Odds: A price that shows how much a successful bet will return. Odds reflect both the perceived probability of an outcome and the bookmaker’s margin.

Stake: The money you place on a selection.

Return: Stake multiplied by the odds (decimal) — includes original stake.

Implied probability: The chance of an outcome derived from the odds.

Decimal: Widely used in Europe and Australia. Return = stake × decimal odds. Example: 2.50 with $10 stake returns $25 ($15 profit).

Fractional: Common in the UK. Expressed as A/B. Example: 3/1 on $10 returns $40 (stake + $30 profit).

American (moneyline): Positive (e.g., +150) shows profit on $100 stake; negative (e.g., -200) shows stake needed to win $100.

Decimal implied probability = 1 / decimal odds. Example: odds 4.00 → 1/4.00 = 0.25 → 25%.

Bookmakers add a margin (overround), so the sum of implied probabilities across all mutually exclusive outcomes usually exceeds 100%.

Match Result (1X2): Three-way market (home win, draw, away win). If you back home at decimal 2.20 with $20, return on win = $44.

Asian Handicap: Removes the draw by giving a goal handicap. Example: Team A -0.5 means Team A must win by at least one goal. For quarter handicaps (-0.25, -0.75), the stake is split between two adjacent lines. For -0.25 (split -0 and -0.5): if the match draws, the -0 half is a push (stake returned) and the -0.5 half loses.

Over/Under (Total Goals): You bet on whether total goals exceed or stay below a threshold. Example: Over 2.5 at 1.80 means at least 3 goals are needed to win.

Both Teams to Score (BTTS): Win if both teams score; 1–1, 2–1 count as wins, 1–0 is a loss.

Correct Score: Predict the exact final score. These markets have higher odds and higher variance.

90 minutes vs. extra time/penalties: Most match markets and goal markets are settled on the full-time result after 90 minutes plus stoppage time, excluding extra time and penalty shootouts, unless the market explicitly includes extra time or penalties.

Stoppage time and injury time: Goals scored during added time are usually counted as part of the 90-minute result.

Own goals: Own goals count toward total goals and match score for most markets.

Abandoned, postponed or voided matches: Many operators void bets if a match is abandoned and not completed within a specified time frame, but policies differ. Some will settle based on the final score if the match is completed later; others require full completion on the same day. Always check the bookmaker’s abandonment rule.

Player-specific markets (e.g., first goalscorer): Settlement commonly relies on the official scorer. If a match is abandoned before the relevant event, bets may be voided depending on the operator.

Forfeits and awarded results: Operators may follow the official governing body result or apply their own rulebook; this can affect whether markets are paid or voided.

Q: What format should I use? Use decimal if you want straightforward return calculations; choose the format you understand best.

Q: Do extra-time goals count? Only if the market specifically includes extra time. Standard “90 minutes” markets exclude extra time and penalties.

Q: What happens if a match is abandoned? It depends on the bookmaker’s rules—bets are often voided unless the match is completed within a defined timeframe or the operator specifies otherwise.

Q: How is a bookmaker margin calculated? Sum the implied probabilities of all mutually exclusive outcomes and subtract 100%; the excess is the margin.