Here are some of the different types of odds that you may encounter, and a short explanation of how they work.
- Decimal Odds: Decimal odds are a straightforward way to express betting odds. They represent the total return on a successful bet, including both the initial stake and the profit. In this format, the odds themselves indicate how much profit you can potentially make for every unit you bet. For instance, odds of 2.50 mean that if you wager $1, your potential return would be $2.50, which includes your initial $1 stake.
- American Odds (Moneyline Odds): American odds are used primarily in the United States. They come in positive and negative forms. Positive odds, such as +200, indicate the potential profit you could make on a $100 bet, in addition to receiving your initial $100 back if your bet succeeds. Negative odds, like -150, show how much you need to bet in order to win $100 profit, and you get your initial bet back on top of that if your bet wins.
- Fractional Odds: Fractional odds are commonly used in the UK and Ireland. They are presented as a fraction, where the numerator represents the potential profit and the denominator represents the stake. For example, odds of 5/2 mean that for every $2 you wager, you could potentially win $5 in profit. This makes your total return $7, including your initial $2 stake.
- Implied Probability: Implied probability is a concept derived from odds that gives you an idea of the likelihood of an event happening. It involves converting odds into a percentage. In this context, lower odds reflect a higher implied probability of the event occurring, while higher odds indicate a lower likelihood.
- Indonesian Odds (Malay Odds): Indonesian odds, also known as Malay odds, are used in parts of Asia. Positive odds indicate potential profit relative to a stake of 1 unit. For instance, +0.50 means that if you bet 1 unit, you could potentially win 0.50 units in profit, along with your initial 1 unit bet if your bet wins. Negative odds indicate the amount you need to bet to win 1 unit of profit. For instance, -0.25 means you need to bet 0.25 units to win 1 unit of profit.
- Hong Kong Odds: Hong Kong odds are similar to decimal odds but are presented slightly differently. Positive Hong Kong odds, such as 1.50, mean that for every 1 unit you wager, you could potentially win 0.50 units in profit. This results in a total return of 1.50 units, which includes your initial 1 unit stake. Negative Hong Kong odds, like -0.67, indicate that you need to bet 0.67 units to win 1 unit in profit, along with getting your 0.67 unit bet back if your bet wins.