{"id":38304,"date":"2023-08-11T09:24:46","date_gmt":"2023-08-11T09:24:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.safebettingsites.com\/?page_id=38304"},"modified":"2023-08-17T10:15:15","modified_gmt":"2023-08-17T10:15:15","slug":"american-betting-odds","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.safebettingsites.com\/american-betting-odds\/","title":{"rendered":"How Do American Betting Odds Work? A Guide for UK Punters"},"content":{"rendered":"
Wondering how American betting odds work? They <\/span>either tell you how much you\u2019d win by betting \u00a3100, or how much you\u2019d need to bet to win \u00a3100. The former odds will have a plus symbol (e.g. +250), while the latter will have a minus (e.g. -100). These odds are especially common for American sports, but can be used easily on British bookies.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In this article, we\u2019ll tell you everything you need to know for <\/span>understanding American betting odds<\/span>. We\u2019ll tell you exactly what they are, why they change, and give you the advantages and disadvantages of using them rather than other odds formats.<\/span><\/p>\n American odds are one of the three most popular formats in sports betting, along with fractional odds (the standard in the UK) and decimal odds. Technically, all three tell you the same thing – your return on a winning bet. The way they present this, however, is very different.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n American odds can have either a plus or a minus sign, followed by at least three numbers. If it\u2019s a plus sign, the following figure is what you\u2019ll win if you bet \u00a3100. If it\u2019s a minus sign, the figure tells you how much you must bet to win \u00a3100.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n To be clear, this does not mean you need to bet at least \u00a3100. That\u2019s just the benchmark which is used for this format, for ease of use.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n One great thing about American odds is that you can instantly see which side (or side of the market) is the underdog, and which side is favoured. The former will often have a plus symbol, and the latter a minus. Alternatively, one number will obviously be bigger or lower than the others.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This stands in contrast to fractional odds, for example, where – if the fractions are quite complicated – it can be difficult to tell which side is favoured.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s certainly not hard to learn <\/span>how American odds work<\/span>, but they still take some getting used to. Here\u2019s how you might actually use them in context, for betting both underdogs and favourites.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Let\u2019s say NFL Sunday is fast approaching, and you want to get in on the action. In our example, the Bears have been on a cold streak, but you fancy them to right the ship against the Lions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If you feel particularly confident, you\u2019ll take the money line. The Bears are +250, <\/span>meaning they\u2019re the underdogs<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If you feel less confident, you\u2019ll take the spread. The Bears are +3.5 in our example. That means they can lose by 3pts or fewer, and your bet will still win. Since this is an easier wager, however, your odds are lower, at only +150.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n You stick down \u00a310 on the Bears moneyline, and Chicago ends up winning. In this case, you get a \u00a325 profit (\u00a3100 would have got you the \u00a3250 suggested in the +250 American format). <\/div><\/div><\/span><\/p>\n One of the main things to learn about <\/span>sports betting with American odds <\/span>is that backing favourites can be pretty different to taking underdogs. If there\u2019s a minus symbol, remember that the odds are telling you how much you\u2019d need to bet in order to make \u00a3100. Also, the lower the number after a minus symbol, the better (it\u2019s vice versa for a plus symbol).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n That same Sunday, you fancy the Vikings to win over the Packers. The Vikings moneyline is -200, so they\u2019re comfortable favourites. Their spread is set at -5.5, but the odds for that are worse at -250, so you decide to take the money line.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n You bet \u00a310, and the Vikings win. Your profits here are \u00a35. If you\u2019d taken the -250 instead, you\u2019d only have won \u00a34.\u00a0 <\/div><\/div><\/span><\/p>\n American odds betting <\/span>is extremely flexible. You really can use this format for any bet type you please. There are three bet types which are the most common of all, however:<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n This is the most straightforward market. All you need to do is pick which player or team you think will win a particular matchup. One side will be favoured, while the other will be the underdog.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The numbers can be as high or low as the bookie pleases. A significant underdog, for example, might be +350, while if the odds are only +100 it suggests a closer matchup.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n This is another popular bet type. Rather than actually betting on one side to win, you\u2019re instead predicting a range in which the final score will fall. It’s basically another term for handicap betting.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Let\u2019s say you\u2019re studying <\/span>American football odds<\/span>, and see the Chiefs are playing the Raiders. The money line for the Chiefs might be so low that it\u2019s not worth taking. Instead, you might back the Chiefs to win by at least 7pts. In this case, you\u2019d take Chiefs -7.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Alternatively, if you think the Raiders will keep things close, you might take them at +5.5. Even if they lose, as long as they lose by five points or fewer, then your bet still wins.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n How do American betting odds work<\/span> here? They simply tell you which ranges are more or less likely.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In the above example, taking the Chiefs at -1 will still have very low odds. Take them at a hefty -10, however, and your odds will be much better.\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n The over\/under can apply to plenty of sports, but is particularly popular with American football and <\/span>basketball markets<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In either case, you\u2019re simply betting on how many points the teams will score between them. The bookie will set a basic line – like 42.5pts in an NFL game – and you predict whether the actual total will be higher or lower.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n UK online bookies<\/a> will try and set their starting total at the most likely outcome, based on their calculations. The over\/under odds will therefore be close to even money. You can often get an alternative over\/under, though, which will give you higher or lower odds depending on its probability.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Ideally, you won\u2019t be converting back and forth between fractional odds and American odds, since this will slow down the betting process.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019re used to using fractional odds, however, like most British punters, then doing so can help tremendously as you\u2019re getting started. You\u2019ll get a good idea of how certain American odds compare to fractional odds, and thus the value you\u2019re being offered on your wagers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n To that end, here\u2019s a quick table of how some common fractional odds convert to American odds<\/strong>:<\/span><\/p>\n Converting American odds to fractional odds yourself isn\u2019t exactly straightforward. It also works differently, depending on whether the odds are positive or negative.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n For positive American odds, you divide the number in question by 100, then change the resulting decimal odds number into a fraction, and reduce that fraction to its simplest form. If the odds are +120, for example, you do 120\/100 for 1.20, then convert that to 12\/10, which can be simplified to 6\/5.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n For negative American odds, you divide 100 by the number in question, then turn that into a fraction, and simplify it. If your odds are -125, you\u2019d do 100 divided by 125 for 0.8, convert that to 8\/10, and simplify that to 4\/5.<\/span><\/p>\n Again, you\u2019ll be able to convert some of these without thinking about it quickly enough. To calculate more complicated lines, however, we\u2019d recommend simply using a calculator instead<\/a>. Just because American betting odds start at one figure, does not mean they\u2019re going to stay there. In fact, prices change all the time, both before kick-off and while the action is ongoing. Understanding this – and learning how to potentially exploit it – is a key part of understanding <\/span>how betting odds work<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n American betting odds are not solely based on the probability of something happening. This is the biggest factor, especially when they\u2019re first set. But there are also other factors, and these are what drive line movement.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nWhat Are American Betting Odds?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Example Of How American Betting Odds Work<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Betting an Underdog<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Betting a Favourite<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Most Common Markets For Betting American Odds<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Money Line<\/b><\/h3>\n
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Spread\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n
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Over\/Under<\/b><\/h3>\n
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How To Work Out American Betting Odds & Convert to Fractional Odds
\n<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
\n Fractional Odds<\/b><\/td>\n American Odds<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 1\/4<\/span><\/td>\n -400<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 1\/3<\/span><\/td>\n -300<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 1\/2<\/span><\/td>\n -200<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 4\/6<\/span><\/td>\n -150<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Evens<\/span><\/td>\n +100<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 6\/4<\/span><\/td>\n +150<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 2\/1<\/span><\/td>\n +200<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 3\/1<\/span><\/td>\n +300<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 4\/1<\/span><\/td>\n +400<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 9\/1<\/span><\/td>\n +900<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\n<\/span><\/p>\nLine Movements In American Betting Odds Explained<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Why Do Odds Change?<\/b><\/h3>\n