Betting Strategy
What are Moneyline Odds?
Moneyline odds denote the payout of a bet. In the United States, they are centered around the number 100.
- Negative Odds (e.g., -150): This is the favorite. The number indicates how much you must bet to win $100.
Example: Bet $150 to win $100 (Total Payout: $250). - Positive Odds (e.g., +200): This is the underdog. The number indicates how much you win if you bet $100.
Example: Bet $100 to win $200 (Total Payout: $300).
Odds Converter & Potential
Scroll horizontally to see odds from the heavy favorites to longshot underdogs. Values assume a standard $100 bet.
Bonus Conversion Visualizer
X-Axis: Moneyline Odds | Y-Axis: Conversion % (Profit/Bonus)
What is Vig?
"Vig" (short for vigorish), also known as "juice," is the fee the sportsbook charges for taking your bet. It is baked into the odds.
Example: In a perfectly fair coin flip, the odds should be +100 (Heads) and +100 (Tails). However, a sportsbook will typically offer -110 (Heads) and -110 (Tails).
That difference is the vig. Over time, this fee eats into your profits, which is why finding "Positive Expected Value" (+EV) bets is critical.
How can I place more intelligent bets?
To place intelligent bets, you must stop thinking about "who will win" and start thinking about price.
1. Line Shopping
If DraftKings has the Chiefs at -110 and FanDuel has them at +105, you must bet on FanDuel. This small difference adds up to thousands of dollars over a year.
2. +EV Betting
Positive Expected Value (+EV) means making a bet where the probability of winning is higher than the implied probability of the odds. If you believe a team has a 50% chance to win, but the book is paying out like they only have a 40% chance (+150), that is a profitable bet in the long run.