Now that we understand odds, here's a look at how they work in some major sports. It shows how many points the better team is expected to win a game by. The point spread is also crucial in understanding moneylines. However, if you wager on a -150 favorite team, you'll need to wager $150 to win $100. In contrast, underdogs will have larger odds, like +250 and above, since they have a worse probability of winning a game.įor instance, if you wager $100 on a +150 underdog, you'll get a total payout of $250 ($150 in winnings + your initial bet amount). The odds may vary depending on the teams involved, with some major teams or favorites reaching up to -200 because of their strength. On the other hand, the (-) indicates the favorite and shows you how much you will need to risk to win $100 along with your initial bet. The (+) indicates the underdog and shows you how much profit you get when you bet $100. In most instances, odds are based on a $100 bet and are represented by (–) or (+) in front of numbers. Odds are easy to read, especially in sports like the NFL and NBA. Odds indicate the amount you win in comparison to your bet. The first step is understanding what odds mean. Before making a moneyline bet on any sport, it is important to know how it differs between each.