Quick Answer
BetUS primarily uses American odds, although other formats may be available depending on your account settings. Betting odds show both the likelihood of an outcome and how much you could win if your bet is successful.
Once you understand positive and negative odds, you'll find it much easier to place bets confidently on BetUS.
What Are Betting Odds?
Betting odds are the bookmaker's way of showing the probability of an event happening while also calculating your potential payout.
Every market on BetUS displays odds before you place a wager, whether you're betting on football, basketball, baseball, UFC or another sport.
Generally speaking:
- Shorter odds indicate the favourite.
- Longer odds indicate the underdog.
- The greater the risk, the greater the potential reward.
Understanding odds is one of the most important skills for any sports bettor, regardless of experience.
American Odds Explained
American odds are the default format used by BetUS.
You'll see them displayed with either a plus (+) or minus (-) sign.
Positive Odds (+)
Positive odds show how much profit you'll make from a $100 stake.
For example:
+200
If you bet $100:
- Profit = $200
- Total Return = $300
The larger the positive number, the bigger the potential payout.
Negative Odds (-)
Negative odds show how much you must stake to win $100 profit.
For example:
-150
You would need to wager:
$150
to win:
$100 profit
Your total return would be $250.
Negative odds usually represent the favourite.
Decimal Odds
Some bettors prefer decimal odds because they're easier to calculate.
Instead of showing profit, decimal odds display your total return, including your original stake.
For example:
2.50
A $100 wager returns:
- Total Return = $250
- Profit = $150
Many international bettors use decimal odds because the calculations are straightforward.
Fractional Odds
Fractional odds are commonly used in the UK and Ireland.
Example:
5/2
This means you'll win $5 profit for every $2 staked.
If you wagered $20:
- Profit = $50
- Total Return = $70
Although American odds remain the default at BetUS, understanding fractional odds is useful if you follow betting markets outside the United States.
Common Betting Markets
Once you're comfortable reading odds, you'll encounter several popular betting markets.
Moneyline
Simply pick the team or player you think will win.
Point Spread
Rather than choosing the outright winner, you're betting on whether a team covers the handicap set by the sportsbook.
Totals (Over/Under)
Predict whether the combined score will finish above or below the total set by BetUS.
Parlays
A parlay combines two or more selections into a single wager.
Every selection must win for the bet to pay out, but successful parlays offer larger potential returns than individual bets.
Live Betting
Live betting allows you to place wagers after the game has started.
Because the odds constantly update throughout the event, they reflect what's happening in real time.
Why Do Betting Odds Change?
Betting odds aren't fixed.
Sportsbooks regularly adjust them based on several factors, including:
- Team news
- Injuries
- Weather conditions
- Betting activity
- Market movement
- Risk management
For example, if a star quarterback is ruled out shortly before kickoff, the odds may change within minutes.
This is completely normal and happens across all major sportsbooks.
Understanding Betting Value
Experienced bettors don't simply look for favourites.
Instead, they look for value.
Value betting means finding odds that you believe underestimate the true probability of an outcome.
For example, if you believe a team has a 60% chance of winning but the available odds imply only a 50% chance, that may represent a value betting opportunity.
While there's no guarantee of winning, consistently finding value is one approach many experienced bettors aim for over the long term.
My Experience
When I used BetUS, I found the odds easy to understand and clearly displayed across every betting market.
The bet slip automatically calculated my potential returns before confirming each wager, making it simple to check exactly what I stood to win.
Whether I was placing a standard pre-game bet or browsing live betting markets, I never found the odds confusing or difficult to follow.
Frequently Asked Questions
What odds does BetUS use?
BetUS primarily displays American odds.
What do positive odds mean?
Positive odds show how much profit you'll make from a $100 wager.
What do negative odds mean?
Negative odds show how much you need to stake to win $100 profit.
Can I change the odds format?
Alternative odds formats may be available depending on your account settings.
Why do betting odds change?
Odds change because of factors such as injuries, betting activity, market movement and sportsbook risk management.
Are bigger odds better?
Not necessarily. Bigger odds offer higher potential payouts, but they also represent outcomes that bookmakers consider less likely.
Which betting market is easiest for beginners?
Moneyline betting is generally the easiest market for beginners because you're simply choosing the team or player you believe will win.
My Verdict
Learning how betting odds work is one of the best investments you can make as a sports bettor.
Once you understand American odds, you'll be able to compare betting opportunities, calculate potential payouts and make more informed decisions before placing your wagers.
If you're new to BetUS, I'd also recommend reading my BetUS Review, How to Place a Bet on BetUS, BetUS Live Betting, BetUS Betting Limits, BetUS Deposit Methods, and BetUS Bonus Explained guides before getting started.