If you’ve been looking at our Match Schedule and scratching your head at numbers like +250 or -150, you aren’t alone. American betting odds (moneyline odds) look like math homework, but once you learn the rule of 100, they are incredibly easy to read.
Here is exactly how to decode the numbers you see on Finals 26 Hub.
The Plus (+) Means Underdog
Whenever you see a plus sign, you are looking at the underdog. The number tells you how much pure profit you would make on a $100 bet.
- Example: Let’s say Ghana has odds of +300 to beat Croatia.
- If you bet $100 on Ghana and they win, you get your original $100 back, plus $300 in profit. Your total payout is $400.
- A higher plus number means a team is less likely to win, which is why the payout is so rewarding.
The Minus (-) Means Favorite
Whenever you see a minus sign, you are looking at the favorite. The number tells you how much money you need to risk to win exactly $100 in profit.
- Example: France has odds of -150 against Senegal.
- Because France is heavily favored, you have to risk more to win less. You must bet $150 to win $100 in profit.
- If France wins, you get your $150 back, plus the $100 profit (total payout: $250).
Why Are There Three Odds in Soccer?
Unlike American football or basketball, soccer matches (during the group stage) don’t go to overtime. A game can end in a tie after 90 minutes. Therefore, bookmakers offer a “3-Way Moneyline”:
- Team A Wins
- Team B Wins
- Draw (Tie)
Pro Tip: Betting the “Draw” is historically one of the most profitable strategies in the group stages of the World Cup, as conservative teams often play not to lose rather than playing to win.
Now that you know the basics, head over to our Match Schedule, check out the AI Win Probability bars, and see if you can spot some value on the Polymarket odds!