Odds format

A set of odds can be displayed a few different ways. The value behind it stays the same, only the notation differs. The important thing is that all formats describe the same probability. So you only have to convert the format, not the actual assessment.

In Germany, decimal odds are the standard. With them, you multiply your stake by the odds and see the possible payout including the stake immediately.

possible payout = stake x decimal odds

Decimal odds of 2.50 at a 10-euro stake therefore give 25.00 euros. That is why this format is so common: you recognise your possible result at a glance. The other formats describe the same bet, but require an intermediate step in your head. Once you are used to decimal odds, you usually find them the clearest variant.

The guide Understanding betting odds explains the wider context.

The same bet can be expressed in any format. The following table shows how odds of 1.85 look in the three common formats and what they mean at a 10-euro stake:

You can see: the pure winnings of 8.50 euros are the same in all three rows. Only the notation differs. The decimal odds tell you the full payout of 18.50 euros including the stake. The fractional odds tell you only the pure winnings of 8.50 euros. If you don't keep these two apart, you misjudge the possible payout. That is why decimal odds suit beginners: they show directly the figure that ends up on your slip.

Three formats are widespread worldwide. Each has its own logic, but describes the same probability:

• Decimal odds: a number like 1.85. The standard in Germany. Stake times odds gives the payout including the stake.
• Fractional odds: a notation like 17/20. Above all in the United Kingdom. They show the pure winnings in relation to the stake.
• American odds: a value like plus 150 or minus 200. Usual in the USA. Plus shows the winnings on 100 units of stake, minus the stake needed for 100 units of winnings.

You convert fractional odds easily. Divide the numerator by the denominator and add 1. 17/20 becomes 0.85 plus 1, i.e. 1.85. That way you get the familiar decimal odds from any fractional odds. With American odds, the logic is different. A minus value tells you how much you have to stake to win 100 units. A plus value tells you how much you win on 100 units of stake. For everyday use in Germany, you rarely need these formats, but it doesn't hurt to know them.

When dealing with odds formats, there are a few pitfalls that quickly lead to mistakes:

• Check the format: on international sites, decimal odds aren't always set
• Change the setting: you can usually switch the format to decimal in the options
• Don't confuse the fraction: fractional odds show only the winnings, not the full payout
• At the betting shop: on site and with German providers you almost always see decimal odds

The most common mistake is to read fractional odds like decimal odds. Anyone who confuses 17/20 with 1.85 misjudges the payout completely. If in doubt, switch the format to decimal before the bet. That way you always calculate with the same yardstick. Sports betting is permitted from the age of 18 (21 in Bremen). Pay attention to which format you currently have in front of you, so that you assess the possible payout correctly.