Nolan Rev's Podcast 2026

Understanding + and - in Sports Betting: What They Really Mean

Episode Summary

Sports betting can be confusing, especially when you’re a beginner + and - in sports betting. One of the most basic things new punters struggle to understand is how bookmakers use the + and – signs very much in their own self-interest. Whether you're betting on football, basketball, or any other sport, these symbols are used to represent the odds of a sporting event and what you will win from your bet. But what exactly do they mean when it comes to sports betting? In this piece, we’ll explain...

Episode Notes

Sports betting can be confusing, especially when you’re a beginner + and - in sports betting. One of the most basic things new punters struggle to understand is how bookmakers use the + and – signs very much in their own self-interest. Whether you're betting on football, basketball, or any other sport, these symbols are used to represent the odds of a sporting event and what you will win from your bet. But what exactly do they mean when it comes to sports betting?

In this piece, we’ll explain the meaning of the + and – when it comes to sports betting, how they fit into odds, and what knowledge you can apply to make smarter bets.

What Does + and - Mean in Sports Betting?

When you’re considering odds, it’s typical to see numbers beginning with a plus (+) or minus (-) sign. These are signs that show:

• (Plus sign): Denotes the underdog
  
  
  
• (Minus sign): Shows the favorite

In other words:

• The + sign indicates that the team or player doesn’t stand a good chance to win, and betting on them would result in an amplified payout.
  
  
  
• The - sign shows which team is a favorite to win (in this case, have one point deducted from its score), but the payout is much less because that team is more likely to win.

Example:

• Team A: +200
  
  
  
• Team B: -150
  
  
  

In this case, Team A is the underdog and Team B is the favorite.

What Effect Do + and - Have on Your Bet?

The + and - symbols indicate how much you can win compared to how much you bet. This is vital if you want to make informed decisions while betting.

The Plus (+) Sign

When the odds are positive (+), they show how much profit you would make on a $100 bet. The higher the number after the +, the larger the payout for betting on the underdog.

Example of + Odds:

• Odds for Team A: +200
  
  
  
• If you bet $100 on Team A and it wins, your total payout is $200 profit plus your $100 stake, totaling $300.
  
  
  

The + sign means that Team A is the underdog and the potential reward is greater if you win.

The Minus (-) Sign

When the odds are negative (-), they show how much you need to bet to make $100 profit. The lower the negative number, the more you must wager to win $100.

Example of - Odds:

• Odds for Team B: -150
  
  
  
• You would need to bet $150 to win $100 profit.
  
  
  
• If Team B wins, your total return is $250 ($150 stake + $100 profit).
  
  
  

The - sign indicates Team B is the favorite, with a smaller potential payout but lower risk.

Payouts Using + and – Odds

Calculating Payouts for Plus (+) Odds

Formula:
Profit = (Stake × Odds) / 100

Example:

• Bet $50 on a team with +200 odds:
  
  
  
• Profit = (50 × 200) / 100 = 100
  
  
  
• Total payout = $50 stake + $100 profit = $150
  
  
  

Calculating Payouts for Minus (-) Odds

Formula:
Profit = (Bet Amount / Odds) × 100

Example:

• Wager $150 on a team with -150 odds:
  
  
  
• Profit = (150 / 150) × 100 = 100
  
  
  
• Total payout = $150 stake + $100 profit = $250
  
  
  

Implied Probability and + / - Odds

The + and - odds indicate the likelihood of each outcome