If you have entered the betting arena without having a clear strategy in mind then you might emerge out as a very disappointed bettor, not to mention that you might also lose a ton of money in the process. Just as a doctor would need the right skills before operating on a patient, you too must work tirelessly in understanding sports betting odds before you make a killing inside the betting arena.

Each fascinating sport including boxing, tennis, golf, baseball, football, basketball, horse racing, car racing, and several such more qualify for betting. Even when the sport is college football handled by way of the ncaa or pro football handled by the nfl, bets can be placed, even though the odds will surely differ in every sport and every game too. Odds are also displayed differently in various countries. By way of example, USA displays odds as American odds, i.e. -100, -230, etc, while Canada, Australia and European countries display odds as Decimal odds, i.e. 2.50, 1.30, etc, and the UK displays odds as Fractional odds, i.e. 8/8, 8/4, etc.

Sports betting odds also display the underdog team along with the top-dog, the over-under and also the spread through which you need to win if you decide to bet for or against the spread. A simple example will show you betting odds easily. For instance in an nfl match between the Buffalo Bills and the New York Giants, the odds may be displayed as under

Buffalo Bills -11.2 -120 -160
New York Giants +11.2 -120 +270

The very first sign next to the teams name indicates the underdog and also the top-dog. Hence, Buffalo Bills would be the top-dog due to the “-” sign whereas the Giants would be the underdogs due to the “+” sign next to it. The figure 11.2 indicates the spread plus the favored team has got to win with the points mentioned on the spread. The figure 120 implies that you will have to bet $120 to win $100 on that spread. The last figure of 160 near the Bills signifies that you have to stake $160 to win $100 together with your stake on that bet since the Bills are classified as the favored team to win. Alternatively, you only need to bet $100 to win $270 should you bet for the Giants since it is the underdog team.

The above was an illustration of betting odds from the American odds format. Each bookie displays odds in different formats however, you could quickly convert it in your format when using the odds converter obtainable in most websites. The Internet has today definitely made betting easier although you will definitely have to work on understanding and calculating the betting odds before you place your bet.

You will definitely be in a position to bet efficiently and convert most of your placed bets into huge wins in case you read and understand sports betting odds. Each sports book will display odds and you’ll have to choose sites that have the most effective odds that you can bet on. Understanding sports betting odds is essential if you wish to beat the odds and also the bookies and make a killing by winning the maximum amount of bets.