1. What Are American Odds?

American odds (also called moneyline odds) are primarily used in the United States. They can be either positive or negative numbers. Positive odds show how much profit you'd make on a $100 bet, while negative odds show how much you need to bet to win $100.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses these formulas:

Where:

• \( American \) — The American odds value (positive or negative)
• \( Decimal \) — The resulting decimal odds

3. Understanding Positive vs Negative Odds

Positive Odds: +150 means a $100 bet would win $150 (plus your $100 stake back).
Negative Odds: -200 means you need to bet $200 to win $100 (plus your $200 stake back).

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the American odds (with + or - sign) and your stake amount. The calculator will show the equivalent decimal odds, potential payout, and potential profit.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between American and decimal odds?
A: American odds show profit relative to $100 bets, while decimal odds represent total return per unit staked.

Q2: Which is better for calculating payouts?
A: Decimal odds are simpler for calculating payouts (just multiply stake by odds).

Q3: How do I convert decimal odds back to American?
A: For decimal ≥ 2: (decimal - 1) × 100. For decimal < 2: -100/(decimal - 1).

Q4: What does +100 mean in American odds?
A: +100 means you'd win $100 on a $100 bet (even money, equivalent to 2.0 in decimal).

Q5: Why do sportsbooks use different odds formats?
A: Different regions prefer different formats - American in US, decimal in Europe, fractional in UK.