Walking into a sportsbook or opening a betting app for the first time can feel like staring at a foreign language. Between the flashing numbers and the rapid shifts in lines, the most confusing element for newcomers is usually the mathematical symbols attached to every team. Understanding What do + and – mean in sports betting is the essential first step toward making informed decisions. These symbols aren’t just mathematical shorthand; they are the keys to identifying who the favorite is, who the underdog is, and exactly how much profit you stand to make on a winning ticket.
The Negative Symbol (-): Identifying the Favorite
In the world of sports betting, the minus sign is synonymous with the “favorite.” When you see a minus sign next to a team’s name, the oddsmakers have determined that this team is more likely to win the matchup. Because there is a higher probability of this outcome, the sportsbook requires you to risk more money to earn a smaller profit.
For example, if a team is listed at -150, the number tells you how much you need to bet to win $100. In this case, you would need to wager $150 to see a $100 profit (plus your original $150 back). This “tax” on the favorite ensures that the sportsbook remains balanced. The higher the negative number (e.g., -300 vs -110), the heavier the favorite and the more expensive it becomes to back them.
The Positive Symbol (+): Spotting the Underdog
On the other side of the ledger is the plus sign, which represents the “underdog.” This symbol indicates a team that is statistically less likely to win. To entice bettors to take a risk on the underdog, sportsbooks offer a higher payout relative to the amount wagered.
When looking at What do + and – mean in sports betting, the plus sign is much easier to calculate. The number following the plus sign represents the profit you would make on a $100 bet. If a team is +150, a successful $100 wager would return $150 in profit, plus your initial $100 stake. The larger the positive number, the bigger the “longshot” the team is considered to be.
The Role of the Point Spread
While the plus and minus are used for Moneyline bets (who wins the game outright), they serve a different purpose in “Point Spread” betting. In this context, the symbols indicate the handicap given to each team to level the playing field.
- A -7 Spread: The favorite must win by more than 7 points for your bet to win.
- A +7 Spread: The underdog can lose by up to 6 points, or win the game outright, and your bet still wins.
Understanding these margins is vital because it changes the objective from simply picking a winner to predicting the margin of victory. According to financial experts at Forbes, the rapid growth of legalized sports betting has turned these simple symbols into a massive part of the global sports economy, as fans look for more ways to engage with their favorite teams beyond just watching the score.
Why Do Odds Shift?
It is important to remember that the + and – values you see on Monday might not be the same ones you see on Sunday. Sportsbooks adjust these numbers based on several factors:
- Public Money: If everyone is betting on the favorite, the bookie will increase the “cost” (the minus number) to encourage betting on the other side.
- Injuries: A star quarterback being sidelined can instantly turn a -7 favorite into a +2 underdog.
- Weather: In certain sports, environmental factors can shrink the gap between two teams, leading to “tighter” odds.
Professional bettors track these movements meticulously. They aren’t just looking for who will win; they are looking for “value”—situations where the + or – doesn’t accurately reflect the true probability of the outcome.
Calculating Your Risk and Reward
You don’t have to bet exactly $100 to use these odds. The numbers are simply ratios. If a team is -200, it means you are betting $2 for every $1 of profit you want to make. If they are +200, you are earning $2 for every $1 you risk.
Modern betting apps often calculate the potential payout for you automatically, but knowing the math yourself prevents costly mistakes. It allows you to quickly scan a betting board and identify which games offer a return that justifies the risk to your bankroll.
Knowledge is Your Greatest Edge
Mastering the basics of sports betting symbols is about more than just reading a screen; it’s about gaining confidence in your strategy. Once you move past the confusion of the plus and minus signs, you can focus on the real work: analyzing matchups, studying statistics, and finding the edge that leads to long-term profitability.
Whether you are backing a heavy favorite or hunting for a massive underdog payout, understanding the language of the sportsbook is the first step toward betting like a pro. Ready to put your knowledge to the test? Start by looking for value where others only see symbols.
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