Odds (decimal)
Decimal odds show your total return for every R1 staked, including the stake itself: a R100 bet at 2.50 returns R250, which is R150 profit. They are the standard format at South African bookmakers.
By Mark SmithChecked On this page 4
Reading decimal odds
The number is the multiplier on your stake. The lower the odds, the more likely the bookmaker thinks the outcome is:
| Odds | Return on R100 | Implied chance |
|---|---|---|
| 1.25 | R125 | 80% |
| 2.00 | R200 | 50% |
| 3.50 | R350 | 29% |
| 10.00 | R1,000 | 10% |
Odds in accumulators
For an accumulator, multiply the odds of each leg. Three legs at 1.80, 2.00 and 1.50 give 1.80 x 2.00 x 1.50 = 5.40, so R50 returns R270 if all three win. The catch is that the chance of winning shrinks just as fast.
The bookmaker’s margin
Add up the implied chances of every outcome in a market and you’ll get more than 100%: a soccer match might show 47% + 28% + 31% = 106%. The extra 6% is the bookmaker’s margin, which is why betting is not a reliable way to make money.
Use our odds converter to switch between decimal, fractional and American odds, and our bet calculator to work out returns on multis. Many bonuses also set minimum odds in decimal format.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate winnings from decimal odds?
Multiply your stake by the odds. R50 at 3.20 returns R160, made up of your R50 stake and R110 profit.
What do decimal odds say about probability?
Divide 1 by the odds to get the implied probability. Odds of 2.00 imply 50%, and odds of 4.00 imply 25%. The bookmaker's margin means the implied chances of all outcomes add up to more than 100%.
How do I convert fractional odds to decimal?
Divide the first number by the second and add 1. So 5/2 becomes 2.5 + 1 = 3.50. Our odds converter does it for you.
Related terms
Mark has been writing about online gaming since 2007, covering everything from sportsbooks to casino and slot reviews, offering insights for players of all levels.