Betting odds are a way of expressing the likelihood of an event happening. They can be used to calculate the potential returns of a bet and are usually expressed as a fraction or a decimal. There are various ways that betting odds can be expressed and it is important to understand how they work before placing a bet. In this article, we will explain how betting odds and payouts work and how to calculate potential returns.
Types of Betting Odds
There are three main types of betting odds which are used by bookmakers: Fractional, Decimal and American. Each type of odds is expressed differently and it is important to understand the differences between them before placing a bet.
Fractional Odds
Fractional odds are the most commonly used type of betting odds and are usually expressed as a fraction. For example, if a bookmaker is offering odds of 2/1 (two-to-one), this means that if you bet £1, you will receive a return of £2 if your bet wins.
Decimal Odds
Decimal odds are becoming increasingly popular and are usually expressed as a decimal number. For example, if a bookmaker is offering odds of 3.00, this means that if you bet £1, you will receive a return of £3 if your bet wins.
American Odds
American odds are the least commonly used type of betting odds and are usually expressed as a negative or positive number. For example, if a bookmaker is offering odds of -150, this means that if you bet £1, you will receive a return of £1.50 if your bet wins.
Calculating Payouts
Calculating the potential payout of a bet can be complicated, but it is important to understand how it works before placing a bet. The following steps outline how to calculate the potential payout of a bet:
- Calculate the odds: This is the first step and involves calculating the odds of the bet. This can be done by dividing the number of possible outcomes by the number of total outcomes.
- Multiply the odds by the stake: Once the odds have been calculated, they need to be multiplied by the stake of the bet.
- Add the stake to the payout: The stake should then be added to the potential payout.
- Calculate the total payout: The total payout of the bet is then calculated by multiplying the odds by the stake and adding the stake to the payout.
Understanding Value Betting
Value betting is a technique used by experienced bettors to identify bets with a higher chance of success. It involves analysing the odds of a bet and comparing them to the chances of the bet winning. If the chances of the bet winning are higher than the odds, then it is considered to be a value bet.
Calculating Value
The following steps outline how to calculate the value of a bet:
- Calculate the implied probability: This is the first step and involves calculating the implied probability of the bet. This can be done by dividing the number of possible outcomes by the total number of outcomes.
- Calculate the bookmaker’s margin: Once the implied probability has been calculated, the bookmaker’s margin needs to be calculated. This is done by subtracting the implied probability from 100.
- Calculate the expected value: The expected value of the bet can then be calculated by subtracting the bookmaker’s margin from the odds.
Understanding Risk and Reward
Risk and reward are two important concepts in gambling and should be considered before placing any bet. Risk is the chance of losing the bet and reward is the potential profit of a bet. It is important to understand the risks and rewards associated with a bet before placing it.
Calculating Risk
The following steps outline how to calculate the risk of a bet:
- Calculate the probability of the bet winning: This is the first step and involves calculating the probability of the bet winning. This can be done by dividing the number of possible outcomes by the total number of outcomes.
- Calculate the potential loss: Once the probability has been calculated, the potential loss of the bet needs to be calculated. This is done by multiplying the probability of the bet winning by the stake of the bet.
- Calculate the expected loss: The expected loss of the bet can then be calculated by subtracting the potential loss from the stake.
Calculating Reward
The following steps outline how to calculate the reward of a bet:
- Calculate the probability of the bet winning: This is the first step and involves calculating the probability of the bet winning. This can be done by dividing the number of possible outcomes by the total number of outcomes.
- Calculate the potential reward: Once the probability has been calculated, the potential reward of the bet needs to be calculated. This is done by multiplying the probability of the bet winning by the stake of the bet.
- Calculate the expected reward: The expected reward of the bet can then be calculated by subtracting the potential reward from the stake.
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding how betting odds and payouts work is an essential part of gambling. It is important to understand the different types of odds, how to calculate payouts, and how to calculate value and risk when placing a bet. By understanding these concepts, bettors can make more informed decisions and increase their chances of success.