The plus and minus in betting refer to American betting odds or the point spread. Understanding what these symbols mean makes it easy to read sports betting odds and place meaningful and lucrative bets.
This guide takes you through everything you need to know about what these symbols mean, how to read American betting odds and point spreads, and how to sign up with a sportsbook that offers American betting odds. So, let’s get started.
Plus and Minus in Betting – How Do Betting Odds Work?
One of the most important things for sports bettors to know, especially those new to betting, is how to read betting odds. Bettors who understand betting odds have a far greater chance of placing winning bets than those flying by the seat of their pants. An essential part of reading American betting odds is knowing what the plus and minus placed next to these odds mean.
These two symbols give meaning to the odds and refer to the amount a bettor must put down when backing a team in order to win. However, these work differently depending on whether the team or athlete is the favorite or the underdog.
Handy Tip:
Betting odds come in several formats, with the most popular being American odds, Decimal odds, and Fractional odds. In most cases, a sportsbook allows a bettor to select way in which their odds are displayed.
| American Odds | Decimal Odds | Fractional Odds |
| +200 | 3.00 | 2/1 |
What Does – Mean in Betting?
When sports betting, there is inevitably a favorite and an underdog. The favorite refers to the team or athlete the sportsbook predicts is most likely to win.
When reading betting odds, the favorite will always have the minus sign (-) in front of their odds. However, in some cases, a bettor may find that both teams have a minus preceding their odds, and this means that the sportsbook doesn’t have a definitive favorite, and the game is a toss-up, where either team could win.
So, what does this symbol mean, other than that the team is the favorite? Since the minus is listed before a number, it says something about those odds. In this case, the minus and the number together represent how much a bettor must put down to win $100 if that team wins. While you don’t need to wager that amount, it offers a starting point for bettors to work out how much they will win back on the amount they do bet.
For instance, if we look at the example below where the Arizona Diamondbacks are set to face-off against the Miami Marlins in an MLB match. The Miami Marlins have odds of -158, making this team the favorite to win. Here, bettors must put down $158 to win back $100 if the Marlins win.
What Does Mean in Betting?
While the favorites in a game talk about the team or athlete pitted to win, the underdog refers to the team or player least likely to win the match (you can learn more about this in our underdog betting guide). Since the favorite gets the minus (-) symbol, the underdog is referenced by the plus (+) sign.
However, this symbol means more than highlighting which team is the underdog. Because the plus sign precedes a number, together, these odds show how much a bettor will win if they wager a $100 bet on the underdog. Again this is a baseline figure, and bettors can wager their own amounts.
If we consider our example below, in this MLB game, the Philadelphia Phillies go head-to-head with the Cincinnati Reds. Since the Reds have odds of +134, they are the underdogs. Here, if bettors wager a $100 bet on this team and they win, the bettor will make a profit of $134.
Handy Tip:
When reading odds for the underdog, it is also essential to note that the higher the number next to the plus (+) sign, the greater the winnings, but this also means the team or player has even less chance of winning.
Point Spreads – The Other Plus Minus Betting Lines
Now that we know how to read American betting odds, let’s look at point spreads, which are a little more complex and also use the plus and minus symbols.
The point spread is also referred to as handicap betting. Here, the sportsbook has an instance on its hands where there is a strong favorite set to face a relatively weak opponent. This means that the odds are very much in favor of one team, which leads to minimal and unexciting odds.
To remedy this, the sportsbook applies a handicap or points to the two teams, adding points to the underdog and removing them from the favorite to level the playing field.
In addition to now showing the odds for each team, the sportsbook also highlights the points added or removed from a squad or athlete. So, let’s take a closer look:
How to Read a Point Spread
Since a point spread shows both the handicap and the odds, let’s see what this looks like. In the example below, we see a baseball game that will take place between the Cincinnati Reds and the Philadelphia Phillies.
Now, instead of just the odds, we see the point spread too. The point spread is the number at the top (+/- 1.5), and the odds are the figures below this. So, here the Cincinnati Reds are the favorite to win the point spread, with odds of +1.5 -125.
Handy Tip:
The point spread or handicap in baseball wagering is called the Runline.
What Does Minus 1.5 Mean in Plus Minus Betting?
When it comes to point spreads, the plus and minus symbols have meanings different than those used for showing American betting odds. Instead of showing how much a bettor can win, they indicate how a team should perform.
If we look at the example above, the Philadelphia Phillies have odds of -1.5 +105. This means that in the moneyline, the Phillies are the favorites, and so the bookie has removed points from the team, leaving them with a -1.5 handicap.
So, what does the minus (-) symbol before the points mean? Well, the minus (-) on a handicap means that the team must win by more than the number. So here, the Phillies must win by two points or more for bettors backing them to win their stake.
What Does 1.5 Mean in Betting?
The plus symbol (+) in points spread betting also means something different than when used in betting odds. Again, it refers to the team or athlete’s performance.
While the minus refers to how much the team must win by, the plus (+) indicates that a team must either win or lose by no less than the number given. For instance, in our example, the Cincinnati Reds have odds of +1.5 -125. Here, the team must either win or lose by exactly one point (no more) for a bettor to win their stake if they backed this team.
Handy Tip:
In sports like basketball, a 1.5 point spread shows that the sportsbook believes both teams have a similar chance of winning as the spread is close. In contrast, odds where the spread is +/-8 show there is a more significant margin between the two. Additionally, +1.5 is the standard runline in MLB wagering.
Which Sports Can I Bet On Using Plus Minus Betting?
The best online sportsbooks offer bettors a broad selection of sports to wager on, and these all come with odds that help bettors to see what the chances are for each team to win and how much they can win off a bet. While wagering on horses or parimutuel betting is slightly different, most sports offer odds like those discussed in this guide. Below, we look at some of the most popular sports bettors can find American odds for.
Basketball
Basketball matches and NBA games all use plus minus betting odds to display moneyline bets. Additionally, basketball games are one of the most popular sports for point spread betting, making it a great choice for bettors to find one of the best NBA betting sites to ensure they get the most competitive odds.
Football
Bettors wagering on the NFL and the Superbowl will discover these matches also offer American odds and point spreads. Finding the best football betting sites is essential if you want the best odds to ensure your profits are greater.
Hockey Plus Minus Betting
The best NHL betting sites offer hockey lines using American odds. Additionally, these games come with point spreads, but in the case of ice hockey, these are called the “puck line,” not “spreads.”
Baseball
Baseball fans can wager moneylines on their favorite teams using plus minus betting odds and by following handicap betting lines. However, it is essential to note that the spread bet at the best MLB betting sites is called the “runline.”
UFC
While all the sports we have mentioned so far are team sports, we wanted to show you that individual sports also use the plus and minus in betting. For instance, if you visit the best UFC betting sites, the moneylines for each fighter uses American odds.
How to Sign Up With a Sportsbook With Plus Minus Betting
To take advantage of plus minus betting, bettors must sign up with a sportsbook, create a profile, and deposit funds first. Luckily, this is quick and easy to do and we show you how using our short guide that follows. Here, we use BetOnline as an example, but the process is much the same for most sportsbooks, so you can follow these steps for BetOnline alternatives too.
Step One – Register with BetOnline
Search for and then open the BetOnline website and click the green “Join” button. Next, add your details on the registration form that opens, and choose a username and password. Then, click “Create Account.”
Step Two – Get Verified
Once you have registered your account, BetOnline will email you a verification link which you must click to activate your new profile. After you’ve done this, use your new username and password to sign back into BetOnline and access your account.
Step Three – Make Your First Deposit
Next, you’ll need to fund your account so that you can place bets. So, click the blue “Banking” button on the homepage. Then, choose your payment method from the dropdown menu, and add the amount you wish to deposit. Next, type your BetOnline promo code “BOL1000” in the promo code box provided to claim your sign-up bonus. Finally, click “Deposit Now” and follow the prompts to finalize your payment.
Step Four – Choose Your Sport
Click on the “Sports” tab on the BetOnline homepage. Then, select the sport you want to place your plus-minus wagers on, for example, basketball. Next, from the options available for this sport, select the league and match you want to put your money on.
Step Five – Place Your Wager
Once you have selected the game, click on the appropriate line to populate your bet slip with the relevant details. Next, type in the amount you want to put down on your bet slip. Then, click “place bet,” and you’re done!
Plus Minus Betting Tips
While getting used to reading sports betting odds may take time, there are a few tips you can use to help you along the way. Below, we offer our top tips for + and – sports betting.
Tip One: Remember, Odds Can Change
When reading odds for a particular match, keep in mind that these odds can change quickly depending on the action on the line or other circumstances, and as a result, they change often. The top regulated and offshore sports betting sites adjust their odds in real-time, so keep an eye on them in case the signs flip or placing a hedge or arbitrage bet makes sense.
Tip Two: Seek Value in the Underdogs
If you choose to wager according to favorites and underdogs, take the time to look for value in the underdogs. In some instances, it makes sense to wager on the underdog as these bets typically bring in greater profits. Sometimes, the public will heavily back the home team, placing them as the favorite according to the action. However, the opposing team may be stronger and end up winning despite being the underdog.
Tip Three: Not All Favorites Are Equal
While a team or athlete may have a minus (-) next to their name, it doesn’t mean they are the favorite by streaks. While a sportsbook will generally designate a favorite in a matchup, sometimes both teams have equal chances of winning and will, in this case, both have a minus (-) next to their names.
When this happens, it is important to look closely at the number next to the symbol. The team with the number further from 100 is the favorite. For example if Team A is -105 and Team B is -110, then Team B is the favorite. However, as with all other betting, wagering on the “underdog” here is still more lucrative than backing the favorite.
Tip Four: Shop Around
Sportsbooks will determine their own odds based on recent happenings. While most of these are similar, finding odds that are slightly better can make a huge difference if you win on a large wager. As a result, it is best to shop around and look at the odds various sportsbooks provide in order to find the most competitive odds that offer the best payouts.
