When sports betting, the plus and minus signs usually show American betting odds. They tell you either how much you could win on a bet or how much you would need to risk to win a certain amount.
The plus sign (+) generally indicates the underdog and shows how much profit you can make from a $100 bet. The minus sign (-) generally indicates the favorite and shows how much you need to bet to make $100 in profit.
For example, if a team is listed at +150, a $100 winning bet would make $150 in profit, plus your original $100 stake. If another team is listed at -150, you would need to risk $150 to make $100 in profit.
Understanding these numbers makes it much easier to compare betting options and understand the potential payout before placing a wager.
What Does a Plus Sign Mean in Sports Betting?
A plus sign usually represents the underdog, although that is not always the case depending on the type of wager.
For example:
- +100 means you can win $100 in profit from a $100 bet.
- +200 means a $100 bet can produce $200 in profit.
- +300 means a $100 bet can produce $300 in profit.
- +500 means a $100 bet can produce $500 in profit.
The higher the positive number, the greater the potential profit on a $100 wager. However, a higher potential payout generally reflects a lower implied probability of winning.
Example of + Odds
Suppose an NFL team has odds of +250 to win a game.
If you bet $100 and the team wins:
- Profit: $250
- Original stake: $100
- Total return: $350
If the team loses, you lose the $100 stake.
You do not necessarily have to bet exactly $100. Your potential profit changes based on how much you wager.
For example, a $20 bet at +250 would produce $50 in profit, for a total return of $70.
What Does a Minus Sign Mean in Sports Betting?
A minus sign usually represents the favorite.
For example, odds of -150 mean you need to risk $150 to make $100 in profit.
Here are some common examples:
| American Odds | Amount to Bet | Profit |
|---|---|---|
| -110 | $110 | $100 |
| -150 | $150 | $100 |
| -200 | $200 | $100 |
| -300 | $300 | $100 |
You can also bet less than the amount shown in the odds.
For example, at -200, a $50 bet would make $25 in profit if it wins. Your total return would be $75, including your original $50 stake.
Why Are Favorites Shown With Minus Odds?
The minus sign is used to show that a team or player is considered more likely to win based on the sportsbook’s pricing.
For example, imagine an NBA matchup has these moneyline odds:
- Team A: -180
- Team B: +155
Team A is the favorite, while Team B is the underdog.
A $180 winning wager on Team A would make $100 in profit. A $100 winning wager on Team B would make $155 in profit.
The odds do not guarantee the outcome. They represent the sportsbook’s pricing of the betting market and incorporate factors such as perceived probability and the sportsbook’s margin.
What Does +110 or -110 Mean?
Odds close to +100 or -100 can sometimes be confusing.
At +110, a $100 bet would make $110 in profit, giving you a $210 total return.
At -110, you would need to bet $110 to make $100 in profit.
The -110 price is particularly common in point spreads and totals. For example, a sportsbook might list both sides of a point spread at -110.
That does not mean both teams are equally likely to win outright. It means the sportsbook has priced each side at that particular betting price.
How Do You Calculate the Payout?
For positive American odds, the basic calculation is:
Profit = Bet × (Odds ÷ 100)
For example, with +250 odds and a $40 wager:
$40 × 2.50 = $100 profit
Your total return would be $140.
For negative American odds:
Profit = Bet × (100 ÷ Absolute Odds)
For example, with -200 odds and a $40 wager:
$40 × (100 ÷ 200) = $20 profit
Your total return would be $60.
Remember that the original wager is included in the total return but is not part of the profit.
Do Plus and Minus Signs Always Mean Underdog and Favorite?
No. This is an important distinction.
When looking at a moneyline, positive odds generally identify the underdog and negative odds generally identify the favorite.
However, sportsbooks use plus and minus signs for several different markets.
For example, point spreads may have odds of:
- Team A -3.5 (-110)
- Team B +3.5 (-110)
Here, the -3.5 and +3.5 are the point spread itself, while -110 is the betting price.
The plus and minus signs therefore can mean different things depending on where they appear.
Plus and Minus in Point Spreads
In a point spread, the number tells you the handicap being applied to the teams.
Suppose an NFL game is listed as:
Chiefs -3.5 (-110)
Bills +3.5 (-110)
The Chiefs must win by at least four points for a Chiefs -3.5 bet to cover.
The Bills can either win the game outright or lose by three points or fewer for a Bills +3.5 bet to cover.
Notice that the -3.5 and +3.5 are not the same thing as the -110 betting odds.
The first number describes the spread. The number in parentheses describes the price of the wager.
Plus and Minus in Totals
Plus and minus signs can also appear around totals, although the total itself is usually displayed as a number such as 47.5.
For example:
Over 47.5 (-110)
Under 47.5 (-110)
The 47.5 represents the projected combined score, while -110 represents the price.
If the final score adds up to 51 points, the Over 47.5 bet wins. If the teams combine for 44 points, the Under 47.5 bet wins.
Are Plus Odds Better Than Minus Odds?
Neither is automatically better.
Plus odds offer a larger potential profit, but the outcome is generally considered less likely. Minus odds offer a smaller potential profit relative to the amount risked, but they are generally associated with favorites.
For example:
- +200 offers more profit for a $100 wager.
- -200 requires a larger stake to make $100.
The important question is not simply which number is bigger. Bettors should consider the probability of the outcome, the price being offered, and the amount they are risking.
Common Mistakes With Plus and Minus Betting Odds
One common mistake is assuming that +300 means you will receive $300 total on a $100 wager. It actually means $300 in profit plus your $100 stake, for a $400 total return.
Another mistake is confusing a point spread with the betting price. In -3.5 (-110), the -3.5 describes the spread, while -110 describes the odds.
It is also easy to assume that a favorite is guaranteed to win. A favorite can lose, and betting odds are not predictions with certainty.
Finally, remember that sportsbooks build a margin into many markets. The odds are designed to create a price for the wager rather than simply reflect a perfectly neutral probability.
FAQ
Does plus mean underdog in sports betting?
Usually, yes, when you’re looking at moneyline odds. Positive odds generally identify the underdog and show the potential profit from a $100 wager.
Does minus mean favorite in sports betting?
Usually, yes, for moneyline odds. Negative odds generally identify the favorite and show how much you need to risk to make $100 in profit.
What does +200 mean in sports betting?
At +200, a $100 winning wager produces $200 in profit. The total return would be $300, including the original $100 stake.
What does -200 mean in sports betting?
At -200, you would need to risk $200 to make $100 in profit. A winning $200 wager would return $300 in total.
What does -110 mean in betting?
At -110, you generally need to risk $110 to make $100 in profit. This price is common for point spreads and totals.
Can you bet less than $100 on plus odds?
Yes. The $100 example is simply the standard way American odds are displayed. Your potential profit is adjusted according to the amount you actually wager.
Conclusion
When sports betting, the plus and minus signs are part of American odds, but their meaning depends on where they appear. On a moneyline, positive odds generally identify an underdog and show the potential profit from a $100 bet. Negative odds generally identify a favorite and show how much you need to risk to make $100 in profit.
The key is to distinguish the betting odds from numbers used in a point spread or total. Once you understand that difference, reading a sportsbook’s betting lines becomes much easier.