To bet successfully on football, you first need to understand how odds work. Odds tell you how likely something is to happen and how much money you’ll win if your bet is successful.
Bookmakers display odds in three main formats:
✅ Decimal Odds
✅ Fractional Odds
✅ American Odds
All three formats represent the same thing — probability and potential payout — just displayed in different ways.
This guide explains each format in simple terms, with examples and conversions.
What Are Betting Odds?
Betting odds show:
- The implied chance of something happening
- The return you receive if your prediction is correct
For example:
- Low odds = more likely outcome, smaller returns
- High odds = less likely outcome, bigger returns
No matter which format you use, the meaning is the same — only the presentation changes.
✅ 1. Decimal Odds (Most Common in the UK & Europe)
What decimal odds mean
Decimal odds show the total return for every £1 staked.
The number includes your stake.
Example:
Odds: 1.80
Stake: £10
Return = £10 × 1.80 = £18
Profit = £18 – £10 = £8
Implied probability formula
To convert decimal odds into probability:
Probability (%) = 1 / Decimal Odds × 100
Example:
1 / 1.80 × 100 = 55.5% probability
Why bettors like decimal odds
- Very easy to calculate
- Clear total return
- Used by all betting exchanges
✅ 2. Fractional Odds (Traditional UK Format)
What fractional odds mean
Fractional odds show how much you win relative to your stake.
Example:
5/2 means:
- You win £5 profit for every £2 you stake.
Example bet
Odds: 5/2
Stake: £10
Profit = £25
Return = £35
Implied probability formula
Probability (%) = Denominator / (Numerator + Denominator) × 100
Example with 5/2:
2 / (5 + 2) × 100 = 28.57%
Why fractional odds still exist
- Used historically by UK bookmakers
- Still popular in horse racing
- Many punters grew up with them
✅ 3. American Odds (US Format)
American odds use + and − numbers.
✅ Positive odds (+150)
Shows how much profit you'd make on a £100 stake.
Example:
+150 → Profit = £150 on £100 stake
Total return = £250
✅ Negative odds (−150)
Shows how much you must stake to win £100 profit.
Example:
−150 → You must stake £150 to win £100
Implied probability formulas
✅ For positive odds (+X):
Probability (%) = 100 / (Odds + 100) × 100
Example: +150
100 / (150 + 100) × 100 = 40%
✅ For negative odds (−X):
Probability (%) = Odds / (Odds + 100) × 100
Example: −150
150 / (150 + 100) × 100 = 60%
✅ Comparing the Odds Formats
All three formats ultimately represent the same thing.
| Format | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Decimal | 2.50 | Total return of 2.5× stake |
| Fractional | 6/4 | Profit of £6 for every £4 stake |
| American | +150 | £150 profit on £100 |
✅ Converting Between Odds
Decimal → Fractional
Remove 1, convert to a fraction, simplify.
Example:
Decimal 3.50 → Fractional 5/2
Fractional → Decimal
Divide numerator by denominator, then add 1.
Example:
Fractional 5/2 → Decimal 3.50
Decimal ↔ American
- Decimal under 2.00 = negative American odds
- Decimal above 2.00 = positive American odds
Example:
Decimal 1.67 → American -150
Decimal 2.50 → American +150
✅ Why Understanding Odds Helps You Bet Smarter
Knowing odds allows you to:
- Compare bookmakers properly
- Spot value bets
- Avoid being misled by long odds
- Understand implied probability
- Decide whether a bet is actually worth taking
It’s a core skill for any football bettor.
✅ Safer Gambling Advice
Understanding odds doesn’t guarantee success — it just helps you make better decisions.
Always:
- Set a clear budget
- Use deposit limits
- Keep stakes consistent
- Avoid chasing losses
- Don’t gamble when emotional or stressed
- Take breaks if betting stops being fun
Help and support:
- BeGambleAware.org
- GAMSTOP
- GamCare
✅ Related Glossary Terms
- Implied Probability
- Value Betting
- Betting Margins
- Football Betting Odds Explained
- Types of Football Bets
- How to Bet on Football
- Bookmakers
- Betting Exchanges