Updated: September 25, 2025
Many people bet on a wide range of sporting events. This article explains how sports betting works, including types of bets and Vegas odds.
Vegas odds are a standard way of expressing the probability of an outcome in sports betting. They were created by bookmakers in Las Vegas to attract more bettors and ensure consistency across different sportsbooks. These odds help compare the likelihood of each team's victory and guide bettors on the expected payout.
Betting Vegas Odds Style
The simplest type of a wager is betting on which team would win, regardless of the score. Most sports fans understand that in a game, one team is more favored to win because most of the time, teams are not evenly matched. This is why there are betting odds, often called moneyline or American odds in the US.
Positive Moneyline Odds
The number with a ‘+’ sign in front is the amount that the bettor will win from a bet of $100. For instance, a +150 money line with a $100 bet will have a profit of $150 (total of $250 payout). A $10 wager will result in a profit of $15 (total of $25 payout).
Negative Moneyline Odds
The number with a ‘–‘ sign in front is the amount to bet to win a profit of $100. For instance, a -210 money line needs a bet of $210 to win $100 more (total of $310 payout). If the Vegas odds say -210, a bet of $21 will have a profit of $10.
Common Types of Bets
The negative side on betting on which team would win is betting a lot of money for a small profit. If the best team is playing against the worst team in the league, you may need to bet $500 just to win $100. Betting on the underdog is another challenge because most sports fans do not bet on teams that have a slim chance of winning. Check out these other types of bets that you could use:
Point Spread Betting
If the lines are: Team A +7 vs. Team B -7, you can bet on either team. In this case, Team A is +7 points underdog. If you bet on them, their final score would have additional 7 points to decide on the winner for betting purposes. Team B is favored by -7, so if you bet on them, their final score would have a deduction of 7 points.
Bookmakers set the point spread to balance the number of bets placed on each team. They adjust these spreads if there is heavy betting on one side, aiming to even out the action. This is done to minimize the bookmaker's risk and ensure they can pay out winnings while still making a profit.
Total Betting (Over/Under)
This is offered by Vegas sportsbooks, online betting websites, and local bookies. In this type of bet, the bookmaker predicts the total points that would be scored in a game. Sports bettors would bet whether the total points of both teams would go over or under the posted total.
These types of bets are closer to 50/50 odds and are wagered on moneyline or American odds of -110, unless otherwise stated.
Even if the favorite, underdog, over, or under has a 50% chance of winning, you have to be $1.10 for every $1 profit.
This is because regardless of Vegas odds on local bookies, Las Vegas sportsbooks, or online betting websites, the bookmakers have to make a profit.
They will allow you to do a research and choose which side you are betting on, but they charge a markup for this privilege.
Role of Bookmakers and Odds Compilers
Bookmakers and odds compilers play a key role in sports betting. They set and adjust odds based on statistical analysis, team performance, and market trends. By monitoring betting activity, these professionals ensure that the sportsbooks remain profitable while offering fair and competitive odds to bettors. This careful balance is important for the long-term success of both the sportsbooks and the bettors engaged with them.
