American odds is a format used to display betting odds. Positive and negative numbers are used to indicate potential profit relative to a 100 unit risk. American odds are frequently used in the United States.
How American Odds Work
The betting odds for any market will be either a positive or negative number. The negative numbers require an initial risk of that amount in order to profit $100. In the example below the New England Patriots are -180 favorites on the moneyline. A risk of $180 would yield $100 profit for a total return of $280.
| Team | Spread | Total | Moneyline | |
|
New England Patriots | -3.5 (-110) | Over 44.5 (-110) | -180 |
|
Baltimore Ravens | +3.5 (-110) | Under 44.5 (-110) | +160 |
Positive numbers will require a risk of $100 in order to profit that amount. Using the same example the Baltimore Ravens are +160 underdogs on the moneyline. A bettor who risks $100 would stand to make $160 profit for a total return of $260. It's important to note that the bettor can wager any amount they want within their sportsbook's defined limits and are not restricted to $100 intervals.
The more favored a market is to win the more negative the American odds will be. The bettor is required to risk larger amounts to yield the same $100 profit. Consequently the more of an underdog a market is the larger the positive number. The bettor will receive a greater return on their $100 wager if it were to win. The following table features some example payouts for American odds as well as displays the transition between positive and negative odds.
| Moneyline Odds | Risk | Profit | Return |
| -500 | $500 | $100 | $600 |
| -250 | $250 | $100 | $350 |
| -125 | $125 | $100 | $225 |
| -110 | $110 | $100 | $210 |
| -105 | $105 | $100 | $205 |
| -101 | $101 | $100 | $201 |
| +100 | $100 | $100 | $200 |
| +101 | $100 | $101 | $201 |
| +105 | $100 | $105 | $205 |
| +110 | $100 | $210 | |
| +125 | $100 | $125 | $225 |
| +250 | $100 | $250 | $350 |
| +500 | $100 | $500 | $600 |
In the example below the New England Patriots are favored to win with -180 moneyline odds. A bet of $180 would yield a profit of $100 for a total return of $280 in the event of an outright Patriot victory by any margin. The Baltimore Ravens are underdogs with +160 moneyline odds. A wager of $100 would produce a $160 profit and a total return of $260 should the Ravens win.
| Team | Spread | Total | Moneyline | |
|
|
New England Patriots | -3.5 (-110) | Over 44.5 (-110) | -180 |
|
|
Baltimore Ravens | +3.5 (-110) | Under 44.5 (-110) | +160 |