What Does Plus and Minus Mean in Betting

In betting, +150 means a C$100 stake could produce C$150 profit, while −150 means a bettor would need to stake C$150 to make C$100 profit. These signs are used in American betting odds, a format Canadian bettors may see alongside decimal odds. The result is always expressed in two parts: profit is the amount won beyond the stake, while total return includes the original stake. So a winning C$100 bet at +150 returns C$250 in total, not C$150.

✍ The Short Answer: Plus vs. Minus Odds

A plus sign shows the potential profit from a C$100 reference stake: +150 means C$100 could make C$150 profit. A minus sign shows the stake required to make C$100 profit: −150 means C$150 would be staked to make C$100 profit.

Plus odds usually indicate the less favoured outcome, while minus odds usually indicate the favoured outcome. The signs describe price, however; they do not guarantee which team will win.

💡 How Positive Betting Odds Work

Positive odds show the potential profit on a C$100 reference stake. The plus number tells you the profit, not the total amount returned.

At +100, a C$100 stake produces C$100 profit and a C$200 total return. At +150, the same C$100 stake produces C$150 profit and a C$250 total return. At +250, it produces C$250 profit and a C$350 total return.

The higher the positive number, the larger the potential profit for the same stake. It also usually means the market assigns the selection a lower implied probability, so higher positive betting odds are not automatically better.

💡 How Negative Betting Odds Work

Negative odds show how much you would need to stake to make C$100 profit. Use the number without the minus sign when reading the reference amount.

At −110, a C$110 stake produces C$100 profit and a C$210 total return. At −150, a C$150 stake produces C$100 profit and a C$250 total return. At −200, a C$200 stake produces C$100 profit and a C$300 total return.

The further a negative number is from zero, the more must be staked to make the C$100 reference profit. Negative betting odds therefore usually correspond to a higher implied probability, but they still do not guarantee a result.

🥅 A Simple NHL Example With + and − Odds

Consider this hypothetical NHL moneyline market: Toronto Maple Leafs −160 and Montreal Canadiens +140.

At Toronto −160, a C$160 stake would make C$100 profit and return C$260 in total if Toronto wins. At Montreal +140, a C$100 stake would make C$140 profit and return C$240 in total if Montreal wins.

Toronto is priced as the favourite and Montreal as the underdog in this example. That is a description of market price, not a prediction that Toronto must win.

🤓 Why Does One Team Have a Plus and the Other a Minus?

The signs reflect how the market prices each outcome relative to a C$100 reference amount. Minus odds often appear on favourites because the market prices them as more likely, while plus odds often appear on underdogs because they are priced as less likely.

Team strength, player availability, recent information, market conditions, and a bookmaker’s margin can all influence a price. The plus or minus sign is therefore part of the offered odds, not a label for a certain winner or loser.

🧐 How to Calculate Winnings From Plus Odds

For positive odds, use this formula:

Profit = Stake × (Positive Odds ÷ 100)

For a C$40 stake at +150, the calculation is C$40 × 1.50 = C$60 profit. Add the stake to find the return: C$40 + C$60 = C$100 total return.

A second example is C$25 at +200. The profit is C$25 × 2.00 = C$50, and the total return is C$75.

🧐 How to Calculate Winnings From Minus Odds

For negative odds, use this formula:

Profit = Stake × (100 ÷ Absolute Value of Negative Odds)

“Absolute value” simply means using the number without the minus sign. For a C$60 stake at −150, the calculation is C$60 × (100 ÷ 150) = C$40 profit.

Add the stake to calculate the return: C$60 + C$40 = C$100 total return. The minus sign is part of the odds format; it is not money that is deducted from the stake.

🆚 Profit vs. Total Return

Profit and return are different numbers. With C$100 at +150, the profit is C$150 and the total return is C$250. With C$150 at −150, the profit is C$100 and the total return is again C$250.

Return includes the original stake. Profit does not.

This distinction is important when a bet slip shows a potential payout. Check whether the screen labels the figure as profit, return, or payout before assuming what it represents.

🆚 Plus and Minus Odds vs. Decimal Odds

American and decimal odds are two ways to display the same price. For example, +150 and decimal 2.50 describe the same price; the market, selection, and possible outcome do not change.

Many platforms let users switch the odds display format. Decimal odds show the full return multiplier directly, while American odds use the C$100 reference convention.

👉 Does Minus Mean Favourite and Plus Mean Underdog?

Usually, but not always in every context. In a standard two-way American moneyline, minus odds normally indicate the favourite and plus odds normally indicate the underdog.

The symbols can appear in other contexts, so do not rely on the favourite/underdog shorthand alone. Read the market name, selection, and the full number before deciding what a plus or minus sign means.

😱 Don’t Confuse Minus Odds With a Point Spread

A minus sign can refer to two completely different things on a betting page. In Toronto −150, the minus is part of American odds and describes price. In Toronto −1.5, the minus is part of a spread or handicap line.

When the two appear together, as in Toronto −1.5 at −110, the first number is the line and the second number is the odds. The −1.5 means Toronto must meet the spread condition; the −110 means a C$110 stake would make C$100 profit if the selection wins under the market rules.

👉 What Does +1.5 or −1.5 Mean in Betting?

+1.5 and −1.5 usually describe a spread or handicap, not American odds. In an NHL puck-line example, Toronto −1.5 generally needs Toronto to win by two or more goals for the selection to win.

Montreal +1.5 can win if Montreal wins outright or loses by one goal, subject to the market rules. The sign here changes the event condition, whereas the sign in +150 or −150 changes how the price is presented.

👉 What Does Even Money Mean?

+100 is often called an even-money price. A C$100 stake at +100 produces C$100 profit and a C$200 total return if it wins.

Its decimal equivalent is 2.00. Even money does not mean an even chance of winning once a market’s margin and all of its terms are considered.

👉 What Do −110 Odds Mean?

−110 means a C$110 stake would make C$100 profit if the selection wins. The total return would be C$210.

This price is common in spread and total markets. In Over 6.5 at −110, 6.5 is the goals line and −110 is the American odds; they have different functions.

👉 Why Do Plus and Minus Odds Change?

American odds can change when new information or market conditions change the offered price. Toronto could move from −140 to −170, while Montreal moves from +120 to +145.

Lineup news, injuries, market activity, changing expectations, and live score or game state can all affect the display. The movement shows a changed price, not a guaranteed change in the real-world result; always check the accepted odds on the ticket.

👉 Are Positive Odds Better Than Negative Odds?

No. Positive odds offer more potential profit relative to the stake, but they usually correspond to a lower implied probability. Minus odds typically require a larger stake to make the C$100 reference profit but are often assigned a higher implied probability.

The useful distinction is higher potential payout does not equal a better bet. The sign tells you how the operator has expressed the price, not whether you should place the wager.

🤔 How + and − Odds Look on a Betting Page

A betting page can show American odds in several different markets for the same game. Read the selection, line, and price together.

• NHL moneyline: Toronto Maple Leafs −155; Montreal Canadiens +135.
• Puck line: Toronto −1.5 at +145; Montreal +1.5 at −165.
• Total: Over 6.0 at −110; Under 6.0 at −110.

The team is the selection, −1.5 or +1.5 is the line, and +145, −165, or −110 is the price. After choosing one option, the bet slip is where a user enters a C$ stake and sees the potential profit and total return.

❌ Common Mistakes Beginners Make

➤ Mistake 1: Thinking −150 means losing C$150

It does not. −150 is a price reference that means C$150 would be staked to make C$100 profit if the selection wins.

➤ Mistake 2: Thinking +150 means the total return is C$150

It does not. With a C$100 stake at +150, C$150 is the profit and C$250 is the total return.

➤ Mistake 3: Confusing −150 odds with −1.5 spread

These numbers do different jobs. −150 is the American odds price; −1.5 is a spread or handicap condition.

➤ Mistake 4: Assuming minus always wins

A negative moneyline often identifies the favourite, but a favourite can lose. Odds are a price, not a certainty.

➤ Mistake 5: Thinking plus odds are automatically better value

A higher payout does not automatically mean better value. Plus odds normally come with a lower implied probability according to the market.

🛡️ Use American Odds Responsibly

American odds explain the price and possible return, but they do not remove risk. Set a limit, take breaks, and do not chase losses; seek support if betting stops being enjoyable.

In Ontario, AGCO requires sport and event betting operators to meet standards for player protection and responsible gambling, while iGaming Ontario provides links to educational and support resources. Rules and available services can differ by location.