the most popular and commonly asked questions about the topic at hand.

💫 Can I change odds format at online sports betting sites?

Yes, you can. Most of the top betting sites offer the opportunity to change the betting odds format, switching between decimal, fractional and American. Normally, this feature is visible on the main page of the site, but sometimes it is located in the settings menu.

❓ How to convert decimal odds to probability?

Converting decimal odds to probability is very easy. All you have to do is divide 1 by the decimal odds and multiple the result by 100. For example, decimal odds of 3.50 represent 28% probability ((1/3.50) x 100 = 0.285 x 100 = 28.5 = 28%).

🙋 Which odds format is the most popular at online bookmakers?

This depends on the country you are betting from, but decimal odds are the most popular format globally. Fractional odds are the most famous format in the UK and Ireland, while American odds are the preferred type in the US.

🤔 Who decides the sports betting odds?

The sports betting odds, whether they’re decimal, fractional or American, are set by people known as traders or odds compilers, who have been employed by a bookmaker. The process requires a lot of research, analysis, statistical comparisons and more. After the betting odds are set, the bookies adjust them a bit in order to make a small profit margin.

🔝 How to find the best odds online?

Finding the best odds online requires you to spend some time researching and comparing the odds at different online bookmakers. Normally, the betting odds are quite similar, but don’t fool yourself, even the smallest distinction can make a huge difference in the long term. That’s why opening accounts at multiple online bookmakers is recommended.

If you’re not familiar with betting on boxing, you might need a little help in having boxing betting odds explained. That’s what we’re here to help with. On this page, we not only explain how to read betting odds, but we also go over how to bet on boxing. At boxing betting odds explained, we go over the most common wager types and the odds associated with them, so that by the time you’re ready to wager on a boxing match, you’ll feel like an expert.

Sports Gambling Odds Explained

No matter what side of the bout you choose to bet on, remember that anything can happen in boxing. Major underdogs are known to be punching bags for the title holders and favorites but this isn’t always the case. Buster Douglas knocked out Mike Tyson, giving bettors 42 times their money in 1990. More recently, a 33-1 Andy Ruiz Jr. beat Anthony Joshua in a heavyweight championship.

How To Read American Boxing Odds

When it all comes down to it, boxing betting odds are not that different than any other odds. One way to present boxing betting odds is in the standard American format. In this form, fighters will have a number associated with their name. This is their line. When it has a (-) symbol next to it, it shows they are the favorite. When it has the (+), it shows they are the underdog. A number with a (-) symbol denotes how much you would have to pay in order to make $100, while a number with a (+) symbol shows what you stand to gain based on a $100 wager.

• Manny Pacquiao -650
• Jeff Horn +425

In this situation, Pacquiao is favored. This means oddsmakers think he has a better chance to win. If you bet on him, you would have to wager $650 to win $100, if he wins the fight. If you bet on Jeff Horn, you only have to bet $100 to win $425 if he wins the match. This is because he is perceived as “less likely” to win.

Understanding Boxing Betting Odds In Fractional Form

Fractional betting odds are another common way to have a fight’s betting odds presented. Figuring out your payout when odds are in fractional form is pretty simple. The denominator (bottom number) will always show what you have to stake, while the numerator (top number) will denote what you stand to gain. You can tell a competitor is favored when the denominator is higher than the numerator.

• Manny Pacquiao 3/20
• Jeff Horn 17/4

We used the same example from before for continuity. Pacquiao is the favorite in this fight, and you would have to bet $20 just to win $3, or about .15 cents for every $1 wagered. So if you bet $100, your profit would be $15. On the other side of that, Horn is a 17/4 underdog. For every $4 risked, you earn $17, or $4.25 for every $1 wagered. On a $100 risk, you’d gain $425 if Horn were to win.

Fractional and American odds denote the same payout, you just have to calculate it a different way. 3/20 odds are the same as -650 and would earn you the same payout. Most online sports betting sites will allow you to change between the two different types of odds, as well, so you can read a boxing betting line however you’d like.

There is one more incredibly important thing to remember when it comes to reading boxing betting lines – odds are not a reflection of actual chance. Odds and betting lines are influenced by public opinion more than anything. Oddsmakers will use basic stats to formulate who is more likely to win a match, but after that, the lines move based on how bettors are wagering. So if you do your research and everything you see points to Horn being able to beat Pacquiao, don’t be intimidated by his underdog status. Your ability to read odds and truly understand how they’re formulated can help you win big.

Betting On A Fighter To Win The Fight

This is the simplest way you can bet on a fight. This is a bet on the outright winner of the match, much like a moneyline bet in other sports. This is as straightforward as you can get when betting on boxing. They’re also the most common boxing betting odds. No matter what, a match will at least have odds on who will win the fight, even if there’s no other way to wager on the fight.

Article: How To Wager on Fighters

Boxing Prop Bets Explained

Prop bets are bets made on individual aspects of a match, rather than just on the winner of the fight. So when you bet on props, you have the option to bet on the number of rounds a match will go, who will win in which round, or the method of victory by which they win. Some matches will be very high profile, and on those, you’ll generally find even more props like if the fight will go the distance or how many viewers there will be. Below are the most common boxing prop betting odds, explained.

Round Betting

Sometimes, boxing matches will have rounds betting odds. This means that you can bet on which round you think the fight will be decided in. This allows you to get a little more detailed with the wagers you’re placing. Generally, you’ll have betting odds on each round for each fighter, as well as odds on the match going to a draw or a decision. Rounds betting generally yields a much higher payout but is also a bit trickier to win. If you bet on Fighter A to win in the 12th round and he wins in the 11th, your bet is considered a loss.

Round Group Betting

If rounds betting odds are a little too adventurous for your taste, but you have an approximation of when a fighter will win, try rounds group betting. Odds for these will be assigned to a set of rounds, usually in groups of three. Betting on a rounds group yields less of a payout than just a regular round betting, but in exchange is easier to win. Betting on Fighter A to win in the 10th-12th gives you three chances to win your bet. It’s like a little safety cushion when betting on boxing.

Betting On The Fight Outcome

When betting on boxing, you will more than likely see lines on the fight outcome. This is a general way to wager on how the fight will end, and only has five options. Each fighter will be given odds to win by knockout, technical knockout, or disqualification. Each fighter will be given odds to win by decision or technical decision, and the match will be given odds to end in a draw or technical draw.

Total Rounds

Boxing totals are pretty much the same as any other betting totals, but instead of points, you’re betting on the total number of rounds the match will last. For fights that seem to be more one-sided, oddsmakers will probably favor the under, as the underdog probably won’t be able to keep up. A more even fight might see the over favored. Boxing totals betting odds can be found alongside prop bets at most sportsbooks. A subset of a total rounds bet is betting on whether the fight will go the distance. This is offered much less often, so you shouldn’t expect to see it on every fight. It’s a yes or no proposition bet, wherein you bet on whether or not the fight will last through every round.

Parlays

When you are betting on boxing, you can create a parlay card. When you wager on a parlay card, you can generally combine anywhere from 2-15 different wagers on a single card. Doing so makes the payout much more appealing than a whole bunch of singular bets. However, parlay bets are incredibly hard to win. If you’re wrong on even a single element of a parlay card, your entire bet is considered a loss.

If you do decide to create a boxing parlay bet, it will have to be a parlay card made of moneyline bets. Sportsbooks won’t create a boxing parlay with prop bets due in large part to wagering limits. So if you are ready to watch a match and like all of the fights on the card leading up to the main event, you can create a small or large parlay of all the fights to try and win a nice sum of money.

Live Betting On Boxing

While you are able to bet on boxing events before they begin, you are also able to wager of them once they have heard the first bell. With live betting, bettors can see updated odds as each second of the clock ticks off. Live betting can be tricky in boxing, as the favorite who seems to be winning can get knocked out the second after you place your wager. However, with other prop bets available, it creates more entertainment on top of the actual fight.

Bovada Sportsbook - Betting Options For Boxing on Bovada

Football Betting Odds Explained

A lot of time players get on their Bovada account and already know what they plan to bet on. The boxing fans know that they can log on to their account and find all kinds of prop bets on any match. This is why players make sure to tell others that they should join Bovada. Players also have a lot of bonuses that could make then bets even better and have them play with more money. The biggest deal here is the fact that the banking methods are also there as well for players to pick and choose from. When you know once you log into your betting account that you have a good chance to make money, your confidence in your bets goes up.

SportsBetting Sportsbook - Boxing Huge on SportsBetting

To get things started, when it comes to SportsBetting, there is not one thing bettors can’t find on this online sportsbook. All the sports that can be bet on are on SportsBetting and that includes boxing which is one sport that is known for having a lot of bettors in every match. All players have to be is 18 and older to sign up for an account here and things will be all good moving forward. Profiting is the goal so when it comes to betting on boxing matches, there are many of those prop bets here on SportsBetting. There is no reason that boxing fans should be broke when having an account with SportsBetting.

BetOnline Sportsbook - BetOnline Has Boxing As A Betting Option

Casino Gambling Odds

BetOnline is clearly the best online sportsbook here for all the big-time exotic bettors. The reason for this is there are all the things that you need here when it comes to betting and most of the time you know that when you log in that money is going to be made on BetOnline. Boxing matches will always be on BetOnline and plenty of fans will be ready to make major bets as soon as these matches show up on BetOnline. The bonuses that are offered are also here for players who like to bet on boxing as well. Already knowing that you have some money in your account ready to bet, the bonuses here are going to help players have more money as well. Checkout BetOnline and see what it brings for all players all around.

MyBookie Sportsbook - Top Sportsbook For Boxing Fans

The main thing that MyBookie has for players to bet on is all sports. The NFL and NBA are the premier sports that many players like to bet on and put big money on these games all the time. Even with that being said, boxing matches are still one of the options that players take a glance at once they long in. The number one thing that players look for when they log in is bets to where they can make a lot of money and when it comes to boxing matches, these things can end quickly and end up with a huge payout to players. The mobile betting options are here as well as having great banking methods. All bettors have to be is 18 and older to sign up for an account. Soon as players log in another thing that will pop up for them is bonuses that could change their bank account number and help what prop bets they take on these boxing matches. MyBookie is the best sportsbooks with boxing available and there is no question about it.

Vegas Sports Betting Odds Explained