4ranews / Other / Guides / Decimal Odds in Betting Explained

Decimal Odds in Betting Explained

November 10, 2020, 12:12
1,011
Decimal Odds in Betting Explained

In this article, we discuss decimal odds in betting. We define betting odds, explain how decimal odds work in betting, reveal how you can use decimal odds to make money and illustrate the relative advantages of using decimal odds rather than fractional odds.

Betting and odds are two sides of the same coin: you cannot have one without the other. Odds represent the probability of an event happening. When you bet on an event, you must first consider the odds offered on the event to decide whether it’s worth the wager. When the probability of an event is low, the odds offered are correspondingly high. In other words, you can win a higher return on your wager on the happening of a more unlikely event. Sportsbook operators display betting odds in many formats, of which decimal and fractional formats are the most universal.

Decimal Odds in Betting Explained

How Do Decimal Odds Work in Betting?

Decimal odds are easy to understand. For instance, in a cricket match between India and Australia, the respective odds may appear as 1.80 and 1.95. So, if you placed ₹100 on India to win the game, you would get 180 (100 x 1.80) if India won. Similarly, 100 wagered on an Australian win would fetch you a return on investment of 195 (100 x 1.95) if Australia emerged victorious. Thus, you would earn more from a bet on an Australia win, though the event is less likely to happen. Also, your return (180 or 195) would include the original stake of ₹100. In the above example, fractional odds would appear as 4/5 (80/100) and 4.75/10 (95/100).

What Are Decimal Odds?

The decimal odds of an event will include the amount staked as well as the return on that stake. So, by looking at the odds offered, we can understand what proportion of the staked amount we can earn. For example, decimal odds of 1.80 on an event will tell us that on a stake of 1 we can get a return of 80 paise. (One rupee equals 100 paise.)

Decimal odds can help us to deduce (a) What return we can get on our stake and (b) Whether our betting decision is more likely to succeed.

How to Use Decimal Odds to Make Money

An event in which we can earn an amount higher than the amount staked is an example of an “odds against” event. Thus, if on a stake of ₹1, we can get a return of more than ₹1, say 4, that would be an example of “odds against.” In such case, the odds would be quoted as 5.0.

An event in which we can earn an amount less than the amount staked is an example of an “odds on” event. Thus, if on a stake of ₹1, we get a return of less than ₹1, say 0.9, that would be an example of “odds on.” In such case, the odds would be quoted as 1.9.

An event in which we can earn an amount equal to the amount staked is an example of an “odds even” event. Thus, if on a stake of ₹1, we get an equal return of ₹1, that would be an example of “odds even.” In such case, the odds would be quoted as 2.0.

Advantages of Decimal Odds

It is easier to convert decimal odds to implied probability

  • Let’s consider the example of India vs Australia that we have mentioned earlier. We were given odds of 1.80 on India and 1.95 on Australia:
  • The implied probability that India will win can be calculated as 1/1.8 = 55.55% chances of winning.
  • The implied probability that Australia will win can be calculated as 1/1.95 = 51.28% chances of winning.
  • Once we have calculated the implied probability for each of the two possible events, we not only realise that India are more likely to win than Australia but also understand how much more likely.

Fractional odds can also become harder to understand

This is especially so when very large numbers result from our calculations. To cite an example, decimal odds of 1.36 can be converted into fractional odds of 18/50 or 9/25. If you plan to bet ₹10, it is easier to calculate your returns from the decimal odds which tell you that you will get a return of 3.60 on your stake.

Another instance when fractional odds become harder to understand is when the probability of an event is relatively high. For instance, decimal odds of 1.5 will convert into fractional odds of 1/2. In another instance, the fractional odds of an event can be quoted as 2/1 which could lead to some confusion unless that bettor has prior experience.

Decimal Odds in Betting Explained

Why Is It Important to Understand Odds?

If you are unable to understand odds, you won’t know how much you are likely to earn from a bet and whether you are getting good returns on your stake in a wagering transaction.

Should I Switch to Decimal Odds?

Decimal odds are easier to understand than fractional odds. For instance, decimal odds of 1.80 can also be quoted as fractional odds. A fractional odd is derived by dividing the amount of returns by the amount staked. Thus, decimal odds of 1.80 will convert into fractional odds of .8/1 or 8/10 or 4/5.

Let’s assume that we are trying to figure out how much we can earn and whether we are getting good returns by looking at fractional odds of 4/5. We must do many mental calculations. For instance, we must first conclude that on an investment of 5 we can earn a return of 4. Then we can further deduce that we can get 4/5×100 = 80% returns.

However, when we look at decimal odds of 1.8, a single glance tells us that we can get returns of 80 on 100 invested. This simplicity and ease of understanding is the main reason many sportsbook operators have switched from fractional to decimal odds.

In Conclusion

When we bet on a sporting event, we would like to know how likely it is that a preferred event (such as a win) happens. Thus, odds tell us about the implied probability of the desired event. Most sportsbook operators choose decimal odds, odds with a decimal point separating two figures. The decimal odds of an event will include the amount staked as well as the return on that stake.

Rating:
(Rating: 5.00 , Votes: 2 )

Last articles

Top Lowest Team Scores in Test Cricket
Articles
February 21, 2022, 13:45 2,619
Top Lowest Team Scores in Test Cricket

Contents1 New Zealand, Auckland, March 1955 (26 all out)2 South Africa, Port Elizabeth, February 1896 (30 all out)3 South Africa, Birmingham, June 1924 (30 all out)4 South Africa, Cape Town, April 1899 (35 all out)5 South Africa, Melbourne, February 1932 (36 all out) In this article, we look at the lowest team scores in Test […]

Suresh Iyer
Highest Scores Ever in a Pro Kabaddi
Articles
February 21, 2022, 12:56 2,021
Highest Scores Ever in a Pro Kabaddi

Contents1 Season 5 Patna Pirates 69-30 Haryana Steelers2 Season 7 Patna Pirates 69-41 Bengal Warriors3 Season 3 Dabang Delhi K.C. 34-67 Patna Pirates4 Season 5 Bengaluru Bulls 64-24 U.P. Yoddha5 Season 8 Dabang Delhi K.C. 22-61 Bengaluru Bulls6 Season 7 Puneri Paltan 40-60 Dabang Delhi K.C.7 Season 1 Telugu Titans 60-24 Puneri Paltan8 Season 7 […]

Jishnu Brahmaputra
First-Ever Pink-Ball Test Match
Articles
February 21, 2022, 12:50 2,186
First-Ever Pink-Ball Test Match

Contents1 The Changes2 The First-Ever Day/Night Test3 Further Appearances of the Pink Ball4 Future of the Format In the era that we live in, almost everything worth watching is being made compact for consumers who have increasingly shorter attention spans. Even sports broadcasters are obsessed with making things quicker for audiences, with slow over rates […]

Jishnu Brahmaputra
When Was the First Ever Test Match Played?
Articles
February 21, 2022, 12:20 2,144
When Was the First Ever Test Match Played?

Contents1 Cricket: From Child’s Play to International Spectacle2 Prelude to the Match3 The Game Begins4 After the Fact Every sport that we know of today had its humble beginning somewhere, after which it was further polished and refined until it became the sophisticated, competitive spectacle we know and love today. Cricket: From Child’s Play to […]

Jishnu Brahmaputra
Longest Winning Streaks in Test Cricket History
Articles
February 21, 2022, 11:00 2,211
Longest Winning Streaks in Test Cricket History

Contents1 1. West Indies (27 Matches)2 2. England (26 Matches)3 3. Australia (25 Matches)4 4. Australia (22 Matches)5 5. India (19 Matches)6 6. England (18 Matches)7 7. Australia (18 Matches)8 8. Australia (17 Matches)9 9. India (17 Matches)10 10. Australia (16 Matches) Losses are an inevitable part of any game. Any team that plays a […]

Jishnu Brahmaputra
Top 10 Youngest Cricketers in Test History
Articles
February 21, 2022, 10:20 2,258
Top 10 Youngest Cricketers in Test History

Contents1 1. Hasan Raza (Pakistan)2 2. Mushtaq Mohammad (Pakistan)3 3. Mohammad Sharif (Bangladesh)4 4. Aaqib Javed (Pakistan)5 5. Sachin Tendulkar (India)6 6. Aftab Baloch (Pakistan)7 7. Talha Jubair (Bangladesh)8 8. Nasim-ul-Ghani (Pakistan)9 9. Naseem Shah (Pakistan)10 10. Enamul Haque Junior (Bangladesh) The word ‘prodigy’ is thrown around a lot in sports, usually every time a […]

Jishnu Brahmaputra