Odds & You
Odds are numbers, which are used to calculate how much you can win at a
given stake. In general the rule is the higher odds the lower probability
of winning. Basically odds can be presented in three different formats.
Depending on which markets the bookmaker targets, odds are presented by
either the European, British or the American standard. Some bookmakers
support more than one of these standards.
Please note, that when
converting odds into the British standard, round-off errors may occur,
since some odds don't have an exact translation into British-style
fractions. Here, will show the nearest fractional odds.
Below is an example of how
odds are presented in different ways.
Example: Brazil vs.
England (Soccer)
Europe
UK
1: Brazil
1,40
2/5
x: Draw
3,75
11/4
2: England
5,00
4/1
Calculations with the various
odds formats are done with a stake of $200 on Brazil to win.
It is important to distinguish
between the payout to your betting account after a win, and your winnings,
which is the payout minus your stake.
European Odds (decimals)
European odds
multiplied by your stake equals the payout. The odds show how many units
the bookmaker pays out per unit staked.
Example: Home win to
Brazil over England, Euro odds 1.40
Payout:
Stake x Euro odds = $200 x 1.4
= $280
Winning:
Stake x Euro odds = $200 x 1.4
= $280
UK Odds (fractions)
US odds can be divided
into positive odds and negative odds. Negative odds show how big a stake
is needed for a winning of 100 units. Positive odds show how big your
winnings are if you bet 100 units.
Example:
Home win to Brazil over England, UK odds 2/5