How to read American odds
US sportsbooks quote prices as American (moneyline) odds. A number with a minus sign is a favorite, a number with a plus sign is an underdog. Here is what each one means.
The two signs
- Minus (-150): how much you must bet to win $100. At -150 you bet $150 to win $100 (plus your stake back).
- Plus (+150): how much you win on a $100 bet. At +150 a $100 bet wins $150 (plus your stake back).
Payout examples
| Odds | Bet | Profit if it wins | Total returned |
|---|---|---|---|
| -110 | $110 | $100.00 | $210.00 |
| -250 | $100 | $40.00 | $140.00 |
| +150 | $100 | $150.00 | $250.00 |
| +400 | $100 | $400.00 | $500.00 |
Why -110 shows up everywhere
Point spreads and totals are usually priced at -110 on both sides. A bettor needs to risk $110 to win $100, so the sportsbook keeps the difference when the money is balanced. That built-in margin is called the vig (or juice). See implied probability and the vig for the math.
Converting to decimal odds
- Plus odds:
decimal = 1 + odds / 100. For +150, 1 + 1.5 = 2.50. - Minus odds:
decimal = 1 + 100 / |odds|. For -150, 1 + 0.667 = 1.667.
Decimal odds include your stake, so a 2.50 price pays $250 on a $100 bet. Try it in the odds converter.
Remember: odds describe a price, not a prediction. Longer odds mean a lower implied chance, and
nobody can promise a result. Please gamble responsibly: get help.