Whether you are new to the world of betting or somewhat of an old hand when it comes to having a flutter every now and again, you will undoubtedly be aware of the sheer range of options at bookmakers like Betfair and Paddy Power when it comes to having a bet.
While putting money on a horse winning a race may sound like a relatively straightforward matter, there is a wide range of bets available. For example, are you planning to keep it simple with a single bet on one race? Or, alternatively, are you looking to take a chance on a larger gamble with an accumulator?
Negative odds - Firstly multiply the american odds by -1 and use the positive value in the following formula: american odds divided by (the american odds plus 100), multiplied by 100 to give a percentage e.g. American odds of -300 = (300/(300+100)). 100 = 75%. There are some basic steps bettors should take if they’re going to start using an odds payout calculator, which look like this: – Enter the odds using one of the various formats; American Odds (-400), Decimal Odds (1.25), Fractional Odds (1/4), Implied Probability (80%).
Thankfully, that is where online odds calculators come into their own. These handy tools can make a huge difference to your betting activity, providing you with a full overview of the options available and ultimately helping you to place the bet – or combination of bets – that works best for you.
In this article, we are going to take a closer look at the concept of odds calculators, how they tend to work, and the key benefits that they can offer in terms of boosting your betting balance.
What is an odds calculator?
On the most basic level, odds calculators are designed to help you understand the implications of your bets and ultimately determine what returns you will receive if you are successful.
Such tools tend to operate in a standard format, with them first asking you to input the type of bet that you have made or are planning to make. This could be anything from a single to a Yankee to Super Heinz or an accumulator. Once you’ve provided this information, you will then be asked to enter the odds on your bet and also the stake that you’ve placed on it. The calculator may also ask you to either enter the odds in the decimal or fraction format, but we will touch upon the key issues related to that further on in this article.
You will then repeat that process however many times is necessary – for example, if you have placed multiple bets – and then may also be able to add information related to Dead Heats or any situation when Rule 4 may have come into play. The latter offers compensation in the event that a horse withdraws from a race after a bet is placed.
Clear benefits
After providing full information regarding your range of bets, the odds calculator will then take care of the hard work by doing the maths and generating an overview of the bets you have made or are planning to make, as well as the potential returns which will be available if you are successful.
Choose your each-way terms with the odds calculator – these vary based on the number of runners and the type of race
As you may have already realised, such tools offer clear benefits to horse racing fans whether they are planning for future races or even checking what their final winnings will be after placing several bets. The ability to input information on a combination of bets is a particular benefit, as it ensures you do not get a headache while attempting to consider the potential outcomes of the bets you have made.
Fractions vs decimals
For a great number of horse racing fans, the use of fractions is the traditional way of viewing the odds for the runners and riders, but the use of decimals is something which has grown significantly across recent years, too. The concept operates on the straightforward notion that you simply multiply a stake by the decimal shown and the outcome will be your total winnings. For example, if you place a £1 bet on a horse with odds of 4.00, you will get a return of £4.
While the use of decimals may seem very simple in that respect, it is worth bearing in mind that the concept offers up one fundamental difference in comparison to the use of fractional odds. When it comes to decimal odds, your stake is always factored into the return that you calculate but this is not the case when following the fraction method. In terms of the latter, if you put £1 on odds of 4/1 you will receive £4 in profit but also get your £1 stake back too – so £5 in total. As such, the fraction allows you to work out your winnings, but you will also need to factor in that your stake will also be returned to you as well.
A better understanding
It goes without saying that a huge number of people across the globe love betting on horse racing with bookmakers like Betfair and Paddy Power, whether they are attending race meetings in person, following the action on TV, or online via streaming services. You can get free Timeform tips for every British and Irish horse race and free Infogol tips on Europe's biggest football leagues. However, it is also true that some can find it a complicated world to navigate around and they often want a bit of a helping hand to get started.
Whatever your level of experience, taking some time to gain a better understanding of how the different formats for odds work can be an important step towards making informed decisions on your betting. Furthermore, the use of odds calculators can help you fully understand how specific combinations of bets could put you on the path towards winning big and also ensure you are fully aware of the winnings that you are due.
If you’re going to bet on sports, you need to understand the odds before you put any cash down. There’s no way for you to know the risk involved in your particular wager or the potential payoff unless you know how betting odds work. If you’re looking for the best odds at an online sportsbook, be sure you check out Bovada.
It’s essential to understand that odds are a determination of how a specific event may play out. They are not saying that the event will end in the manner predicted. They predict the likelihood of an outcome.
Those wagering on the favored team usually do so at a disadvantage, while those wagering on the underdog are given an edge. Sportsbooks do this in an attempt to even out the bets so that there’s an equal amount of cash placed on each team.
When wagering, you’ll find that there are three basic ways that odds are listed:
Enter the odds in any format and click Convert
Odds Conversion Guide
To convert decimal odds to fractional, subtract 1.00 and then find the nearest whole integers (so 3.75 - 1.00 becomes 2.75/1, or 11/4).
To convert moneyline odds to decimal, if the moneyline is positive, divide by 100 and add 1. If it is negative, divide 100 by the moneyline amount (without the minus sign) and add 1.
To convert fractional odds to decimal, divide the first figure by the second figure add 1.00 (so 11/4 = 2.75, then add 1.00 = 3.75).
| UK | EU | US |
|---|---|---|
| 1/5 | 1.20 | -500 |
| 2/9 | 1.22 | -450 |
| 1/4 | 1.25 | -400 |
| 2/7 | 1.28 | -350 |
| 3/10 | 1.30 | -333.30 |
| 1/3 | 1.33 | -300 |
| 7/20 | 1.35 | -285.70 |
| 4/11 | 1.36 | -275 |
| 2/5 | 1.40 | -250 |
| 4/9 | 1.44 | -225 |
| 9/20 | 1.45 | -222.20 |
| 40/85 | 1.47 | -212.50 |
| 1/2 | 1.50 | -200 |
| 8/15 | 1.53 | -187.50 |
| 4/7 | 1.57 | -175 |
| 3/5 | 1.60 | -166.70 |
| 8/13 | 1.62 | -162.50 |
| 5/8 | 1.63 | -160 |
| 4/6 | 1.66 | -150 |
| 7/10 | 1.70 | -142.90 |
| 8/11 | 1.72 | -137.50 |
| 4/5 | 1.80 | -125 |
| 5/6 | 1.83 | -120 |
| 9/10 | 1.90 | -111.10 |
| UK | EU | US |
|---|---|---|
| 10/11 | 1.91 | -110 |
| 20/21 | 1.95 | -105 |
| 1/1 | 2.00 | -100 |
| 21/20 | 2.05 | +105 |
| 11/10 | 2.10 | +110 |
| 6/5 | 2.20 | +120 |
| 5/4 | 2.25 | +125 |
| 13/10 | 2.30 | +130 |
| 11/8 | 2.38 | +137.50 |
| 7/5 | 2.40 | +140 |
| 6/4 | 2.50 | +150 |
| 8/5 | 2.60 | +160 |
| 13/8 | 2.63 | +162.50 |
| 17/10 | 2.70 | +170 |
| 7/4 | 2.75 | +175 |
| 9/5 | 2.80 | +180 |
| 15/8 | 2.88 | +187.50 |
| 19/10 | 2.90 | +190 |
| 2/1 | 3.00 | +200 |
| 21/10 | 3.10 | +210 |
| 85/40 | 3.13 | +210 |
| 11/5 | 3.20 | +220 |
| 9/4 | 3.25 | +225 |
| 23/10 | 3.30 | +230 |
| UK | EU | US |
|---|---|---|
| 95/40 | 3.38 | +237.50 |
| 12/5 | 3.40 | +240 |
| 5/2 | 3.50 | +250 |
| 13/5 | 3.60 | +260 |
| 11/4 | 3.75 | +275 |
| 14/5 | 3.80 | +280 |
| 3/1 | 4.00 | +300 |
| 16/5 | 4.20 | +320 |
| 10/3 | 4.33 | +333.30 |
| 7/2 | 4.50 | +350 |
| 18/5 | 4.60 | +360 |
| 4/1 | 5.00 | +400 |
| 9/2 | 5.50 | +450 |
| 5/1 | 6.00 | +500 |
| 11/2 | 6.50 | +550 |
| 6/1 | 7.00 | +600 |
| 13/2 | 7.50 | +650 |
| 7/1 | 8.00 | +700 |
| 15/2 | 8.50 | +750 |
| 8/1 | 9.00 | +800 |
| 17/2 | 9.50 | +850 |
| 9/1 | 10.00 | +900 |
| 10/1 | 11.00 | +1000 |
| 50/1 | 51.00 | +5000 |
Fractional Odds
Also known as Tradional or British- Used mainly in the UK and in international horse racing. Becoming less popular online.
- Tell you the amount of profit relative to your stake if you win your bets.
- For example, if you bet £10 at odds of 3/1, you receive £30 profit if you win.
Decimal Odds
Also known as European- Common around the world but especially in Europe. Standard on betting exchanges such as Betfair.
- Convey the total amount you will receive if you win, including the return of your stake.
- For example, if you bet £10 at odds of 3.75, you will receive £37.50 in total if you win.
Moneyline Odds
Also known as American- Used by most US bookmakers.
- Based on a straight single bet (on a single outcome, without a points spread)
- If the moneyline is positive, the amount quoted is the amount you would win on a $100 bet.
- If it is negative, the amount quoted is what you would need to bet to win $100.
American
U.S. odds are reflected in the moneyline or line. They’re expressed in whole numbers with the number for the favored team showing a minus and the number for the team that is not favored having a plus in front of it.
Here is a moneyline for football:
This betting line favors the Colts. Indy is listed at 2:1. That means for every $2.00 bet the payout would be $3.00. That includes the $2.00 you wagered plus a profit of $1.00. If you take the Bears, the odds would be 1:4. On a $1.00 bet Chicago, which is the underdog, would pay a total of $5.00. That includes the $1.00 bet and the $4.00 payout.
The bettor always gets a bigger payout when they assume a greater risk. The more the risk, which would reflect the unlikely chance of something happening, the more you profit if the bet is won. Consider that a team that’s listed at -200 has a 66.66% chance of winning, while a team at +400 has a 20% chance of victory.
Fractional
Fractional odds, which are also known as English odds, are a bit easier to understand. If the same NFL game were listed using the fractional system it would look like this:
Chicago Bears (1/4)
With this type of listing, the first number in the fraction, the numerator, is the amount you would wager and the second number, the denominator, is the payout amount. The payouts and risk in this example are exactly the same as that in the American example, with the Colts paying a $1.00 profit for every $2.00 bet and the Bears offering a $4.00 profit for every $1.00 wagered.
Decimal
You’ll find decimal odds used most often in Europe and for this reason they are known as European odds. These may be the most confusing to American bettors because the math is hidden.
Once again using the same example from the NFL, the decimal odds would be displayed in this manner:
In this system, the smaller the number the less risk involved and the better the chances are that a team will be victorious. To understand how much you will win, you would multiply the amount wagered by the betting line.
In this example, on a $1.00 bet on Chicago you would get back a total of $5.00 and on a $2.00 bet on the colts, you’d realize $3.00. As you can see, regardless of the format of the betting lines, the payout is the same.
Odds are Skewed
Betting odds can be given in various ways. The important thing to understand is they’re not “real.” They are skewed to ensure that the sportsbooks make a profit.
Built into the odds is the sportsbook’s commission, which is silently collected on every bet. In real life, the Colts probably have less of a chance of winning and should pay more while the Bears are even more likely to lose than the odds reflect and should also pay more.
Those are the basics to understanding odds. If you’re an American bettor, then chances are you’ll be using the U.S. version. Europe or other parts of the world, you’re going to encounter the two other types of listings.
Understanding Payouts
There are a few important aspects of sports betting payouts that you must understand in order to ensure that you’re able to take full advantage of wagering opportunities and to successfully manage your bankroll.
First we’ll take a look at some basic odds and related payouts and then we’ll consider some of the finer aspects of the payout.
You must be able to read the odds listed in order to understand how much you will make on a bet. The amount of cash that you make, your profit, is your payout. Some sports bets, such as those involving a point spread, usually pay approximate odds of 1:1. That means for every dollar wagered, you’re going to get that dollar plus another buck if you win your wager.
Here’s a look at the three ways of expressing odds that you’ll usually find listed for a favorite.
| Moneyline (American) | Fraction (English) | Decimal (European) |
| -200 | 1/2 | 1.50 |
Each of these expressions of odds represents the same wager and payout. For every $2.00 bet, you win a dollar, making the total amount of cash you get back $3.00 ($2.00 bet + $1.00 payout = $3.00 return).
These are an example of the type of odds given for a team that’s not favored.
| Moneyline (American) | Fraction (English) | Decimal (European) |
| +200 | 2/1 | 3.00 |
These odds tell you that for every $1.00 you bet, you’re going to get $2.00 back. The payout on this sports bet is $2.00 ($1.00 bet + $2.00 payout = $3.00 return)
Notice that you get the same amount of cash back on both bets but that you actually make double on the second wager. Never confuse “return,” which is the total amount of cash you get back when you win, with “payout,” which is actually how much you make. When it comes to sports betting you’re biggest concern is how big the payout is in relationship to how much you wagered.
The Commission
One element that many new bettors are not aware of is the commission that is paid by gamblers to bookies or sportsbooks. The commission is often referred to as vig, vigorish or juice.
This part of sports betting is important because it alters your payout, lessening it. Here’s the way it works. Vig can be readily seen in point spread betting and when you bet on the favorite using the moneyline.
Although the spread odds expressed in sports betting are 1/1, they are really approximately 1/1.10.
Here’s why:
When you place a $1.00 point spread wager, you place the dollar bet plus 10%. Thus, you would place $1.10 on a team to win $1.00. You get back your original bet, $1.10, and the one-dollar payout. But if this were a true 1/1 wager, your payout would be $1.10. What happens to the 10 cents? That’s the sportsbook’s commission.
The same can be seen with the -110 moneyline. In order to win $100 on that moneyline, you must put up $110. The way bookies make their commission on the moneyline is they charge more than they should to bet on the favorite and undercut the payout on the underdog. Thus, the vig is often hidden, but it is there.
Managing Your Bankroll
Odds Calculator Uk
It’s important that you learn how to manage your sports betting bankroll and that means keeping track of all wagers, loses and payout. When looking at a potential payout always consider the risk involved in the bet and what percentage of your bankroll you’re willing to commit to that bet. Never risk more than 5% of your bankroll on a bet.
Understanding the payout in relationship to the amount of money risked and the total return is important to be able to manage your bankroll and sports betting business.
When Is It Too Late to Make a Bet?
When is it too late to make a bet? When the game is over. But the more complex answer has to do with how much you have to wager, what your objective is and how much you’ve lost or won.
Odds Calculator Math
Here are some guidelines that will help you decide when you should wager on props when the odds are becoming more favorable, diminishing odds, and when you should bet on propositions whose odds are going up or expanding:
250/1 Odds Calculator
Diminishing
There are various times when you should play props whose odds are going from being long shots to sure shots. With a diminishing odds bet, the chance of the prop being a winner is becoming more certain. Bets in this category range from 2-1 to 1-4.
Play these in the following situations:
- You’re way ahead and wagering numerous units.
- You’re behind and wagering one unit at a time.
- The game is near the end and you’re ahead. Bet one to three units.
- You’re ahead and want to preserve winnings. Bet one unit.
The above situations are all designed to make sure that you limit your loses. Along with wagering on bets that offer you low odds, make sure you bet on props about which you feel confident. The point is to give yourself the best chance of winning.
Expanding
As odds expand and go higher so do the payouts. Although commonsense tells you that these wagers are getting progressively more difficult to win, there are times that you should utilize them.
- You are way ahead and want to try to make a big score. Use only one or two units.
- It’s near the end of the game and you’re even. Go for a big play, big payout bet using one unit to try to put yourself over the top.
- The team with expanding odds is actually on a role. (It can happen).
- Bet on the defense if there are expanding odds on its side and it needs to make a big play. Use one unit.
Betting on these scenarios isn’t as foolhardy as you might think since you are limiting how much you’re going to wager, lessening your loses. Stay away from tossing a lot of cash on a bet that has expanding betting lines. If you don’t, you may see your cash diminish quickly.
The thing to remember about live sports betting is that as the game goes on and things change, the odds will also change. As they do, you can take advantage of them in various ways. Also, be careful not to bet too much.