What Does Minus & Plus Mean in Sports Betting? A Comprehensive Guide

On Sep 13, 2024 0

Sports betting can be an exciting and rewarding experience, but it often involves understanding a wide range of betting terms, symbols, and jargon. One of the most common symbols you may encounter is the “+” (plus) and “-” (minus) signs. If you’re new to sports betting, you might be wondering, “What does -+ mean in sports betting?” In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about these symbols, what they represent, and how you can use this knowledge to make better betting decisions.

Understanding the Basics of Sports Betting Odds

Before diving into the specifics of the plus (+) and minus (-) symbols, it’s important to understand how odds work in general. Sports betting odds represent the likelihood of a particular event happening, whether it’s a team winning a game or a player scoring a goal.

Odds can be presented in different formats, such as:

American odds (moneyline)
Decimal odds
Fractional odds

In this article, we’ll focus primarily on American odds, where the plus and minus symbols are most commonly used.

What Does the Minus (-) Sign Mean in Sports Betting?

When you see a minus (-) sign in sports betting, it indicates the favorite—the team or individual expected to win. The number following the minus sign tells you how much you need to bet to win $100. In other words, if you’re betting on a favorite, you’ll have to risk more money to earn a profit.

Example:

If you see odds like -150, this means you must bet $150 to win $100. If the favorite wins, you get your initial bet back plus the $100 profit. However, if they lose, you lose your $150 bet.

The minus sign helps indicate the amount of risk involved when betting on the favorite. The higher the number after the minus sign, the more likely the sportsbook believes that outcome is to happen—and the more you’ll need to wager to make a profit.

What Does the Plus (+) Sign Mean in Sports Betting?

On the other hand, the plus (+) sign represents the underdog, or the team or individual less likely to win. The number that follows the plus sign shows how much you can win if you bet $100.

Example:

If the odds are +200, this means a $100 bet would earn you $200 in profit if the underdog wins. You’ll also receive your initial $100 bet back, for a total payout of $300.

Betting on the underdog can be tempting because of the potential for higher payouts, but keep in mind that the sportsbook believes the underdog has a lower chance of winning.

The Relationship Between Plus and Minus Odds

In any given sporting event, the plus and minus odds represent a balance of risk and reward. Favorites come with lower risk but lower payouts, while underdogs present higher risk but potentially higher rewards. It’s important to understand this balance before placing your bets.

The minus (-) and plus (+) odds also tell you about the implied probability of a particular outcome:

Minus odds indicate the implied probability is higher than 50%.
Plus odds indicate the implied probability is lower than 50%.

What Does +- Mean in Spread Betting?

While + and – are typically used in moneyline betting to indicate favorites and underdogs, the symbols also play a role in point spread betting. Spread betting involves wagering on the margin of victory in a game, rather than just who will win outright.

In point spread betting:

The favorite will have a negative (-) point spread, meaning they must win by more than a certain number of points for the bet to pay out.
The underdog will have a positive (+) point spread, meaning they can lose by fewer points than the spread, or win outright, and still make your bet successful.

Example of Spread Betting:

If Team A is -6.5 and Team B is +6.5, this means:

Team A must win by 7 points or more to cover the spread and win the bet.
Team B can lose by 6 points or less, or win the game outright, to win the bet.

The +- symbols in spread betting essentially balance out the playing field by adjusting for the perceived strength of the teams.

Key Tips for Betting With Plus and Minus Odds

Understanding the meaning of the + and – symbols in sports betting is crucial, but knowing how to use that knowledge can make all the difference. Here are a few key tips to help you make better betting decisions:

1. Know the Risk-Reward Tradeoff

The minus odds indicate safer bets, but you’ll have to wager more to make a smaller profit. The plus odds offer higher returns but come with greater risk. Always weigh the risk against the reward before placing your bet.

2. Consider Implied Probability

The plus and minus signs give insight into the implied probability of an outcome. Use this information to compare what the odds suggest with your own analysis of the game or event.

3. Bet With a Strategy

While understanding odds is important, successful sports betting requires a well-thought-out strategy. Whether you’re betting on favorites with minus odds or underdogs with plus odds, ensure you’re using proper bankroll management and betting with a long-term approach in mind.

Final Thoughts on -+ in Sports Betting

In summary, the plus (+) and minus (-) signs in sports betting provide important information about the favorite and underdog in a given event. While the minus sign indicates how much you need to bet to win $100, the plus sign shows how much you stand to win on a $100 bet.

By understanding these symbols, you can make smarter and more informed betting choices. Whether you’re placing bets on a moneyline, point spread, or over/under, having a firm grasp of the + and – odds will help you navigate the world of sports betting with confidence.