Infographic
Classroom
A favorite is the fighter or team expected to win. Because the favorite has the better chance on paper, the payout is smaller. You usually have to risk more money to win the same amount you could win by betting less on an underdog.
$10
Your bet
+$$
If the favorite wins
+$$$$
If the underdog wins
01
Minus money
What the minus number means.
Minus money is the − minus sign next to a name or team, like −150. That's the favorite. At −150, you bet/risk $150 to win/make $100 profit. Since favorites are expected to win, they cost more to bet and pay less when they win.
02
Plus money
What the plus number means.
Plus money is the + plus sign next to a name or team, like +150. That is the underdog. At +150, you bet/risk $100 to win/make $150 profit. Underdogs are expected to lose, so they cost less to bet and pay more when they win.
03
The moneyline
One fight. You pick who wins.
The moneyline is a bet on who wins. No score or point spread to figure out. The minus number is the favorite and pays less. The plus number is the underdog and pays more. You simply choose who you think will win.
Play money
Type a bet. Drag the line. Watch the favorite pay less and the underdog pay more. Tap a ticket to see a loss. Practice money only.
Favorite -150 · Underdog +150
Next lesson
A parlay is more than one pick on the same ticket. Every pick has to win. If one pick loses, the whole ticket pays $0. Tap the buttons. Watch the payout move.
Play with a ticket
3 picks · $10 bet
Fight 1
Favorite · -150
Fight 2
Favorite · -150
Fight 3
Favorite · -150
If every pick wins
$46
3 favorites · 0 underdogs
If one pick loses
$0
The other wins do not count.
More picks can pay more. They also need more things to go right. This ticket uses the same classroom numbers: -150 on a favorite, +150 on an underdog. Real apps change those numbers every fight.
Bookmark this
Type the number you’re looking at. The other two fill in.
DraftKings, FanDuel
Decimal 12x
Polymarket %
A 4.0x is not free money. The market is saying 1 in 4 (25%).
The six moves
1 Implied odds
Every price is a percent
A price shows the sportsbook’s estimated chance. If it works out to 1 in 4, that side is priced at 25%. You can disagree. If you think it wins more often, the bet may have value. If you just like the story, you are donating.
2 Long shots
A big payout is not free money
A long shot pays a lot because it is expected to lose more often. That is the trade. A huge payout does not make it a good bet. Bet small. Be patient. If you need that ticket to hit tonight, it is the wrong ticket.
3 The vig
The house takes a cut
Sportsbooks are not charities. Their edge is built into the odds. That means the prices are tilted slightly in their favor. Convert the odds back into a simple chance, then decide if the bet still looks good after the house gets its cut.
4 Underdog value
When the underdog is a smart bet
An underdog is only interesting if you think it wins more often than the price says. Favorites can get overbet because they feel safer. Long shots can get overbet because they feel exciting. The gap between those feelings is where a price can be wrong.
5 Bankroll
Never bet the rent
Only bet money you can lose and still sleep. Use a small piece of a separate pile, not the bills. If one loss would change your week, the bet is too big — even if you love the pick. Good bets still lose, so protect the bankroll first.
6 DYOR
This is a classroom, not a tip sheet
$UNDERDOG is for education and entertainment. Nothing here is financial advice, a guaranteed pick, or a promise of profit. Betting involves risk, and you can lose the entire stake. Odds and outcomes can change. Do your own research.
