Odds & Formats

American Odds

An odds format where negative numbers show how much to risk for $100 profit, and positive numbers show profit on a $100 bet.

Also known as: moneyline odds, US odds

Definition

American odds (also called moneyline odds) are the default format at US sportsbooks. A negative number like -150 means you must bet $150 to win $100 profit. A positive number like +200 means a $100 bet wins $200 profit.

The crossover point is +100 / -100, which is even money. American odds are intuitive for US bettors but less useful for calculating payouts than decimal odds.

To convert American odds to implied probability: for negative odds, divide the absolute value by (absolute value + 100). For positive odds, divide 100 by (odds + 100).

Formula

Negative: impliedProb = |odds| / (|odds| + 100)
Positive: impliedProb = 100 / (odds + 100)

Worked Example

At -110 odds: impliedProb = 110 / (110 + 100) = 110 / 210 = 52.38%. A $100 bet returns $190.91 total ($90.91 profit).

Try It Yourself

Odds Converter

Convert between American, Decimal, Fractional and Implied Probability

Related Terms

Decimal Odds

An odds format showing total return per unit staked. Decimal 2.50 means $2.50 back per $1 bet.

Fractional Odds

An odds format expressed as a fraction (e.g., 5/2) showing profit relative to stake.

Implied Probability

The probability of an outcome implied by the odds. Includes the bookmaker's margin (vig).

Vig

The bookmaker's built-in commission. The difference between true odds and what you're offered.