• SPORTS PICKS
  • “RAZOR” RAY MONOHAN PICKS
  • FREE PICKS
  • SITEMAP
  • LOG IN
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Sports Cappers Picks

Sports Handicapping Predictions

  • NFL
    • NFL Home
    • NFL Odds
    • NFL Picks
    • NFL Free Picks
    • Top NFL Cappers
    • Cappers NFL Stats
  • NCAAF
    • NCAAF Home
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAF Picks
    • NCAAF Free Picks
    • Top CFB Cappers
    • Cappers CFB Stats
  • MLB
    • MLB Home
    • MLB Odds
    • MLB Picks
    • MLB Free Picks
    • Top MLB Cappers
    • Cappers MLB Stats
  • NBA
    • NBA Home
    • NBA Odds
    • NBA Picks
    • NBA Free Picks
    • Top NBA Cappers
    • Cappers NBA Stats
  • NCAAB
    • NCAAB Home
    • NCAAB Odds
    • NCAAB Picks
    • NCAAB Free Picks
    • Top CBB Cappers
    • Cappers CBB Stats
  • NHL
    • NHL Home
    • NHL Odds
    • NHL Picks
    • NHL Free Picks
    • Top NHL Cappers
    • Cappers NHL Stats
  • Handicappers
    • Cappers Home
    • Razor Ray’s Picks
    • Today’s Picks For Sale
    • Free Sports Picks
    • 6 Simple Steps – MAKE $
    • Video Picks
    • Expert Sports Handicappers
    • Cappers Leaderboards
    • Sports Handicappers Stats
    • Sports Betting Trends
    • Betting Tools
  • Sportsbooks
    • Sportsbooks Home
    • Sportsbook Rankings
    • Current Promos
    • Pinnacle Sports (NO USA)
    • MyBookie.ag
      • My Bookie Bonus Code
    • Bovada.lv
    • 5Dimes.eu
    • BetOnline.ag
    • GTBets.eu
      • GT Bets Bonus Code
    • BetDSI.eu
      • Bet DSI Bonus Code
    • JazzSports.ag
    • BetNow.eu
    • Bookmaker.eu
    • Sportsbetting.ag
    • BetPhoenix.ag
    • XBet.ag
    • SportsBettingOnline.ag
      • Sports Betting Online Bonus Code
    • WagerWeb.ag
    • betOWI.com
  • + More
    • Fantasy Sports
    • Nascar
    • Soccer
    • PGA Golf
    • Fights
    • CFL Football
    • Superbowl
    • Horses
    • Poker
    • Casino
    • 2020 Archives
    • Archives
Sports Betting 101 Sports Betting Tips: How to Read Gambling Odds

Sports Betting Tips: How to Read Gambling Odds

April 2, 2020 by Evan Petty

Sports Betting Tips: How to Read Gambling Odds

What are the odds?

Have you stopped by Cappers Picks today to use our Sports Betting Tips from the experts at Cappers Picks? Here, we are going to clarify how to read gambling odds and calculate payouts so that even a beginner can bet with confidence.

Sportsbooks list odds or payouts one of three ways: in decimal format, in what is known as “American”, or as a fraction or ratio. It’s important to know exactly how to read all three so as never to be cheated.

How to Read Gambling Odds: Decimals

Decimal format has become more widespread because of its simplicity.

The number next to a bet is how much a winning stake will multiply by. So, for example, a winning bet  priced at 2.00 means the bettor doubles his or her stake. If he or she bet $100, he or she would, of course, get the original $100 stake back, plus another $100 ($100 x 2.00 = $200 total return, original stake included).

YOU CAN CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT OUR TOP 40 HANDICAPPERS IN THE WORLD! (All Under 1 Roof)

Decimal odds must be larger than 1.00, which would imply no winnings. The occasional confusion with decimal format is that it calculates the total ticket, including the original stake, while the other two formats are based on winnings.

To some, this is more intuitive. A winning stake priced at 3.00 means tripling one’s money. Of course, decimals aren’t often whole numbers. A winning stake priced at 1.65 means the bettor gets his or her money back and wins another 65 percent of that original stake ($100×1.65=$165 ticket — $65 in winnings, plus the original stake).

How to Read Gambling Odds: American

American format is based on $100. The odds will either begin with a plus or a minus. A plus represents an underdog, or “plus money” return, while a minus represents a favorite that offers a potential profit smaller than the stake itself.

The number after a plus is how much a bettor will win with a $100 bet. So a +250 payout means a $100 bet would win $250 and the total ticket return would be $350 ($100+$250 winnings). Of course, the stake can be more or less than $100. A $50 winner with a +250 payout brings $125 in winnings, plus the original $50 stake for a ticket worth $175.

The number after a minus represents how much much be staked in order to win $100. The larger the number, the heavier the favorite. A -600 favorite requires the bettor to risk $600 to win $100 for a ticket worth $700.



To calculate decimal odds from American, first determine if the payout is a plus or a minus payout. If it’s a plus payout, divide the number by 100 and add one to account for the original stake. So that +250 payout gets converted to 3.50 (2.50+1=3.50).

If it’s a minus payout, divide 100 by the number. So that -600 payout would be 1.167 in decimal form (100/600=1.67)

How to Read Gambling Odds: Fractions

Fractional odds are more traditional but gradually disappearing in favor of decimal format. Perhaps the math is just too tough for the everyday bettor to figure nowadays.

The denominator (that’s the one on bottom) in the fraction represents the stake; the numerator (on top) represents the winnings, not the total ticket amount.

Example: 3/1 odds (perhaps shown as 3:1) means a bettor wins three times as much as he or she stakes. A $50 bet would win $150 for a total ticket worth $200.

The denominator can be another number, though. A 5/2 payout means for every $2 wagered, a bettor would win $5, on top of the $2 return for the original stake. A $100 bet would win $250 for a ticket worth $350.

Sports Betting Tips

Want to convert fractional odds to decimal? Remember to add 1 for the original stake. A 5/2 payout is  not equivalent to 2.50 but actually 3.50 because decimal format includes the original stake.

What do you think of our article How to Read Odds? Comments are welcome below.

CHECK OUT MORE SPORTS BETTING TIPS HERE.

Check out our Updated Sports Betting Odds.

CappersPicks.com has Sports Odds up on a ton of sports betting futures, and you will also find DAILY lines up as well.

Register here for a FREE Sports Betting Account Now for Daily Free Picks & More Special Offers!

About Evan Petty

Handicapper out of the North Shore, MA.

Continue Reading

Filed Under: Gambling, Sports Betting 101

Related Free Picks

2021 Fountain Of Youth Stakes Free Pick & Handicapping Odds & Prediction

2021 Fountain Of Youth Stakes Free Pick & Handicapping Odds & Prediction

Horse racing gamblers are you looking for 2021 Fountain Of Youth Stakes Free Pick & Handicapping Odds...plus some predictions? Need some advice on who ... Read More

2021 Risen Star Stakes Free Pick & Handicapping Odds & Prediction

2021 Risen Star Stakes Free Pick & Handicapping Odds & Prediction

Horse racing gamblers are you looking for 2021 Risen Star Stakes Free Pick & Handicapping Odds...plus some predictions? Need some advice on who to tak ... Read More

2021 Withers Stakes Free Pick & Handicapping Odds & Prediction

2021 Withers Stakes Free Pick & Handicapping Odds & Prediction

Horse racing gamblers are you looking for 2021 Withers Stakes Free Pick & Handicapping Odds...plus some predictions? Need some advice on who to take? ... Read More

2021 Holy Bull Stakes Free Pick & Handicapping Odds & Prediction

2021 Holy Bull Stakes Free Pick & Handicapping Odds & Prediction

Horse racing gamblers are you looking for 2021 Holy Bull Stakes Free Pick & Handicapping Odds...plus some predictions? Need some advice on who to take ... Read More

2021 Kitten's Joy Stakes Free Pick & Handicapping Odds & Prediction

2021 Kitten’s Joy Stakes Free Pick & Handicapping Odds & Prediction

Horse racing gamblers are you looking for 2021 Kitten's Joy Stakes Free Pick & Handicapping Odds...plus some predictions? Need some advice on who to t ... Read More

Free UFC 257 Picks & Handicapping Lines & Betting Preview 1/23/2021

Free UFC 257 Picks & Handicapping Lines & Betting Preview 1/23/2021

Ready for UFC 257 picks and betting odds & predictions? This UFC card will take place on Saturday, January 23rd with a headliner grudge match between ... Read More

Watch our Latest Clips

Sportsbook Reviews
Online Sportsbook Reviews

Watch our Latest Clips

Sportsbook Account Info.

  • Sports Betting 101
  • Sportsbook Sign-Up Bonus?
  • Sportsbook Deposit Methods
  • Sportsbook Withdrawal Methods
  • Offshore Sportsbook Locations
  • Sportsbook Loyalty Programs
  • Sportsbook Watchdogs
  • You Might Like…

    Sports Betting 101

  • Point Spreads
  • Straight Bets
  • Totals (Over/Under)
  • Money Lines
  • Halftime Betting Odds
  • Parlays
  • Teasers
  • Futures
  • Buying Points
  • If Bets
  • Reverse Wagers
  • Pucklines
  • MLB Runline Betting
  • Reduced Juice
  • Pleasers (Exotics)
  • Sports Betting Units FAQ
  • Sportsbook Resources

  • Sportsbooks Index
  • Cappers Handicapping Index
  • Best Sportsbooks Online
  • Sports Book Reviews
  • Sports Book Betting Bonuses
  • Sportbook Handicapping Contests
  • Sports Book Promos
  • Sportsbooks For Americans
  • Sportsbook Betting Stats
  • Sportsbook Betting Tools 101
  • Sportsbook Betting Forums
  • Sportsbook Extra’s

  • Football Betting Online
  • Pro Football Gambling
  • NCAA Football Gambling
  • Super Bowl Betting Info
  • Mobile + Wireless Sportsbook
  • Sportsbook Affiliate Programs
  • Sportsbooks Offering Online Poker
  • Sports Handicapping Forums
  • Join the VIP list!
    No Spam - Guaranteed
    View the Archives
    Cappers Historic Picks

    SPORTS PICKS

    • Sports Picks
    • Free Sports Picks
    • Premium Predictions
    • Internet Sportsbooks
    • Sportsbook Reviews
    • 2021 Free Play Archive
    • 2009-2015 Archives
    • You Tube Video Picks

    BETTING CHANNELS

    • Handicappers
    • NFL Picks
    • MLB Picks
    • NBA Picks
    • NHL Picks
    • NCAA Football Picks
    • NCAA Basketball Picks
    • Nascar Betting Picks
    • Horse Racing Tips
    • Soccer Predictions
    • PGA Picks
    • UFC Picks

    CAPPERS BLOG

    • Online Sportsbooks
    • Free Picks
    • NFL Football
    • College Football
    • MLB Baseball
    • NHL Hockey
    • NBA Basketball
    • NCAA Basketball
    • PGA Tour Golf
    • Nascar Racing
    • Soccer
    • Horses
    • UFC

    CAPPERS TOOLS

    • Site Map
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Join Our Team!
    • Handicapping Login
    • Sports Betting Tools
    • Razor’s Sports Picks
    • Membership Registration
    • Sportsbook Affiliate Programs
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
    CappersPicks.com: Your Source For Cappers Predictions - Handicappers - Sportsbook Reviews - Free Picks - Sports Betting & Handicapping.

    © 2021 100% Documented Experts! Cappers Picks site is not affiliated with any Scamdicappers. Use of information in violation of federal, state and/or local laws is prohibited. Under 18 prohibited!
    Online sports gambling patrons are responsible to determine if they can legally bet on sports under the laws of the jurisdiction where they are located. Cappers Picks are located in Antigua, West Indies.

    Back to top

    Cappers Picks Logo

    • Home
    • Ray Monohan Picks
    • Experts Picks For Sale
    • Expert Free Picks
    • Today’s Articles
    • Log In
    • Handicappers
      • Cappers Home
      • Razor Ray’s Picks
      • Expert Sports Handicappers
      • Cappers Leaderboards
      • Sports Betting Trends
      • Betting Tools
    • Sportsbooks
      • Sportsbooks Home
      • Sportsbook Rankings
      • MyBookie.ag
      • Bovada.lv
      • BetOnline.ag
      • GTBets.eu
      • Pinnacle Sports (NO USA)
    • NFL
      • NFL Home
      • NFL Picks
      • NFL Free Picks
      • Top NFL Cappers
    • NCAAF
      • NCAAF Home
      • NCAAF Picks
      • NCAAF Free Picks
      • Top CFB Cappers
    • MLB
      • MLB Home
      • MLB Picks
      • MLB Free Picks
      • Top MLB Cappers
    • NBA
      • NBA Home
      • NBA Picks
      • NBA Free Picks
      • Top NBA Cappers
    • NCAAB
      • NCAAB Home
      • NCAAB Picks
      • NCAAB Free Picks
      • Top CBB Cappers
    • NHL
      • NHL Home
      • NHL Picks
      • NHL Free Picks
      • Top NHL Cappers
    • + MORE