Understanding How Sports Betting Odds are Displayed

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From the stake to the potential winnings, numbers play a crucial part of every wager. And central to any wager are betting odds, and more importantly, how they’re displayed in various countries and regions. Discover the different types of betting odds formats, where they’re used and how understanding them is key for making more informed betting choices at Wildz Sports.

Decimal betting odds

Decimal odds are the simplest and most intuitive format, commonly used across Europe and some other parts of the world. These odds represent the total payout, including the initial stake, per unit of currency wagered. Case in point, if the odds on Arsenal beating PSG in the UCL are 2.50, a €10 bet at Wildz Sports would return €25. Decimal odds are considered the easiest to understand due to their:

• Clarity: They show the total return for each unit wagered, making it easy to calculate potential winnings.
• Simplicity: No complex calculations or conversions are needed; simply multiply your stake by the odds.
• Universal use: They’re used on most online betting platforms, making them familiar to a wide audience.

Moneyline betting odds

Moneyline odds, or American odds, are expressed as either a positive or negative number and unsurprisingly, are used across the USA and Canada. With moneyline odds, a positive number (e.g., +200) indicates the profit on a $100 bet, while a negative number (e.g., -150) shows how much you need to wager to win $100.

So for instance, if the odds on the Steelers beating the Ravens in the NFL are +200, then a $100 bet returns $200 in profit, plus your original $100 stake, for a total of $300. Similarly, if the odds on the Knicks beating the Lakers in the NBA are -150, then you’d need to bet $150 to win $100, resulting in a total return of $250 ($150 + $100).

Fractional betting odds

Fractional odds are the traditional format used in the UK, often seen in Horse Racing where wagers such as Trixie bets and Yankee bets are commonplace. These odds are displayed as a fraction, such as 5/1 or 7/2, where the numerator (first number) represents the profit, and the denominator (second number) represents the stake.

For example, if a horse called Granny’s Delight has odds of 5/1 to win the Grand National, then a £10 bet would return a £50 profit, plus the original £10 stake, for a total of £60. Likewise, if the betting odds were 7/2, a £10 bet would return £35 in profit, plus the original £10 stake, for a total of £45.

Odds Conversion Table

To illustrate how these different odds formats compare, here’s a useful Wildz Sports conversion table with equivalent odds in each format.

Changing the odds format at Wildz Sports

If you prefer one format over another, we’ve got great news. At Wildz Sports, changing how they’re displayed couldn’t be easier. Simply go to My Bets → Settings → Odds format and that’s it. For those new to sports betting, decimal odds offer the easiest way to understand potential returns. Their simplicity makes them an excellent choice for beginners, while also being used across different platforms. Whether you’re betting in euros, dollars, or pounds, understanding the differences in odds formats is key to making smarter bets.