What do the + and – mean in sports betting?

When you're new to sports betting, encountering symbols like "+" and "-" can be confusing. While they might seem complicated at first, these mathematical indicators actually help bettors make more informed decisions about their wagers.

The minus (-) sign and plus (+) sign serve distinct purposes that affect both how much money you can win and what needs to happen in the game for your bet to succeed. Whether you're betting on football, basketball, or any other sport, understanding these symbols is fundamental to interpreting betting lines and calculating potential payouts.

The minus (-) sign: Spread

In sports betting, the minus (-) sign serves two important purposes. First, it identifies the favorite team in a match - the one expected to win. Second, it shows how many points that team needs to win by for a bet to be successful.

Let's break this down with a clear example. If you see Lakers -5.5 vs Warriors, this means:

• The Lakers are the favorites to win
• They must win by at least 6 points for you to win your bet
• If they win by 5 points or less, or lose the game, you lose your bet

Here's why the spread matters in different scenarios:

Key points about the minus spread:

• The larger the negative number, the more points the favorite needs to win by
• Half points (like -5.5) are used to prevent ties
• The spread helps level the playing field when betting on mismatched teams

Today, understanding spreads has become even more accessible with new online casinos offering comprehensive betting options. These platforms make it easy to practice spread betting while providing clear explanations of odds and potential payouts, which is particularly helpful for beginners learning to interpret the minus sign in sports betting.

The plus (+) sign: Odds

The plus (+) sign in sports betting indicates the underdog team and shows potential winnings on a $100 bet. This tells you both which team is expected to lose and how much you could win if they pull off an upset.

Let's use a clear example from football. If you see Dolphins +240 vs Bills -300, this means:

• The Dolphins are the underdogs
• A $100 bet on the Dolphins would win you $240 if they win
• The larger the plus number, the bigger the potential payout

Here's a comparison table to help understand different odds scenarios:

The plus sign can also appear in point spreads. For example: Dolphins +7.5 means:

• The Dolphins can lose by 7 points or less, or win outright
• If they lose by 8 or more points, you lose your bet

Important things to remember about plus odds:

• Higher plus numbers mean bigger payouts but lower chances of winning
• You always get your original bet back on top of your winnings
• Plus odds are written as whole numbers (never decimals)

Why understanding + and – is essential in sports betting?

These symbols are important for making informed betting decisions and managing your money effectively. These signs are the foundation of sports betting math and strategy, appearing in every type of bet you'll encounter.

Key reasons why understanding these symbols matters:

• Helps quickly calculate potential profits and losses
• Enables recognition of good value bets
• Improves bankroll management decisions
• Prevents costly betting mistakes

Here's how different betting scenarios compare:

This knowledge helps you assess whether the potential reward is worth the risk in any betting situation. Remember: These symbols appear in every sportsbook and betting platform, making them essential to understand regardless of which sport you're betting on.