How to Read Soccer Odds for Beginners: Decoding the Basics

Soccer is one of the biggest sports in the world that is highly involved with betting, from team sponsorship deals to TV deals and more, and if you are a beginner understanding soccer odds can be a bit confusing. The good news?

Once you know the basics you will find it is easier than you’d have imagined. In this article, we will dissect the basics of reading soccer odds and walk you through different formats, how the numbers work, and how to bet smartly on a soccer match.

For someone looking to do more than just bet on soccer, bookies not on gamstop provide a wide series of soccer odds and markets. These Bet Platforms target bettors who want something alternative and have features and opportunities that are different from what others offer.

What Are Soccer Odds?

In simple terms, soccer odds are fundamentally a prediction of the chance of an event happening during a match and the potential payout if you place a winning bet. These odds are calculated by bookmakers taking into account team performances, player form, injuries, and other factors

Soccer odds allow you to bet on various outcomes, such as:

• The match winner
• The number of goals scored
• A specific player achievement, such as a player scoring a goal.

Common Soccer Odds Formats

Soccer odds are typically presented in three formats: decimal, American, and fractional. Any bettor must understand all of these formats.

• Fractional odds are common in the UK
  • Fractional odds look like this: 5/1 or 2/5. The first number gives you your profit relative to your stake and the second is your stake.
  • For example: 5/1: You receive $5 profit for every $1 that you bet (plus your original $1.) 2/5: If you bet $5 you’d win $2 (plus your $5 stake back).
• Decimal odds are common in Europe and Australia.
  • Decimal odds are simple. It simply means how much you’ll earn including your stake PER unit staked.
  • For example:
    • 6.0: If I bet $10 then I’d get $60 ($50 profit + $10 stake).
    • 1.5: If you bet $10 you will earn $15 ($5 profit plus $10 stake).
• American odds are the most common format used in the US
  • American odds are displayed as positive or negative numbers:
  • For example
    • Positive (+200): The $200 profit would have come from a $100 bet.
    • Negative (-150): In order to earn $100 profit, you must bet $150.

How to Make Sense of Soccer Odds in Practice

In order to read soccer odds well, it’s crucial to understand how they work in different betting markets. Here’s a quick breakdown:

Moneyline Betting

This is the simplest bet, where you pick the match winner:

• Manchester City: 2.5 (Decimal Odds). If Manchester City wins, the result of the bet would be 10 times 5 = $25 (the payout), i.e. the $10 bet recoups all of the initial stake, as well as $15 (profit).
• Draw 3.0. If the match ends in a draw, a $10 bet would return $30.
  Paris Saint-Germain: 2.0. For example, if PSG wins a $10 bet, it would return $20.

Over/Under Goals

In this market, you bet on the total number of goals scored being over or under a set number:
Over 2.5 Goals (1.8): If three or more goals are scored, a $10 bet will return $18.
Under 2.5 Goals (2.1): If two or fewer goals are scored, a $10 bet will return $21.

Handicap Betting

Handicap betting levels the playing field by giving one team a goal advantage or disadvantage:
Team A -1 (3.5): If Team A wins by two or more goals, you will win $35 on a $10 bet.
Team B +1 (1.9): If Team B wins or the match ends in a draw the bettor will get $19 after a $10 bet.

Final tips for Beginners

• Start Small
  • Start with small bets if you’re a beginner to know how odds function and to understand the vibe of soccer betting.
• Soccer betting
  • Stats from the research team, player form as well as more. The better your chances of success the more informed your bets are.
• Compare Odds
  • For the same match, other bookmakers offer different odds. Check out bookies not on gamstop, and see which ones offer the best value.
• Bet Responsibly
  • Set a budget and stick to it. That’s why soccer betting should be fun and shouldn’t affect your war chest.

Summary

To summarize, learning how to read soccer odds is essential for anyone looking to engage in soccer betting. By understanding the different formats—fractional, decimal, and American—you can confidently interpret odds and make informed decisions. Whether you’re betting on the match winner, total goals, or using handicap betting, mastering the basics will enhance your experience. Always remember to compare odds, start small, and bet responsibly to enjoy the process without unnecessary risks.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do odds work for dummies?

In simple terms, the greater the odds against a team, the bigger the payout will be for anyone who bets on that team and wins. 

How to calculate soccer odds?

To calculate soccer odds, first, understand the format: decimal, fractional, or American. For decimal odds, multiply your stake by the odds to get the total payout (e.g., a $10 bet at 2.5 odds returns $25). Fractional odds show profit relative to the stake (e.g., 5/1 means $5 profit for every $1 bet). American odds use positive (+200) or negative (-150) numbers, where positive shows profit on a $100 bet, and negative shows how much you need to bet to win $100.