Understanding how scores and odds work together is the foundation of sports betting. If you’ve ever been confused by numbers like -110, +150, or what a “point spread” actually means, you’re in the right place.
This guide will break down the key concepts, provide real-world examples, and show you exactly how to calculate potential payouts.
The Direct Link: How Scores and Odds Work
At its core, sports betting is about predicting the relationship between a final score and a benchmark set by the odds. Oddsmakers set these lines not to predict the exact score, but to create a balanced betting market. The three main types of odds you’ll encounter are all directly tied to the game’s score:
- Moneyline: Who will win the game?
- Point Spread: By how many points will a team win?
- Over/Under (Total): How many combined points will both teams score?
Breaking Down the Main Types of Betting Odds
| Bet Type | What You’re Betting On | Example Odds | Winning Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | The outright winner | Lakers -150, Celtics +130 | Your chosen team wins the game. |
| Point Spread | Margin of victory | Chiefs -6.5 (-110) | Team “covers” the spread. |
| Over/Under | Total combined score | Total 8.5 (-110) | Combined points are Over or Under the line. |
1. Moneyline Odds: Betting on the Winner
The moneyline is the simplest bet: you’re just picking which team will win the game outright. The odds tell you how much you can win based on a $100 wager.
- Negative Odds (-): The favorite. Shows how much you need to bet to win $100.
- Positive Odds (+): The underdog. Shows how much you would win on a $100 bet.
Practical Example:
Let’s look at a hypothetical NBA game:
- Los Angeles Lakers: -150 (Favorite)
- Boston Celtics: +130 (Underdog)
- To bet on the Lakers (-150): You need to bet $150 to win a profit of $100. Your total return would be $250 ($150 stake + $100 profit).
- To bet on the Celtics (+130): A $100 bet would win you a profit of $130. Your total return would be $230 ($100 stake + $130 profit).
2. Point Spread: Leveling the Playing Field
The point spread is used to make a lopsided game more even by giving a virtual advantage or disadvantage to each team. You’re betting on a team to “cover the spread.”
- Favorite (-): Must win by more than the spread.
- Underdog (+): Must win outright OR lose by fewer than the spread.
Practical Example:
An NFL game has the following point spread:
- Kansas City Chiefs: -6.5 (-110)
- San Francisco 49ers: +6.5 (-110)
- If you bet on the Chiefs (-6.5): They must win by 7 or more points. If they win 28-20, they cover (28 – 20 = 8, which is > 6.5). If they win 24-20, they do not cover (24 – 20 = 4, which is < 6.5).
- If you bet on the 49ers (+6.5): They can lose by 6 or fewer points, or win outright. If they lose 20-24, they cover (24 – 20 = 4, which is < 6.5). If they lose 20-28, they do not cover.
3. Over/Under (Total): Betting on the Combined Score
With an Over/Under bet, you are not betting on who wins. Instead, you are betting on whether the combined final score of both teams will be over or under a number set by the oddsmaker.
Practical Example:
An MLB game has an Over/Under of:
- New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox: Total 8.5 (-110)
- If you bet the Over: You need the combined runs (Yankees + Red Sox) to be 9 or more. A final score of 5-4 (9 total) wins. A score of 4-3 (7 total) loses.
- If you bet the Under: You need the combined runs to be 8 or fewer. A final score of 4-3 wins. A score of 5-4 loses.
How to Read and Calculate Your Payouts
You’ve probably noticed -110 next to the spread and total examples. This is the “juice” or “vig,” which is the commission the sportsbook charges.
- The -110 standard means you need to bet $110 to win $100.
- The calculation is simple: (Your Wager / Absolute Value of the Odds) x 100 = Potential Profit
Payout Examples:
- A $110 bet at -110 wins $100. Total return = $210.
- A $50 bet at -110: ($50 / 110) * 100 = $45.45 profit.
- A $50 bet at +200: ($50 / 100) * 200 = $100 profit.
Key Takeaways and Next Steps
- Moneyline is for picking the winner.
- Point Spread is for factoring in the margin of victory.
- Over/Under is for betting on the game’s total score, regardless of the winner.
- Negative Odds (-) indicate the favorite.
- Positive Odds (+) indicate the underdog with a higher potential payout.
The best way to get comfortable with how scores and odds work is to practice reading them. Find a sportsbook, look at upcoming games, and try to predict outcomes based on the moneylines, spreads, and totals. Now that you understand the basics, you can move forward with more confidence.
