If you've explored Asian bookmakers, you've probably noticed that many sportsbooks allow you to choose between several betting odds formats. Alongside Hong Kong and Malay odds, Indonesian odds are one of the most commonly used systems across specialist Asian sportsbooks.
At first glance, Indonesian odds can seem confusing because they use both positive and negative numbers. However, they're actually very logical once you understand how they're displayed. In fact, many experienced football bettors prefer Indonesian odds because they make it easy to identify favourites and underdogs while calculating potential profits quickly.
Whether you're betting on the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, FIFA World Cup or other major football competitions, understanding Indonesian odds will help you compare prices more confidently when using Asian bookmakers.
If you're still looking for the right sportsbook, our guide to the Top Asian Bookies compares trusted operators offering competitive football odds, Asian Handicap markets and excellent live betting.
What Are Indonesian Odds?
Indonesian odds are a betting format widely used by Asian bookmakers that displays positive and negative numbers to represent potential returns.
Unlike decimal odds, Indonesian odds don't include your original stake in the displayed price.
Instead:
- Positive Indonesian odds show how much profit you'll make for every one unit staked.
- Negative Indonesian odds show how much you need to stake to win one unit of profit.
If that sounds familiar, it's because Indonesian odds work very similarly to Malay odds. The main difference is that Indonesian odds are not restricted to values between -1.00 and +1.00, allowing them to display larger positive and negative numbers.
Despite looking different, Indonesian odds represent exactly the same probabilities and payouts as decimal, Hong Kong and Malay odds.
Why Are Indonesian Odds Used?
Indonesian odds remain popular throughout Asia because they clearly distinguish favourites from underdogs while making it easy for experienced bettors to assess value.
Many football bettors who regularly use Asian sportsbooks appreciate Indonesian odds because:
- They highlight favourites using negative numbers.
- They display underdogs using positive numbers.
- They make profit calculations straightforward once you understand the format.
- They're available across almost every major football betting market.
Most leading Asian bookmakers allow customers to switch instantly between:
- Indonesian Odds
- Malay Odds
- Hong Kong Odds
- Decimal Odds
This flexibility means you can use whichever system feels most comfortable.
How Positive Indonesian Odds Work
Positive Indonesian odds are relatively simple to understand.
The displayed number represents the amount of profit you'll receive for every one unit staked.
Example One
Odds:
+1.40
Stake:
£100
Profit:
£140
Total Return:
£240
Example Two
Odds:
+2.10
Stake:
£50
Profit:
£105
Total Return:
£155
As the positive number increases, your potential profit also increases, reflecting selections with a lower implied probability.
How Negative Indonesian Odds Work
Negative Indonesian odds represent the amount you need to risk in order to win one unit of profit.
For example:
Odds:
-1.25
You would stake £125 to win £100 profit.
Total return:
£225
Another example:
Odds:
-2.00
Stake £200 to win £100 profit.
Total return:
£300
The larger the negative number, the stronger the favourite is considered to be.
Although this format can seem unfamiliar initially, many experienced bettors appreciate how clearly it illustrates the balance between risk and reward.
Indonesian Odds vs Malay Odds
Because both formats use positive and negative numbers, Indonesian and Malay odds are often confused.
However, there's one important difference.
| Feature | Indonesian Odds | Malay Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Positive & Negative Values | ✔ | ✔ |
| Limited to ±1.00 | ✖ | ✔ |
| Larger Positive Odds Possible | ✔ | ✖ |
| Larger Negative Odds Possible | ✔ | ✖ |
| Widely Used by Asian Bookmakers | ✔ | ✔ |
In practice, both formats communicate the same information. Indonesian odds simply allow values outside the -1.00 to +1.00 range, making them more flexible for displaying larger prices.
If you'd like to understand the differences in more detail, read our Malay Odds Explained guide.
Indonesian Odds vs Hong Kong Odds
Hong Kong odds are generally regarded as the easiest Asian betting format because they always display profit using positive numbers.
Indonesian odds provide more information about favourites and underdogs through the use of positive and negative values.
Many experienced bettors become comfortable switching between both formats depending on the sportsbook they're using.
Our Hong Kong Odds Explained guide covers how that format compares with decimal betting odds.
Why Football Bettors Use Indonesian Odds
Indonesian odds are particularly popular on football betting markets, especially at specialist Asian sportsbooks.
You'll commonly find them available on:
- Match Winner
- Asian Handicap
- Over/Under Goals
- Correct Score
- Both Teams to Score
- Live Football Betting
Because Asian bookmakers specialise in football, learning Indonesian odds can make it easier to compare prices across different sportsbooks and betting markets.
For a complete overview of all Asian betting formats, see our Asian Betting Odds Explained guide.
Common Mistakes When Reading Indonesian Odds
Although Indonesian odds become straightforward once you understand the format, beginners often make a few common mistakes. Fortunately, they're easy to avoid with a little practice.
Assuming Negative Odds Mean You'll Lose Money
The biggest misconception is that a negative number means you'll make a loss if your bet wins.
This isn't the case.
A negative Indonesian price simply tells you how much you need to stake to win one unit of profit.
For example:
- Odds: -1.50
- Stake: £150
- Profit: £100
- Total Return: £250
The minus sign reflects the relationship between your stake and profit—not the outcome of the bet.
Treating Indonesian Odds Like Decimal Odds
Another common mistake is using decimal odds calculations.
Decimal odds include your original stake within the displayed price.
Indonesian odds do not.
Using the wrong calculation can lead to incorrect estimates of your winnings.
Assuming Indonesian Odds Offer Better Value
Changing the odds format doesn't improve your payout.
Whether you use:
- Indonesian Odds
- Malay Odds
- Hong Kong Odds
- Decimal Odds
…the implied probability and total return remain exactly the same.
The only difference is how the bookmaker displays the price.
Indonesian Odds vs Other Betting Odds Formats
Most leading Asian bookmakers allow customers to choose between several betting odds formats.
Here's a quick comparison.
| Odds Format | Displays | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Indonesian | Positive and negative values with no limit | Experienced Asian bettors |
| Malay | Positive and negative values between -1.00 and +1.00 | Regular Asian sportsbook users |
| Hong Kong | Profit only | Beginners and football bettors |
| Decimal | Total return including stake | UK and European bettors |
| Fractional | Traditional UK format | Horse racing and UK sportsbooks |
If you're just starting with Asian betting, many bettors prefer learning Hong Kong Odds first before progressing to Malay and Indonesian odds.
Indonesian Odds and Asian Handicap Betting
Like Malay and Hong Kong odds, Indonesian odds are frequently displayed alongside Asian Handicap markets.
Asian Handicap betting removes the possibility of a draw by giving one team a virtual advantage or disadvantage before kick-off.
For example:
- Manchester City -1.0
- Indonesian Odds: +1.15
Stake:
£100
Profit:
£115
Total Return:
£215
Or:
- Manchester City -1.0
- Indonesian Odds: -1.35
Stake:
£135
Profit:
£100
Total Return:
£235
Because Indonesian odds clearly show the relationship between risk and reward, they're popular with experienced football bettors who regularly wager on Asian Handicap markets.
If you're new to handicap betting, our Asian Handicap Betting Explained guide explains quarter-goal, half-goal and full-goal handicaps in detail.
Why Asian Bookmakers Use Indonesian Odds
Although decimal odds dominate European sportsbooks, Indonesian odds continue to be widely used across Asia.
There are several reasons for this.
Clear Favourite and Underdog Identification
Positive and negative numbers immediately indicate whether a selection is expected to win or is considered an outsider.
Useful for Experienced Bettors
Many regular Asian sportsbook users prefer Indonesian odds because they provide a quick way to judge the level of risk involved in a wager.
Popular Across Football Markets
Indonesian odds are commonly available on:
- Match Winner
- Asian Handicap
- Over/Under Goals
- Correct Score
- Both Teams to Score
- In-Play Football Betting
Easy to Switch Between Formats
Most modern Asian bookmakers allow customers to change their preferred odds format instantly, making it easy to compare Indonesian odds with Hong Kong, Malay or decimal prices.
Should You Use Indonesian Odds?
If you're new to betting, decimal or Hong Kong odds may feel more familiar initially.
However, if you regularly use Asian bookmakers, learning Indonesian odds is well worth the effort.
Once you understand how positive and negative prices work, you'll be able to compare odds more efficiently across specialist football sportsbooks and become more comfortable using Asian betting markets.
Since many bookmakers let you change formats at any time, you can always switch back to decimal odds while you're learning.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Indonesian odds?
Indonesian odds are a betting format used by many Asian bookmakers. They display positive and negative numbers to show either potential profit or the amount that must be staked to win one unit.
Why are some Indonesian odds negative?
Negative Indonesian odds indicate how much you need to risk in order to win one unit of profit. They don't mean you'll lose money if your bet wins.
What's the difference between Indonesian and Malay odds?
Both formats use positive and negative numbers, but Malay odds are restricted to values between -1.00 and +1.00, while Indonesian odds can extend beyond that range.
Are Indonesian odds better than decimal odds?
No. They represent exactly the same implied probability and payout. The only difference is how the odds are displayed.
Can I change Indonesian odds to decimal odds?
Yes. Nearly all Asian bookmakers allow customers to switch between Indonesian, Malay, Hong Kong and decimal odds within their account settings.
Are Indonesian odds used for football betting?
Yes. They're widely available on football markets including Match Winner, Asian Handicap, Over/Under Goals and live betting.
Which bookmakers offer Indonesian odds?
Most leading Asian sportsbooks support Indonesian odds alongside other popular betting formats.
Should beginners use Indonesian odds?
Beginners often find decimal or Hong Kong odds easier to learn first. Once you're comfortable with those formats, Indonesian odds become much easier to understand.
Final Thoughts
Indonesian odds are an important part of the Asian betting landscape and are commonly found at specialist football bookmakers. While the positive and negative numbers can seem unusual at first, the format becomes easy to use once you understand how profits and stakes are calculated.
Learning Indonesian odds gives you greater flexibility when comparing prices across Asian sportsbooks and helps you navigate popular markets such as Asian Handicap and live football betting with confidence.
If you're planning to bet regularly with Asian bookmakers, understanding Indonesian odds is a useful skill alongside Hong Kong and Malay odds. Together, these three formats cover the majority of odds you'll encounter on specialist Asian sportsbooks.
To compare bookmakers that support Indonesian odds, visit our Top Asian Bookies guide. You can also expand your knowledge by reading our Asian Betting Odds Explained, Hong Kong Odds Explained, Malay Odds Explained, and Asian Handicap Betting Explained guides.