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A Beginner’s Guide to Betting Odds: Learn the Basics

Ashish

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Esports betting odds show the probability of an outcome occurring in a sporting event. The fundamental idea of this function is that the more prominent the odds against a team, the larger the payout can be. There are three popular types of odds- British, American, and European.

Betting, their odds and probabilities, and understanding all these are crucial and necessary to ensure significant wins. This will help you understand the game better and guide you in making informed decisions.

Let us understand different aspects of betting odds, how to calculate winning possibilities, and payouts.

What Are Betting Odds and Probabilities?

This term describes the chance or likeliness of an inevitable outcome from a particular event. Probability shows how likely an event is to happen, while odds are used to measure potential profit.

Moreover, odds can also indicate the expected return in case of a win. This is why it is important to understand betting odds and probabilities before placing any bets.

There are three main formats for the odds of sports betting:

American Odds: Also known as Moneyline odds – example: +250, -130

British (Fractional) Odds: example: 2/1

European (Decimal) Odds: example: 5.0

Let’s understand the Odd types in detail in the following section.

What Are Different Types of Sports Betting Odds?

There are kinds of sports betting odds that all describe the same thing: the likelihood of an event happening and your potential profit. Well, each type is popular in different locations. See below how each type of odds is calculated and how to read them.

American Odds

This type of sports betting, also known as moneyline odds, is mostly used in the US. Here are two typical examples:

● +220

● -220

The formulas to calculate profit with American odds will differ depending on the sign before the number:

● For positive number (plus): payout = (stake/100) x odds

● For negative number (minus): payout = (100/odds) x stake

The “+” sign before the number usually indicates the team with a low chance of winning. On the contrary, the “-” sign implies it is a bettor’s favourite.

Fractional Odds

Second on the list are fractional odds, commonly used in Europe and offering potential profit as a fraction of the stake. They are in the format of A/B, where A represents the amount you win for every B amount of money wagered.

For example, 5/1 odds indicate that for every $1 you wager, you will earn $5 in profit. Thus, if you place a $10 bet at 5/1 odds, the total payout is calculated as:

Decimal Odds

Popular in Europe, decimal odds represent the total money you can win for a given stake. They are calculated using the formula:

Payout = stake x odds

For instance, if the decimal odds are 8.0 and you wager $2, your total payout would be:

$2×8 = $16

This total includes your original stake. To find the pure profit, subtract the stake from the payout:

$16-$2=$14.

How Betting Odds Are Calculated and Set by Bookmakers?

Betting odds perform the dual functions of indicating the probability of a specific event occurring and estimating the amount of money returned if the event occurs.

There are two primary considerations bookmakers have when setting the odds:

Statistical Probability: The chance of an event happening according to statistics and analyses.

Their Profit: The margin added ensures that the bookmaker will make some profit no matter what happens.

Therefore, in actual betting odds, each probability is changed by applying a particular margin rate.

Let’s take a look at an example:

● Team A’s chances for a win are 80%.

● For team B, the chances are 20%.

● The margin of the sportsbook rate is 5%.

● The implied probability will be 85% for Team A and 25% for Team B.

This is why the bookmakers reduce the actual probability of making a profit. It’s similar to applying a margin: Team A wins = 80%, Team B wins = 20%.

Why do Betting Online Odds Change?

The main reason for the change in betting odds is the irregular patterns of actual bets. Bettors often place stakes that don’t align perfectly with the initial probabilities, so bookmakers adjust odds based on changing proportions.

Odds can also fluctuate due to factors affecting a team’s or athlete’s chances of winning, such as injuries, team lineup changes, or weather conditions. However, once you place a wager on an event, the odds for your bet will remain fixed.

How to Read Betting Odds?

Whether you like cricket betting or any other esports, understanding how to read betting odds is essential to using betting tips effectively. One key concept here is “odds on” and “odds against.”

“Odds on” means betting for a high probability of the team winning. It usually implies that the bettor receives less money than they staked.

“Odds against” implies that the bettor receives more money than their initial stake. But the probability of this is low. In general, odds with higher possible profits imply a lower chance of winning.

How to Use Odds to Calculate Probability?

Odds are a way to express the likelihood of an event happening. So, by using betting odds, you can calculate the implied probability. The ways to do this are as follows:

● For decimal odds: probability = 1/odds

● For fractional odds: probability = number on the correct side/sum of both

● For American odds:

● (Positive) probability = 100 / (odds + 100) × 100

● (Negative) probability = odds / (odds + 100) × 100

Read Also : How to Calculate Strike Rate of a Bastman in Cricket?

Odds of Winning at Online Casinos

Casino games can be divided into those dependent upon pure luck and those in which strategy can bend the outcome. The purely chance-oriented ones, like slot machines, are way easier—all one needs to do is spin it and hope for the best. However, some casino games offer opportunities to improve their odds by adopting a proper strategy.

The main component of online slots is luck; however, choosing slots with high RTP can provide an advantage.

For better odds, look to the table games arena. Most of these games involve skill and strategy and can help improve your winning possibilities.

Conclusion

Understanding betting odds is important to succeeding in sports betting or casino games. Odds express the probability of an event and potential payout.With Fun88, you can quickly and safely place your bets and withdraw your winnings without any hassle. You only need to register yourself on the platform and start enjoying the best of online gaming.

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About the author

Ashish

Ashish has over 5 years of content writing experience. He was fond of playing online games since childhood during that time, he developed his interest in writing about casinos and card games. In 2016, he chose to upscale his passion into a profession by joining a top-notch educational institute. Over the passing years, he stayed tuned to the gaming world, shaping his gaming knowledge into writing skills. At Fun88, he focuses on casino gaming content that empowers interested readers to navigate and optimize their gaming journey with confidence.