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The types of bookmaker odds and the way to calculate them

2 min read
by Judith Martí Herrero
Nowadays there are three types of odds: English, European and American. They are similar, but have certain differences as well as pros and cons.

Whether you are a regular punter in the world of betting, or you are interested in sports and want to learn how to bet, in the following article you can get information on what kind of bookmaker’s odds are currently on the market and how to calculate them. In addition, you will also have access to a bookmakers list to start digging into the world of sports betting or to expand the information you may have.

First of all, it is important to clarify that these are “odds”, as there can be misunderstandings. In general, they can be described as possibilities for something to happen. In relation to betting, it refers to those odds that the player has of winning the bet he has placed or intends to place. Depending on the country, the player and many other issues, the way of calculating these odds varies, but it is always good to know certain tricks and to be able to use them at the right time.

Nowadays there are three types of odds: English, European and American. They are similar, but have certain differences as well as pros and cons.

English odds

As far as traditional English odds are concerned, it is worth mentioning that many of the major bookmakers and betting companies have their origins and headquarters in England. So, logically, betting in this country is popular and an interesting activity to analyse. One of the most popular strategies in England is the 5/1 format: this format shows the ratio of net winnings to the amount wagered. In other words, for every £1 you have bet, you will have also net winnings (minus the amount of the bet) of £5.

European odds

Regarding European odds, it is true that they are not as popular as in the UK, but it should also be noted that this business is gradually gaining ground in countries such as France and Spain. Also, it could be said that the most used European strategy in the world of betting is the fact of calculating the size of your bet by the coefficient, in this way, you will get the amount that the bookmaker will have to pay in the case of winning the bet.

American odds

Finally, the American Odds, perhaps the most complicated to understand, as it is best to watch them live at American bookmakers. In broad terms, the main difference in the American odds is the presence of a “z” or “-” sign in front of the digital indicators. This sign helps to determine which team is the favourite and which is not. For example, if you want to bet an amount of +110 on which it is understood that you intend to make a minimum profit of $110, you will have to bet $100. You could say that the equivalent of this betting system in Europe is known as 2.1.

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