When it comes to esports betting, the key to success lies in understanding how odds work. The amount you’ll win on a bet depends on two crucial factors – how much you wager and the odds associated with the bet. Odds represent the likelihood of a specific outcome happening in a game, and they’re fundamental to calculating your potential returns. In this blog, we’ll break down how esports odds work, covering decimal odds, different types of bets, and other important betting strategies to help you make informed decisions.
Esports odds are numbers that reflect the probability of a particular outcome in a match. Understanding the odds is essential because they help bettors determine how much they can win on a bet. The odds can also give an idea of how likely a certain team is to win, based on the bookmaker’s calculation.
At Pinnacle, odds are typically offered in two formats: Decimal and American. Among these, Decimal odds are the easiest for bettors to calculate their potential winnings.
For example:
In this case, the bookmaker considers Newbee as more likely to win the match. This is reflected in the lower decimal odds of 1.600 compared to Team Liquid’s 2.500.
When you place a bet using Decimal odds, it’s easy to calculate how much you could win by multiplying the decimal odds by your stake.
Let’s say you’re betting on a Money Line Market (the most common type of bet). Here are the odds for a match between Newbee and Team Liquid:
If you bet €100 on Newbee, the potential return is calculated as:
1.600 x €100 = €160.00
This includes your original €100 stake, so your profit would be €60.00.
Similarly, if you bet €100 on Team Liquid, the potential return would be:
2.500 x €100 = €250.00
This includes the €100 stake, meaning you would earn €150 profit.
You can also calculate the probability of an outcome using the Decimal odds. To do this, divide 1 by the Decimal odds.
For example:
In this case, Newbee has a 62.5% chance of winning, while Team Liquid has a 40% chance. You’ll notice that the two probabilities add up to 102.5%, reflecting the bookmaker’s margin.
Apart from the Money Line bet, there are other types of bets that you can place in esports, such as Outrights, Handicaps, and Multiple Bets.
An Outright bet allows you to bet on the outcome of an entire event, such as predicting which team will win a tournament like The International in Dota 2. For instance, if you bet on the winner of the Overwatch League, you’re betting on the overall outcome of the tournament rather than individual matches.
Handicap bets are another popular way to place a bet. In this type of bet, the bookmaker gives the weaker team an advantage and the stronger team a disadvantage. For example, if Newbee is the stronger team, a handicap bet might give Team Liquid a +1 advantage.
These bets can offer more balanced odds and create exciting opportunities for bettors.
One way to boost your potential returns is by placing Multiple bets, also known as accumulators. A Multiple bet combines at least two individual bets from different events. To win, all bets must be successful, but the payout will be the combination of the odds of each component bet.
If you bet on two different esports events with odds of 1.600 and 2.500, the combined odds would be 4.000 (1.600 x 2.500). If you place a €50 bet, your potential return could be €200 if both bets win.
Understanding How Esports Odds Work is essential for any bettor looking to improve their chances of success. By knowing how to calculate your potential return and understanding the different types of bets, you’ll be better equipped to make smarter decisions. Whether you’re betting on Valorant, League of Legends, or Overwatch, it’s important to always keep odds in mind, as they not only reflect the probability of outcomes but also help you identify the best betting opportunities.
With this knowledge in hand, you can place more informed bets, increase your chances of winning, and enjoy the thrilling world of esports betting to the fullest!
What does +200 mean for odds?
Odds with a positive (+) symbol indicate the underdog. The number following the plus sign shows how much you can win if you wager $100. For instance, if a team has +200 odds, a $100 bet would earn you $200 in profit, should your bet be successful. It's important to note that sportsbooks may allow you to wager amounts other than $100.
Could someone explain what all these betting numbers mean?
Betting odds represent how much you stand to win based on your stake. They come in different formats, including decimal, fractional, and moneyline. Generally, the larger the odds, the higher the potential payout, though this also suggests a lower probability of the outcome occurring.
What do 7 to 2 odds mean?
7 to 2 odds signify that for every $2 you bet, you could win $7 if your wager is successful. The higher the odds, the greater the potential payout, but also the less likely it is to happen. It's a reflection of the risk versus reward in betting.
What does 4 to 1 odds mean?
4 to 1 odds mean that for every $1 you wager, you stand to win $4 in profit if your bet is successful. In other words, if you place a $10 bet, you would win $40 in profit, plus your original $10 stake, resulting in a total return of $50.