Moneyline (also known as American Odds, or US Moneyline)
Moneyline odds are favoured by American bookmakers.
The figure quoted can be positive or negative, and depends on the probability to win the bet.
Positive Figures: UNDER 50% probability of winning the bet
A positive moneyline quotes the money won from a 100 unit stake. In other words, a positive moneyline shows the potential win from a 100 unit wager. Talking of formulas, if the probability of winning the bet is less than 50%, then the net return is multiplied by 100.
The 6/5 fractional odds (1.2 HK odds, 2.2 decimal odds) discussed above translate into +120 moneyline. This means the net return paid out to the bettor for a 100 unit stake.
So if the odds are +120 and the stake is $100 then the total return is $220 ($120 winnings plus the original $100 stake).
Negative Figures: OVER 50% probability of winning the bet
A negative moneyline shows the stake amount needed to win 100 units. In other words, a negative moneyline shows the potential loss. Again, from the formula perspective, if the probability of winning the bet is higher than 50%, then minus 100 is divided by the net return.
Fractional odds of 1/4 (0.25 HK odds, 1.25 decimal odds) translate into -400 moneyline. These odds stand for an implied probability of 80% to win the bet, and a net return of 25%. The bettor needs to wager (stake) 400 units in order to win 100.
So if the odds are -400 and the intended profit is $100 then the stake needed is $400 for a total return of $500 ($100 winnings plus the original $400 stake).
Probability exactly 50%
If the probability to win is exactly 50%, then moneyline odds are either quoted as +100 or -100. Some bookmakers display the negative symbol while others do not. There is no rule.
Indonesian Odds (also known as IN Odds)
Indonesian Odds are very similar to American odds.
Image: Teo Boon Keng Alvin (Shutterstock)They follow the same formulas and the only difference is that they show the potential win from a 1 unit stake (not 100), or the stake amount needed to win 1 unit.
To convert American moneyline odds into Indonesian style odds, the US Moneyline odds are just divided by 100.
Positive Figures: UNDER 50% probability of winning the bet
The 6/5 fractional odds (1.2 HK odds, 2.2 decimal odds, +120 US moneyline) now translate into +1.20 Indonesian odds. This is the net return paid out to the bettor for a 100 unit stake.
If the odds are +1.20 and you stake $1.00, then the total return is $2.20 ($1.20 winnings plus the original $1.00 stake).
Negative Figures: OVER 50% probability of winning the bet
Fractional odds of 1/4 (0.25 HK odds, 1.25 decimal odds, -400 US moneyline) translate into -4.00 Indonesian odds. These odds still stand for an implied probability of 80% to win the bet with a 25% net return, and the bettor needs to wager (stake) 4.00 units in order to win 1.00.
So if the odds are -4.00 and the intended profit is $1.00 then the stake needed is $4.00 for a total return of $5.00 ($1.00 winnings plus the original $4.00 stake).
Probability exactly 50%
If the probability to win is exactly 50%, using Indonesian style odds, even money would be quoted as 1.00.
Malay Odds (also known as Malaysian Odds, or MA Odds)
Malay odds are also ‘moneyline’ odds, and change their formula at 50% probability and/or 100% net return; the same as US moneyline odds and Indonesian odds.
However, Malay odds are “inverted” ‘moneyline’ odds compared to the US moneyline and Indonesian odds approach.
Whilst US and Indonesian bookmakers display positive figures for UNDER 50% probability bets and negative figures for OVER 50% probability bets, Malay odds are exactly the opposite.
Malay odds show the potential win (positive figure) from a 1 unit stake for probabilities of over 50% to win the bet, and the potential losses faced (stakes needed) to win 1 unit for probabilities under 50% to win the bet.
Positive Figures: OVER 50% probability of winning the bet
A positive Malay odds moneyline quotes the money won from a 1 unit stake. In other words, a positive moneyline shows the potential win from a 1 unit wager. For the sake of formulas, if the probability of winning the bet is over than 50%, then the Malay odds display the net return in decimal notation.
Here is an example of the inversion I have mentioned: –
Fractional odds of 1/4 (0.25 HK odds, and 1.25 decimal odds) translate into -400 US moneyline odds and -4.00 Indonesian odds, but the Malay odds for this bet would be 0.25. All of these odds stand for an implied probability of 80% to win the bet, or 25% net return. If the bettor wagers (stakes) 1 unit he will win 0.25 units.
If you look closely you will notice that for over 50% probabilities the Malay odds are the same as the UK and HK odds – all of them mean 0.25.
So if the Malay odds are 0.25 and you wager $400, then the total return is $500 ($100 winnings plus the original $400 stake).
Negative Figures: UNDER 50% probability of winning the bet
A negative Malay odds moneyline shows the stake amount needed to win 1 unit. In other words, a negative figure shows the potential loss. Again, from the formula perspective, if the probability of winning the bet is less than 50%, then minus 1 is divided by the net return.
Again, here’s an example of the inversion: –
6/5 fractional odds (1.2 HK odds, 2.2 decimal odds) discussed above translate into +120 US moneyline, or 1.2 Indonesian odds. Expressed in Malay odds format it’s -0.83. This means the money the bettor needs to wager (stake) in order to win 1.00.
In this example, if the odds are -0.83 then it means you must wager $0.83 to win $1.00.
Using the Indonesian odds example (IN odds +1.20), from a stake of $1.00 the total return is $2.20 ($1.20 winnings plus the original $1.00 stake).
Transferring this information into Malay odds… In order to calculate the necessary stake money, you need to multiply your intended winnings ($1.20) with the positive integer of the Malay odds (0.83): intended winnings $1.20 times 0.83 (positive integer of -0.83) = $1.00 (= stake/wager to win $1.20).
To be honest, I find the Malay odds the most confusing and disturbing of all the odds types available in the market. But, there must be enough people who understand and like them, especially in Malaysia! 🙂
Helped me with odds /fixed
Betting odds are expressed in three popular formats: fractional (British), decimal (European) and American (moneyline). These formats hold no difference in terms of final payoffs. Fractional odds are the ratio of the amount (profit) won to the stake; Decimal odds represent the amount one wins for every $1 wagered; and American odds, depending on the negative or positive sign, either indicate the amount one needs to wager to win $100 or the amount one would win for every $100 staked.
So, if you are planning to enter the betting or the gambling world, it is important to understand and interpret these types of odds well.