What Do + And - Mean in Sports Betting?
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Last Updated: 7 August, 2025
If you’re new to sports betting, the plus (+) and minus (–) signs can be confusing.
But once you understand them, they’re easy to read and they tell you a lot.
The plus sign (+) shows which team or outcome is the underdog. A bet on the underdog pays more money if it wins.
The minus sign (–) means the team or outcome is the favorite. You’ll need to risk more money to win less, but the bet is more likely to hit.
Odds with + or – don’t just show who’s expected to win.
They also help you calculate payouts and understand how the sportsbook views each side.
Types of Betting Odds
Sportsbooks display odds in different formats.
In the US, you'll mostly see American odds, but some sites also offer decimal or fractional formats.
Knowing how each works helps you understand payouts, no matter which format you’re using.
Odds format comparison
All examples assume a $100 wager unless stated otherwise.
How to read each format
Whether it's American, decimal or fractional, sometimes betting sites post odds differently.
However, they all mean the same thing, just presented in an alternative way.
Here's what you need to know...
American Odds
Minus (-) shows the favorite. You risk more to win less.
Plus (+) shows the underdog. You risk less to win more.
Decimal Odds
Multiply your bet by the decimal number to see the total payout (including your original bet).
Fractional Odds
Read it as “profit/your stake.” So 5/1 means five units of profit for every one unit you bet.
Most US sports betting apps and sites use American odds by default, but some let you switch formats in the settings.
How the + and – work in spreads and moneylines
The plus (+) and minus (–) signs don’t just apply to odds.
You’ll also see them in point spreads.
In both cases, they show who’s favored and how the bet works.
Moneyline odds
Moneyline bets are straight-up picks, who will win the game.
A minus (-) shows the favorite.
A plus (+) shows the underdog.
Example:
Eagles -150 → Bet $150 to win $100 (lower payout, more likely to win)
Giants +180 → Bet $100 to win $180 (higher payout, less likely to win)
In some sports (like soccer), both teams may have + odds.
The team with the smaller number is the favorite.
Point spread
In spread bets, the minus (-) team must win by a certain number of points.
The plus (+) team can lose and still cover the spread.
Example:
Cowboys -7 → Must win by more than 7 points
Packers +7 → Can lose by up to 6 points or win outright
If the Cowboys win by exactly 7, the bet is a push, and your money is refunded.
Quick comparison
In both cases, minus = favorite and plus = underdog.
The signs tell you who’s expected to win and how much risk is involved.
Real-life examples
Understanding odds is easier when you see them in action.
Let’s break down how payouts work using moneyline, spread, and prop bets across the different formats.
1. American odds (Moneyline)
Game: Los Angeles Kings vs. Edmonton Oilers
Kings: +180
Oilers: -221
If you bet $100 on the Kings (+180), you'd win $180 profit if they win.
If you bet $221 on the Oilers (-221), you'd win $100 profit.
Even though the Oilers are more likely to win, you have to risk more to make less.
2. Decimal example
Game: Mavericks vs. Suns
Mavericks: 3.10
Suns: 1.40
A $10 bet on the Mavericks (3.10) pays $31 total ($21 profit).
A $10 bet on the Suns (1.40) pays $14 total ($4 profit).
Decimal odds include your stake in the payout.
3. Fractional example
Game: Athletics vs. Tigers
Athletics: 6/5
Tigers: 5/7
A $5 bet on the Athletics (6/5) pays $11 total ($6 profit).
A $7 bet on the Tigers (5/7) pays $12 total ($5 profit).
The smaller the fraction, the bigger the favorite and the lower the payout.
4. Prop bet example (first basket scorer)
Game: 76ers vs. Heat
Bam Adebayo: +425
Joel Embiid: +425
James Harden: +700
A $1 bet on Adebayo or Embiid pays $5.25 total.
A $1 bet on Harden pays $8 total.
These bets are harder to hit, so the payouts are higher.
5. Point spread example
Game: Mavericks +6 vs. Suns -6
Odds: -110 on both sides
A $110 bet on either side pays $100 profit.
If the Suns win by 7+, that bet hits. If the Mavericks lose by 5 or less (or win), that bet hits.
Spreads are made to balance the game.
That’s why odds are often equal.
Betting strategy: Risk vs reward
We’ve placed plenty of bets ourselves, and one thing’s always true: every bet has risk.
The key is knowing when the reward is worth it.
Betting favorites (– Odds)
When we bet on favorites (teams with minus odds), we usually win more often, but the payout isn’t huge.
Example: We’ve taken teams at -150. That means betting $150 to win $100. It’s safer, but we’re risking more for a smaller return.
Betting underdogs (+ Odds)
We’ve also taken underdogs (teams with plus odds) when we felt they had a real shot.
Example: A +180 bet means you risk $100 to win $180. If it hits, it feels great, but it’s harder to get right.
How we find value
We don’t just chase the big payout or the “safe” pick.
We look for bets that feel worth it.
Before we place a bet, we ask:
Is this underdog being underrated?
Is this favorite too expensive for the risk?
Over time, we’ve learned it’s not about always winning, it’s about making smart calls.
Sometimes, the best bet isn’t the obvious one.
Why odds change
We’ve seen odds change all the time, sometimes even right before a game starts.
Why it happens
Odds change because something important happened, like:
A player gets hurt
A team changes its lineup
Lots of people are betting on one side
Sportsbooks move the odds to keep the betting balanced.
What we watch for
When odds move, we take a second look.
If the odds on a team get better or worse, it could mean something changed.
Sometimes it’s news.
Sometimes it’s just people betting heavily on one team.
Simple advice
Odds don’t move for no reason.
You don’t have to chase every change, but it’s smart to notice when something shifts and ask why.
Shopping for the best odds
One thing we always do before placing a bet?
We check a few online sportsbooks.
The odds aren’t always the same everywhere, and even a small difference can matter.
Benefits
Let’s say one book has a team at -110, and another has the same team at -105.
That might not look big, but over time, it adds up.
Better odds mean better payouts or lower risk.
We’ve had bets where just shopping around gave us a few extra dollars back, no extra work, just smarter timing.
What we recommend
If you can, use more than one sportsbook.
Compare the odds before you place your bet.
It only takes a minute, and it can save you money in the long run.
It’s one of the easiest ways to become a better bettor.
Frequently asked questions
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References
Contributors
Bradley Gibbs
Author
With over 12 years of experience, Bradley Gibbs is a seasoned sports betting writer and analyst specializing in uncovering value bets across football, horse racing, tennis, and golf.
His extensive coverage of these sports has been featured on numerous websites and in The Racing & Football Outlook, a renowned UK betting publication.
Bradley's expertise lies in identifying betting edges and delivering insightful, data-driven content for informed wagering.
Josh Miller
Reviewed By
Josh Miller, Sporting Post’s Sports & Casino Editor, brings over five years of experience in feature writing, blogging, and SEO.
With a strong background in football coverage and sports betting, his work has been featured in VAVEL.
Josh also writes extensively about online casinos, providing expert insights into games, bonuses, and gambling trends.
His engaging and informative content makes him a reliable resource for Sporting Post readers.