How odds work

By Maverick Games Guide to Betting Comments Off on How odds work

New to sports betting?

At first, odds can seem overwhelming, but they’re actually just numbers that tell you how likely each outcome is to happen. The confusion comes because there are different types!

At Maverick, you can choose to see odds in Decimal, Hong Kong, or American formats.

Decimal odds

Decimal odds are popular in Europe, Australia, and Canada — they’re pretty easy to understand!

Winnings = stake x decimal odds

For example, let’s say you placed a 3 mBTC bet with odds of 5.00.

Winnings = stake x decimal odds

Winnings = 3 mBTC x 5.00

Winnings = 15 mBTC!

If you want to understand how much of that 15 mBTC is profit, you just subtract your initial stake.

Profit = winnings (stake x decimal odds) – decimal odds Profit = 3 mBTC x 5.00 – 3 mBTC Profit = 12 mBTC

American odds

They’re popular in, you guessed it, North America!

The important thing to know is that the whole system is centred around winning and wagering $100. The favourite will usually be indicated by a minus (-) in front of the number. The odds number will indicate how much you have to bet to return $100.

For example, the Raptors are -150 to win an NBA match.

This means you’ve got to bet $150 to see a $100 profit. (Plus, your $150 stake back.) The underdog will usually have a plus (+) next to the number, or the number will just be positive. It indicates how much you would win if you staked $100.

For example, Arsenal are +200 to win a football match.

If you bet $100, you’d see $200 profit (plus your $100 stake back). Of course, you don’t have to wager $100 every time to use these odds, that’s just how it’s easiest to think about them.

Fractional

Fractional odds are most common in the UK, and at horse racing events.

They’re displayed like fractions, usually with a slash or a hyphen, like 10/1 or 10-1. 10/1 (ten to one) odds mean if you bet £1, you’d have returns of £10, plus your original £1 stake back. You’d walk away with £11.

Questions?

If you’d like to chat more about odds, connect with our Support team!

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