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How American Odds Work
Everything you need to know about reading odds at US sportsbooks.
The Basics
American odds are expressed as a positive or negative number. They tell you two things: which side is favored, and how much you win (or need to risk) per $100.
+150
Underdog / Plus money
Risk $100, win $150. Total return: $250.
-110
Favorite / Minus money
Risk $110, win $100. Total return: $210.
Implied Probability
Every set of odds implies a probability. This is the break-even win rate you need for the bet to be profitable at those odds.
The Vig (Juice)
When a sportsbook offers -110 on both sides of a bet, they're taking a cut regardless of the outcome. This cut is called the vig or juice.
Both sides at -110 → implied probabilities add up to 104.8%(not 100%). That extra 4.8% is the book's edge. To overcome vig at -110, you need to win more than 52.4% of the time.
Line Shopping
Different sportsbooks post different lines. Getting -108 instead of -115 on the same pick meaningfully improves your long-term ROI. Always compare DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars, and BetMGM before placing a bet. SandlotSharp shows the best available odds when we have data.