Convert betting odds to win probability percentage and understand what the odds really mean
Implied probability = 1 / decimal odds × 100. For -150 American odds (1.67 decimal): 1/1.67 = 60%. For +200 American (3.0 decimal): 1/3.0 = 33.3%. The sportsbook prices these outcomes at 60% and 33.3% likelihood respectively. Note: Sum of implied probabilities typically exceeds 100% due to the bookmaker's margin (vig).
| American | Decimal | Implied Prob. |
|---|---|---|
| -500 | 1.20 | 83.3% |
| -200 | 1.50 | 66.7% |
| -150 | 1.67 | 60.0% |
| -110 | 1.91 | 52.4% |
| +100 | 2.00 | 50.0% |
| +150 | 2.50 | 40.0% |
| +200 | 3.00 | 33.3% |
| +300 | 4.00 | 25.0% |
| +500 | 6.00 | 16.7% |
Implied probability is the likelihood of an outcome as suggested by the betting odds. It represents what win rate you would need at those odds to break even over time. Bookmakers set odds based on their estimated probabilities plus a margin for profit.
The vig (vigorish or juice) is the bookmaker's margin built into the odds. In a fair market, both sides of a coin flip would be +100 (50% each). But sportsbooks typically offer -110 on both sides (52.4% each), totaling 104.8%. The 4.8% excess is the vig, meaning implied probabilities are inflated from true probabilities.
True probability is your honest assessment of likelihood based on analysis. Implied probability is what the odds suggest. If you believe a team has 60% chance to win but the implied probability is 55%, you have an edge (+EV). Calculate by removing vig: divide each implied probability by the total (e.g., 52.4/104.8 = 50% no-vig).
For negative odds: Implied % = |odds| / (|odds| + 100). For -200: 200/(200+100) = 66.7%. For positive odds: Implied % = 100 / (odds + 100). For +150: 100/(150+100) = 40%. These formulas help you quickly assess what the sportsbook thinks.