How to Read Betting Odds

Every outcome in sports betting has odds. Odds show both your potential return and the probability the bookmaker assigns to that outcome. Here is how to read decimal odds.

1. Decimal odds and payouts

Multiply your stake by the decimal odds to get your total return. A 100 stake at odds of 2.50 returns 250 if it wins, of which 150 is profit.

2. From odds to probability

Take the inverse of the odds to get the implied probability: probability = 1 / odds.

• Odds 2.00 → about 50%
• Odds 1.50 → about 67%
• Odds 4.00 → about 25%

3. The bookmaker margin

Add up the implied probabilities of a match's 1-X-2 odds and you get slightly more than 100%. The difference is the bookmaker's margin, which is why, over the long run, odds favour the bookmaker rather than the player.

4. Accumulators

In an accumulator the odds of each selection are multiplied: 1.80 × 1.70 × 2.10 ≈ 6.43. The odds go up, but every selection has to win, so the chance of the bet landing drops quickly.

5. In-play odds

In-play odds change within seconds after goals, red cards or as time runs down. Check whether the odds have moved before confirming your bet slip.