What Is American Odds?
Synonyms:
| Chinese Terminology | English Terminology | Usage Instructions |
|---|---|---|
| American Odds? | American Odds | The most standard and commonly used formal term, emphasizing its origin in the U.S. market. |
| 金钱线赔率 | Moneyline Odds | Specifically refers to the American odds format used in Moneyline (Win/Loss) bets, commonly seen in American sports. |
| 正负赔率 | Plus/Minus Odds | A colloquial term that describes the structure of American odds, characterized by the use of “+” and “−” signs. |
| 美式赔率格式 | American Format Odds | A label found in platform settings or instructional materials for switching odds formats. |
| 北美赔率 | North American Odds | A less common usage, mostly found in region-specific gambling terminology. |
American Odds?（English：American Odds or Moneyline Odds）It is a widely used sports betting odds format inthe United States and North America, also known asMoneyline odds.:
Its main feature is the use ofpositive and negative numbersto represent odds.
-
A positive number indicates how much you can win from a $100 bet (applies to the underdog)
-
A negative number indicates how much you need to bet to win $100 (applies to the favorite)
Display and Calculation Logic of American Odds
| Type | Display Format | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Positive Odds | +150 | Bet $100 to win $150; total return is $250 |
| Negative Odds | -200 | Bet $200 to win $100; total return is $300 |
✅ Formula Summary:
-
Positive Odds：Profit = Bet Amount × (Odds / 100)
-
Negative Odds：Profit = Bet Amount × (100 / |Odds|)
For example,
🏈 Example 1 (Positive Odds):
-
Bet on a team with +160 odds
-
Bet amount: $100
-
If win: Profit = 100 × (160 ÷ 100) = $160, total return = $260
⚾ Example 2 (Negative Odds):
-
Bet on a team with −130 odds
-
To win $100, you need to bet $130
-
If win: Total return = $230 (including stake)
Applicable Scope of American Odds
| Region | Type of Sports Events |
|---|---|
| United States | American football (NFL), baseball (MLB), basketball (NBA), ice hockey (NHL), etc. |
| Canada, Mexico | Some platforms support switching to American odds format |
| International Bookmakers | Most offer American odds options to accommodate North American users’ preferences |
Comparison Between American Odds and Other Odds Formats
| Format Type | Example | Stake Included | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Odds? | +150 / -200 | ❌ NO | Uses positive and negative numbers to indicate underdogs and favorites; unique to North America |
| Decimal Odds (European Odds) | 2.50 | ✅ YES | Includes stake in total return; widely used internationally |
| Hong Kong Odds | 0.85 | ❌ NO | Displays net profit only; popular among Asian bettors |
| Malay Odds | -0.60 / 0.85 | ❌ NO | Positive and negative values represent risk-reward ratio; specific to Asia |
| Indonesian Odds | 1.25 | ❌ NO | Similar to Hong Kong odds, but supports odds greater than 1 |
Pros and Cons of American Odds
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Clearly distinguishes between favorites and underdogs | Positive and negative values can be confusing for beginners |
| Helps indicate the market's expected direction | Calculating returns often requires a formula or tool |
| Default format for North American bettors | Less familiar to users outside of North America |
Summary
American Odds are a type of odds format specifically designed for the North American market, using a positive and negative number structure to represent the relationship between betting risk and return.
-
Positive odds indicate “how much you win from a $100 bet”;
-
Negative odds indicate “how much you need to bet to win $100.”
Understanding American odds is highly valuable for analyzing the U.S. sports betting market, odds trends, and favorite vs. underdog distinctions, and is especially essential when betting on events like MLB, NFL, and NBA.