Odd Explained

ODDS EXPLAINED 

Odds can be quite confusing and put a lot of people off betting. Some bookies quote odds in 'decimal', some in 'fractional', some in both. It's quite simple once you look at it, so here's how it all works. Also check out our betting calculators to calculate how much you could potentially win from different types of bet. Learn more about odds and strategies in our ever expanding strategies page.
Fractional odds
These are the traditional odds you see in the window on the high street such as 10/1 or 6/4. Simply treat them like fractions. If you divide the first number by the second, you'll get a multiplier. For example, 10/1 means that whatever you stake on this bet you'll get 10 times back if you win. So, £1 on a 10/1 bet will give you £10 winnings. For £1 on 6/4 you just need to divide 6 by 4, giving you a multiplier of 1.5 - if you stake £1 on 6/4 you'll return winnings of £1.50. When you bet and win you also get your stake back on top of your winnings. So, £1 at 10/1 will give you £10 (winnings), plus your £1 stake back = £11 (total return), and £1 at 6/4 will give you £1.50 (winnings), plus your £1 stake back = £2.50 (total return). UK betting law used to place tax on stakes or winnings (you could choose when tax was applied - before the running of the bet (on the stake), or after (on your winnings)), but this has now been abolished, which makes odds and calculating returns a lot simpler.
Decimal odds
Bookies are increasingly quoting odds in a decimal format. It's supposed to make things simpler since you don't have to deal with fractions and calculating winnings using strange fractions like 10/11. Fractional odds reflect the multiplier that will give you your total return (winnings plus stake back). If a team are 10/1 in fractional odds, this would equal 11.00 in decimal odds. If you put £1 on an outcome at 11.00 you'll win £11 total returns. Decimal odds are simply a multiplier by which you can multiply your unit stake and calculate your total returns (winnings plus returned stake). It does make things a little simpler, however if you like to keep your winnings and total returns (stake plus winnings) calculations separate (for example if you want to compare winnings to stake as a percentage of stakes), then stick to fractional.
Most online bookies will allow you to set your odds preference once you've joined, so you need not worry if you prefer one or the other, you'll be able to choose.