What Does the + and – Mean in Sports Betting? | 5 Easy Tips
What Does the + and - Mean in Sports Betting?
5 Brutal Traps
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What Does the + and - Mean in Sports Betting?
What does the + and - mean in sports betting? The minus sign (−) marks the favorite—it’s how much you must bet to win $100. The plus sign (+) marks the underdog—it’s how much profit you’d win on a $100 bet.
- Moneyline:
−150= risk $150 to profit $100;+150= risk $100 to profit $150. - Point spread:
−3.5means the favorite must win by 4+;+3.5means the underdog can lose by 3 and still cover. - Totals (O/U): Prices like
−110mean risk $110 to profit $100 on that side.
Credit: USA TODAY/IMAGN
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What Does the + and - Mean in Sports Betting?
5 Brutal Traps
If you’ve ever asked “what does the plus mean in sports betting?” or “what does the minus mean in sports betting?”, you’re in the right place. We’ll unpack how *plus (+)* and *minus (−)* work on moneylines, spreads, and totals, show you real math for payouts and *implied probability*, and then walk through the 5 brutal traps that trip up new and seasoned bettors alike.
What Does the + and − Mean in Sports Betting?
In American odds, the *sign* tells you favorite vs underdog, and the *number* tells you the price of the bet.
- Favorite (−): You must risk more than you profit. Example:
−150means risk $150 to profit $100. - Underdog (+): You profit more than you risk. Example:
+150means risk $100 to profit $150.
Synonyms people search for: what do plus odds mean, what do minus odds mean, plus vs minus betting explained.
How the signs appear on each market
- Moneyline (ML): The sign shows who’s favored.
−= favorite,+= underdog. - Point spread: The sign shows which team gives points (
−) or receives points (+). - Totals/Props: The sign is the price on each side (e.g., Over 47.5 at
−110).
Examples: Favorites vs Underdogs
Suppose Team A is −130 (favorite) and Team B is +120 (underdog).
- Bet $130 on Team A at
−130→ profit $100 if they win (total payout $230). - Bet $100 on Team B at
+120→ profit $120 if they win (total payout $220).
On the spread, you might see Team A −2.5 (−110) and Team B +2.5 (−110).
The spread number (±2.5) is the margin; the −110 is the price (juice).
Credit: USA TODAY/IMAGN
Implied Probability & Payout Math
Know Your Break-Even
100 / (odds + 100) • Negative odds: |odds| / (|odds| + 100)Examples:
−110 → 52.38% • −150 → 60.00% • +120 → 45.45% • +200 → 33.33%
Quick reference
| Odds | Break-Even % | Profit on $100 |
|---|---|---|
| −110 | 52.38% | $90.91 |
| −130 | 56.52% | $76.92 |
| −150 | 60.00% | $66.67 |
| +120 | 45.45% | $120.00 |
| +150 | 40.00% | $150.00 |
| +200 | 33.33% | $200.00 |
Plus/Minus Across Odds Formats
American odds explicitly show + and −. In Decimal odds, favorites are below 2.00 and underdogs above 2.00. In Fractional odds, favorites have a larger denominator (e.g., 4/5) while underdogs have a larger numerator (e.g., 5/2).
- American → Decimal:
−150= 1 + 100/150 = 1.67 •+150= 1 + 150/100 = 2.50 - American → Fractional:
−150= 2/3 •+150= 3/2
Live Betting, Parlays & Props
In live betting, the plus/minus can flip as the game evolves. A pre-game underdog can become a live favorite if momentum swings.
In parlays, you’ll see individual legs priced (e.g., a spread at −110); the book converts each leg to implied
probability and rolls them together. Props (player or team) also use American pricing—don’t ignore the juice on either side.
Credit: USA TODAY/IMAGN
The 5 Brutal Traps (and How to Beat Them)
Trap #1: Confusing Moneyline “+ / −” with Spread “+ / −”
What it is: On moneylines, the sign shows favorite (−) vs underdog (+). On spreads, the sign shows whether points are given or received, not who’s “better.”
Why it bites you: Bettors back an underdog +3.5 thinking it’s a plus-money payout when it’s actually a spread with typical juice like −110.
How to avoid: Always read the market label first (Moneyline, Spread, Total). Then read the sign and the price. If it shows +3.5 (−110), you’re taking points at a −110 price—not a +money payout.
Trap #2: Treating “Minus” as “Safe” (Ignoring the Vig)
What it is: A minus favorite feels safer but comes with a higher break-even %. −150 demands 60% just to break even.
Why it bites you: Small edges get erased by juice. A long run of small favorites at bad prices quietly bleeds units.
How to avoid: Convert the line to break-even % and compare to your true win rate. If your edge is thin, wait or price-shop. Consider passing rather than forcing action.
Credit: USA TODAY/IMAGN
Trap #3: Anchoring on the $100 Example (Bad Sizing)
What it is: The $100 reference is for teaching; it’s not a bet-sizing rule.
Why it bites you: Bettors over-risk on big favorites and under-risk on live dogs because the $100 shortcut skews intuition.
How to avoid: Size to your bankroll and edge (e.g., flat units or a conservative Kelly fraction). Use the calculator below with your stake to preview profit and payout.
Trap #4: Not Shopping Prices or Respecting CLV
What it is: Different books post different prices (e.g., −110 vs −105 vs −102 on the same spread).
Why it bites you: Paying extra juice compounds. Beating the closing line (getting a better number than the market settles at) is a strong sign of long-term edge.
How to avoid: Compare NFL Odds before betting. Track your **CLV**; aim to beat the close consistently, even if single results vary.
Credit: USA TODAY/IMAGN
Trap #5: Misreading Totals & Props Pricing
What it is: Totals and props often carry uneven juice (e.g., Over 47.5 at −120, Under 47.5 at +100).
Why it bites you: Extra juice raises your break-even. A thin “lean” at −125 isn’t the same as the same lean at −105.
How to avoid: Convert both sides to implied probabilities and demand a real edge. If the price is heavy, skip or look for alternative lines/alt totals.
American Odds → Break-Even %, Profit & Payout
Credit: USA TODAY/IMAGN
Practical Tips for Bettors
For those new to sports betting, here are some practical tips to keep in mind:
Tip 1: Start Small: Begin with small bets to get comfortable with the process and understand how odds and payouts work.
Tip 2: Do Your Research: Gather as much information as possible about the teams or players, including their current form, injuries, and historical performance.
Tip 3: Shop Around: Compare odds from different bookmakers to ensure you get the best possible payout for your bet.
Tip 4: Stay Disciplined: Set a budget for your betting activities and stick to it. Avoid chasing losses and bet only with money you can afford to lose.
Tip 5: Use Tools and Resources: Utilize betting tools and resources like odds calculators, expert analysis, and betting forums to enhance your understanding and improve your chances of success. 
Credit: USA TODAY/IMAGN
In sports betting, the plus (+) and minus (-) signs play a critical role in conveying the likelihood of an outcome and the potential payout. Understanding these signs helps bettors make informed decisions, manage their bankroll effectively, and place strategic bets. By grasping the basics of how these odds work, both novice and experienced bettors can enhance their betting experience and potentially increase their winnings.
FAQ: Plus (+) and Minus (−) in Sports Betting
What does the plus mean in sports betting?
The plus sign (+) marks the underdog. It tells you how much profit you’d win on a $100 bet (e.g., +150 pays $150 profit on $100 risk).
What does the minus mean in sports betting?
The minus sign (−) marks the favorite. It shows how much you must risk to win $100 (e.g., −150 means risk $150 to profit $100).
Is “−” always the favorite and “+” always the underdog?
On moneylines, yes. On point spreads, the sign shows who gives or receives points—not necessarily which team will win outright.
What does −110 mean?
You must risk $110 to profit $100. Break-even probability ≈ 52.38%. Common price for standard spreads/totals.
What does +200 mean?
Risk $100 to profit $200. Break-even probability = 33.33%. The higher the plus, the bigger the payout—because the win chance is lower.
Is + or − better to bet?
That depends on your strategy. If you think the favorite will win bet the (-), otherwise if you think the underdog will win, bet the (+).
How do I convert American odds to implied probability?
Use our calculator above or formulas: Positive odds → 100/(odds+100); Negative odds → |odds|/(|odds|+100).
Why do the same spreads have different prices at different books?
Books manage risk and market demand differently. Small price differences (−110 vs −105) add up over time—shop for the best number.
Can plus/minus flip during live betting?
Yes. As the game changes, a pre-game underdog can become a live favorite and vice versa. Always re-check the price and implied probability.
Do parlays change how plus/minus works?
No—the book converts each leg to implied probability and combines them. But remember: the true hold is higher on many parlays; demand value on each leg.
What’s the “vig” or “juice,” and why does it matter?
It’s the book’s fee embedded in the price (e.g., −110 instead of even money). The vig raises your break-even threshold—so you must price-shop.
Does −110 include juice?
Yes, the -110 means betting $110 to win $100, which by definition includes juice or vigorish (vig). If a book didn’t have juice, you would bet $100 to win $100 on even odds.