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WintipsSports bettingHow to read football betting odds - Football betting odds explained

How to read football betting odds - Football betting odds explained

Football betting odds are a fundamental concept in online sports betting. They represent the payout ratio a bettor will receive if their prediction is correct. Understanding how odds work, and how to read different odds formats, is key to placing smart, profitable bets with bet win tips below.

What are the football betting odds?

Odds are the ratio used by bookmakers to determine how much money a bettor will win if their bet is successful. Different bookmakers and regions use different odds formats, including Malay, Hong Kong, Indo, European (Decimal), and American odds.

What are the football betting odds?
What are the football betting odds?

Basic football betting odds formats include:

  • Odds Malay (MY)
  • Odds Hong Kong (HK)
  • Odds Indo
  • European Odds (DEC)
  • Odds USA

Trusting the Odds isn't always safe. This is especially true when you bet on unreliable bookmakers. The types of Odds are always changing flexibly according to the arrangement of the bookmaker. This obliges players to master how to read the odds accurately to avoid losing money.

How to read football betting odds

After we have mastered the definition of Odds, we will understand how to read them. Let's learn according to the list above.

1. Malay odds (MY)

Malay Odds are unique in that they can be positive or negative, but here the sign indicates the risk level, not the profit type. Positive Malay Odds show the profit you’ll make per unit staked, while negative Malay Odds show how much you need to risk to win one unit. This format is favored in Malaysia and Singapore, especially among football bettors.

Malaysian odds
Malaysian odds explaned

Malay odds are relatively complex but are the most commonly used among the five formats mentioned above. This format accounts for both the player's bets and winnings. Odds Malay is divided into two forms: Positive and Negative, specifically:

Positive Odds (e.g., 0.98):

  • Winnings = Stake x Odds + Stake = 10 x 0.98 + 10 = $19.80
  • Loss = Full stake ($10)

Negative Odds (e.g., -0.85):

  • Winnings = Stake = $10
  • Loss = Stake x |Odds| = 10 x 0.85 = $8.50

2. Hong Kong (HK) odds rate

Hong Kong Odds are a straightforward and popular format in Asian betting markets. The number shown indicates the profit you can earn for every unit staked, not including your original bet. They work similarly to Decimal Odds but without the ‘+1’ factor, making them simple to read and quick to calculate.

Hong Kong odds explaned
Hong Kong odds explaned

Hong Kong odds betting tips are the European odds ratio that has been refined to suit Asian bookmakers. The only difference is that Hong Kong odds will only show the player's winnings. Odds HK's format has a value greater than 0.00.

The formula for calculating money in the Odds HK format is as follows:

  • Profit = Stake x HK Odds
  • Total Winnings = Stake + Profit
  • Loss (if lose) = Stake

Example: Bet: $10 | Odds: 0.95

  • Profit = $9.50
  • Total Return = $19.50
  • Loss (if lose) = $10

3. Indo odds

Indonesian Odds are popular in Southeast Asia and are based on a simple multiplier concept. Positive odds work similarly to Hong Kong Odds, showing how much profit you’ll earn per unit staked. Negative odds, however, indicate how much you must bet to win one unit of profit. They’re a versatile format that appeals to experienced bettors familiar with both Asian and American odds styles.

Indo Odds
Indo odds explaned

Odds Indo is also divided into two forms: positive and negative. If Odds HK > 1.00, then Odds Indo will be calculated similarly. Concrete:

Odds Indo is a positive number:

  • Winnings = Stakes + (Stakes x Odds Indo).
  • Losses = All bets placed.

For example, you bet $10 with HK Odds of 0.95. Winnings = 10 + (10 x 1.55) = $25.50.

Indo Odds may refer to:

  • If positive: Winnings = Stake + (Stake x Indo Odds)
  • If negative: Winnings = Stake + (Stake / |Indo Odds|)
  • **Loss = Stake (if you lose)

Example: You bet $10 with Indo Odds of -1.25

  • Profit = 10 / 1.25 = $8.00
  • Total Return = $18.00 if win
  • Loss = $10 if lose

Don’t miss today's expert football prediction of the day!

4. European odds (Odds DEC)

Decimal Odds are the most common betting format in Europe, Canada, and Australia, and they’re also the easiest for beginners to understand. The number shown represents the total payout you will receive if you win, including your original stake. To calculate your return, simply multiply your stake by the odds. This straightforward approach makes Decimal Odds the ‘universal language’ of global betting.

How Decimal odds work
How Decimal odds work?

European odds are used to bet on scores, parlay bets, or half bets... European odds are always greater than 1.00 and display both the player's bets and winnings.

How to calculate with European Odds (DEC):

  • Total Return = Bet × Odds
  • Profit = (Bet × Odds) - Bet
  • Loss = Bet (if lose)

Example: You bet $10 with odds of 1.92

  • Total Return = 10 × 1.92 = $19.20
  • Profit = $9.20
  • Loss = $10 if your prediction is wrong

5. US Odds Rate (USA)

American Odds, also known as Moneyline Odds, are widely used in the United States. They can be positive (e.g., +150) or negative (e.g., -120). Positive odds show how much profit you would make from a $100 bet, while negative odds show how much you need to stake to win $100. At first, they may look confusing, but once you understand the plus and minus signs, they’re easy to work with.

American odds
American odds explaned

US Odds can be either positive or negative, and each type affects your potential profit differently.

If US Odds is positive (e.g. +150):

  • Winnings = Stake + (Stake x (US Odds / 100))
  • Loss = Stake

Example: You bet $10 with US Odds of +150

  • Profit = $10 x (150 / 100) = $15.00
  • Total Return = $10 + $15 = $25.00
  • Loss = $10 (if the bet loses)

If US Odds is negative (e.g. -120):

  • Winnings = Stake + (Stake x (100 / |US Odds|))
  • Loss = Stake

Example: You bet $10 with US Odds of -120

  • Profit = $10 x (100 / 120) ≈ $8.33
  • Total Return = $10 + $8.33 = $18.33
  • Loss = $10 (if the bet loses)

Conclusion

Odds play a very important role in the success of football bettors. Mastering the concept of football betting odds and categorizing the different types will help you significantly increase your winning rate. We hope that the above article will be the key to helping you achieve the success you expect. We wish you good luck!

See also: What are folding bets? Advantages and disadvantages of folding bets

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