Beginner’s Guide to Reading Football Odds

Decimal, fractional, and American odds

Different bookmakers display odds in different formats, but all three describe the same thing: how much you stand to win compared to your stake. On our platform we use decimal odds because they are easier to understand and calculate.

How decimal odds work

Decimal odds show the total return for every 1 unit staked, including your original stake. For example, odds of 2.00 mean that a 1,000 stake returns 2,000 (1,000 profit plus 1,000 stake). Odds of 1.50 mean a 1,000 stake returns 1,500.

To calculate potential return, use a simple formula: return = stake × decimalOdds. To find the implied probability, use: impliedProbability = 1 / decimalOdds. So odds of 2.00 imply a 50% chance, and odds of 1.50 imply about 66.7%.

Favourites vs underdogs

The lower the odds, the more likely the event is expected to happen. Heavy favourites might be priced at 1.30 or 1.40, while underdogs could be at 4.00, 5.00, or even higher. This does not mean the favourite always wins. It simply means the bookmaker believes the favourite wins more often than not.

Using odds with predictions

When you look at our predictions, combine them with the odds from your bookmaker. If our model suggests a team has a 60% chance to win, but the bookmaker offers odds that imply only a 45% chance, there may be value in that bet.

Practical example

Imagine a match where the home team is priced at 1.80, the draw at 3.60, and the away team at 4.50. The implied probabilities are around 55.6%, 27.8%, and 22.2%. If your analysis or our tips suggest the away team actually has closer to a 30% chance, those 4.50 odds might offer value.

Once you are comfortable reading odds and converting them to probabilities, every bet you place will be more informed and more strategic.