The + and – signs before an odds value are shorthand for two different betting concepts. The first is that the – sign signifies the favorite and the + sign the underdog. The second is that the – and + signs before each side’s odds values indicate risk and win amounts.
Occasionally, an underdog + line will have a – before its odds value. For example, Miami +14 -105. It’s important to keep both concepts in mind when looking at US betting odds. We’ll review each below in order.
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Betting Underdog Side
The underdog line will always have a + sign for point spread, moneyline, and prop bets. This also includes puck line, run line, and soccer Asian Handicap lines.
A futures bet underdog will also have a + sign. Many futures bets will have more than one underdog. For example, NFL Super Bowl futures will often have one favorite, followed by all other NFL teams with + odds as underdogs.
Point Spread Underdog
The point spread underdog will always have a + line. In the following example, Nebraska is the +7 point underdog to Michigan.
- Michigan -7 -115
- Nebraska +7 -105
The numbers to the right of each line are odds values. Minus odds indicate how much you risk to win $100. In this case, Michigan bettors risk $115 to win $100. Nebraska bettors risk $105 to win $100.
Plus odds indicate how much you win if you risk $100. If Nebraska had +120 odds, you’d risk $100 to win $120.
Moneyline Underdog
The moneyline underdog will always have a + value. In the following example, Detroit is the +240 underdog to -300 Kansas City.
- Kansas City -300
- Detroit +240
Minus moneylines indicate how much you risk to win $100. Plus moneylines indicate how much you win if you risk $100. In this case, Detroit bettors risk $100 to win $240. Meanwhile, Kansas City bettors risk $300 to win $100.
3-Way Moneyline
3-way moneylines will have one favorite side indicated by a minus value. The other two sides will be underdogs with plus values. The lower plus value would be the next most likely outcome, while the higher plus value would be the least likely of all three outcomes.
- Chelsea -165
- Manchester United +400
- Draw + 333
In the example above, Chelsea is the favorite. A Draw is the next most likely outcome indicated by the lesser of the two + odds values. And Manchester United is the least likely outcome, indicated by the greater of the two + odds values.
Prop Bet Underdog
The prop bet underdog will always have a + value before its performance line or moneyline value. Consider the following examples:
Total Field Goals – Denver vs. Las Vegas
- 2.5 o -120
- 2.5 u +100
In the example above, the -120 after “o” indicates a result of 3 or more total field goals is the favorite outcome. The +100 after the “u” indicates a result of 3 or fewer field goals is the underdog outcome.
The same holds true for prop bet underdogs with moneyline outcomes:
Game to Overtime – Denver vs. Las Vegas
- Yes +400
- No -800
In this case, the +400 value after “Yes” suggests the game is unlikely to go to overtime. The underdog “Yes” bettors risk $100 to win $400. The -800 value after “No” means the game is not likely to go to overtime. Favorite “No” bettors risk $800 to win $100.
Futures Underdog
With futures bets, only one side will be the favorite with a – value. All others will have a + value, meaning they are less likely outcomes.
When all sides have a + sign, the side with the lowest + value would be the most likely among all others.
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FAQs
The underdog line will always have a + sign for point spread, moneyline, and prop bets. This also includes puck line, run line, and soccer Asian Handicap lines.
The point spread underdog will always have a + line. For example, Miami +14.
The moneyline underdog will always have a + value. For example, Las Vegas +400. 3-way moneylines will have 2 sides with + values, most commonly odds for a tie or draw.
The prop bet underdog will always have a + value before its performance line or moneyline value. The performance line with a + odds value is the underdog. A moneyline outcome with a + odds value is also the underdog. For example, “Yes” +400.
With futures bets, only one side will be the favorite with a – value. All others will have a + value, meaning they are less likely outcomes.
When all sides have a + sign, the side with the lowest + value would be the most likely among all others.
Sports Betting Lessons
- What + and – mean in betting
- What +125 and -125 odds mean
- What +1000 and -1000 odds mean
- +2.5 and -2.5 point spread
- +7 and -7 point spread
- 3 Game Parlay Bet Payout
- 5 Game Parlay Bet Payout
- 3-Way Moneyline
- +1.5 and -1.5 run line
- +1.5 and -1.5 puck line
- PK Point Spread Line
- Asian Handicap Lines
- What a Push Means
- Underdog + or – sign
- Alternate Betting Lines
- “No Action” Bet
- Betting Line Movements
- Sports Betting Expected Value
- Prop Parlay Bet
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Sports Betting Resources
- How to Read Sports Betting Odds – Our helpful tutorial explains what the numbers mean for point spread, moneyline, total, and Asian Handicap bets.
- Sports Betting Questions and Answers – Common sports betting questions and answers, a simple quick reference for beginners.
- Sports Betting vs Casino Gambling – Learn how sportsbooks and casinos make money, and the important differences between each business model.
- How to Read NFL Odds – Short and sweet guide to NFL point spreads, totals, and moneylines. We’ve got live example bets from upcoming NFL matchups.
- Point Spread Bet – Understanding the point spread is key to betting on football and basketball. Learn how the point spread bet works with our tutorial video and text.
- Over-Under Total Bet – Bet over or under the sportsbook’s line. We explain how to place this bet with easy examples, a video, and text explainer.
- Moneyline Bet – Whether it’s a 2-way or 3-way moneyline, we’ve got you covered. Moneylines are available for almost every major sport league, including football, basketball, baseball, hockey, soccer, tennis, and combat sports.
- Teaser Bet – A teaser is a modified parlay that lets you buy points to shift point spread and total lines in your favor. Our fun tutorial video and detailed text article explain how to place this bet.
- If Bet Win-Only – Sequence multiple bets together in an if-then sequence. Your next bet only sees action if the previous one wins. Ideal for bettors with small bankrolls.
- Futures Bet – We explain what a futures bet is, how it works, and when to bet on a future sporting event. Common futures bets include the winners of the Super Bowl, Final Four, Stanley Cup, World Series, and NBA Finals.
- Parlay Bet – Combine multiple selections into one bet that returns a huge payout if all your selections were correct. We explain how parlay bets work and provide common parlay payout tables.
- Progressive Parlay Bet – Also known as a “Close Call Parlay”, this parlay variant can win even if one or more of selections lose. Our article describes this bet in detail.
- Parlay Card Betting – Parlay cards are issued by major sportsbooks midweek, allowing bettors to make multiple point spread, total, and prop bet selections that can return big payouts. Not to be confused with an “off the board” parlay!
- Prop Bets – We explain what a prop bet is, how to place a prop bet, and provide an expansive list of sports leagues with plenty of props to bet on right now.