What do minus (-) odds mean?

Written by Editorial Team | Last Updated: August 2026

In the American sports betting system, a minus sign attached to odds indicates the expected favorite in a matchup, showing the exact amount of capital you must risk to secure a clean profit of one hundred dollars. For example, if a team is priced at minus-200, you must risk two hundred dollars to earn a net profit of one hundred dollars, resulting in a total payout of three hundred dollars if your bet wins. This pricing reflects an outcome with a high implied probability of occurring according to oddsmakers, meaning sportsbooks require larger financial risks relative to the small reward offered to anyone backing the favored side.

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