American vs. Decimal Odds: Myths Debunked

Confused about American and decimal odds? Here's the quick breakdown:

American Odds use "+" and "–" symbols. A positive number (+150) shows profit on a $100 bet, while a negative number (–150) shows how much you need to bet to win $100.
Decimal Odds show total return per $1 wagered. For example, odds of 2.50 mean a $1 bet returns $2.50 (including your stake).

Key Facts:

Both formats give the same value, just displayed differently.
American odds are common in the U.S., while decimal odds are popular internationally.
You can easily convert between formats:
- Example: +150 (American) = 2.50 (Decimal).
- Example: –150 (American) = 1.67 (Decimal).

Quick Comparison Table:

Feature	American Odds	Decimal Odds
Display Format	+150 or -150	2.50 or 1.67
Profit Display	$100-based	Includes stake
Ease of Calculation	Varies by sign	Simple: Bet × Odds
Common Usage	U.S. Sports	Europe, Canada, Australia

No format is "better" - it’s about personal preference. Platforms like BettorEdge let you switch formats, making betting easier no matter where you’re from.

Decimal vs American Odds

American and Decimal Odds Basics

Let’s break down how these two odds formats work and how they calculate returns.

American Odds Explained

American odds show profit or required stakes based on a $100 base. They use plus (+) and minus (–) symbols:

Positive odds (+X) indicate how much profit you'd make on a $100 bet.Formula: Profit = (Stake × X) ÷ 100
Negative odds (–X) show how much you need to bet to make a $100 profit.Formula: Stake required = (Stake × 100) ÷ X

For example, if the odds are +200, a $50 bet would yield a $100 profit: (50 × 200) ÷ 100 = $100. If the odds are -200, you’d need to bet $200 to win $100: (200 × 100) ÷ 200 = $100.

Decimal Odds Explained

Decimal odds show the total return for every $1 you bet, including your original stake. The formula is straightforward:Return = Stake × Odds

For instance, if the odds are 2.50 and you bet $10, your total return would be $25: 10 × 2.50 = $25. This includes your $10 stake and $15 profit.

Now that you know the basics, we can clear up common misconceptions about these formats.

4 Common Myths About Odds Types

Myth 1: Decimal Odds Are Always Better

Decimal odds show the total return on a bet but aren't necessarily superior. For example, placing a $100 bet at -150 (American odds) or 1.67 (decimal odds) will still result in a total return of $167.

Myth 2: American Odds Are Too Confusing

American odds might seem tricky at first, but they're straightforward once you break them down. A favorite listed at -150 means you need to bet $150 to win $100. On the other hand, an underdog at +150 will give you $150 in profit for a $100 bet.

If you're switching between formats, converting them is simple:

Myth 3: You Can't Compare Formats

You can easily convert odds between formats. Here's a quick reference:

American Odds	Decimal Equivalent
+200	3.00
+150	2.50
-150	1.67
-200	1.50

Myth 4: Decimal Odds Aren't Used in the US

While decimal odds are more common internationally, they are available on many US betting platforms. They clearly display total payouts, making them a convenient option. You can choose the format that aligns best with your betting style.

In the next section, we'll compare these odds formats side by side for a deeper understanding.

Side-by-Side Format Comparison

American odds show the profit or stake relationship for a $100 bet. A positive number indicates the profit on a $100 wager, while a negative number tells you how much you need to bet to win $100. Decimal odds, on the other hand, represent the total return for every $1 wagered, making it easy to calculate your return with a simple formula: .

Here’s a comparison of the two formats:

Quick Reference Chart

Feature	American Odds	Decimal Odds
Display Format	-150 or +150	1.67 or 2.50
Total Return Calculation	Varies for positive and negative odds	Simple: Bet × Decimal
Profit Display	Direct for $100 bets	Requires subtracting the stake
Best Use Case	Standard bet amounts	Flexible bet sizes
Break-Even Point	-100/+100	2.00
Implied Probability	Needs conversion	Easy: 1 ÷ Decimal

For example, if you bet $75:

With American odds of -150, the profit would be calculated as .
With decimal odds of 1.67, the total return would be .

American odds are great for quickly understanding profit on round-number bets, while decimal odds work better for varying wager amounts. Up next, learn how these formats contribute to fair and clear betting on peer-to-peer platforms.

Odds Formats in P2P Betting

Understanding both American and decimal odds is key when betting in peer-to-peer (P2P) markets. These platforms allow users to set their own lines, making it essential to grasp these odds formats to bet confidently against others.

P2P platforms like BettorEdge focus on transparency, which helps create fairer betting markets. On average, BettorEdge users see 5–10% higher returns per bet, with over $100 million in matched orders across 47 states.

"BettorEdge is flat out the best Betting Platform out there... The key to this app is that you aren't betting against 'the house'... Which means you can finally make money betting on sports!"
John81433

BettorEdge Odds Tools Guide

BettorEdge provides tools to make switching between American and decimal odds seamless:

Real-time analytics to spot profitable trends
Community feed to learn from experienced bettors
Market orders for setting custom odds
Performance charts to find value opportunities

Data shows that exchange users on BettorEdge have about a 40% chance of being profitable, compared to just 2% for traditional sportsbooks. By removing the house edge, BettorEdge significantly improves the odds for bettors to succeed.

Conclusion

Looking at the benefits of peer-to-peer betting, it’s evident that understanding the mechanics behind American and decimal odds clears up any misconceptions - they both offer the same value. The transparency of BettorEdge’s exchange markets, driven by clear odds and user-set lines, ensures a fair playing field.

With BettorEdge’s analytics and bet-tracking tools, switching between formats becomes effortless, allowing you to focus on spotting opportunities rather than getting bogged down by calculations.

Ultimately, choosing between American and decimal odds is a matter of personal preference and strategy. The key is having the right tools to confidently navigate both formats, so you’re ready to capitalize on opportunities when they arise.