The American gambling market is a large and growing industry, and with the legalization of online casinos and sportsbooks, it has never been more accessible to people worldwide.
Although there are various ways to bet on sports in America, it is worth noting that the odds on most sports matches are set by a governing body, the National Athletic Association (NAA). These odds determine the chances of winning or losing a particular game and are thus essential for gamblers deciding which sports to back. Unfortunately, not too many people know exactly how the odds work and how to calculate them; this article will clear up some of the mystery surrounding American odds, helping you to become a more confident, self-aware gambler.
The Overall Structure Of American Odds
The odds in American sports are set by the NAA, and they are published by the NCAA and the various professional sports leagues. The association sets the odds for almost all sports in the country, and they are either 3 or 4 points in favor of the home team. For example, a 3-point favorite means the home team has a 3:1 chance of winning the game, while a 4-point favorite means the home team has a 4:1 chance of winning the game. The bigger the favorite, the greater the chance of winning.
The overall structure of American odds is thus straightforward: the more points the home team wins by during the course of the game, the greater the payout for the bettor. Conversely, the less points the home team wins, the greater the payout for the bettor. For instance, a three-point favorite home team has a 3:1 chance of winning, while a one-point favorite has a 1:1 chance of winning. Another way to look at this is that a $100 bet on the underdog will return $300, but a $100 wager on the favorite will return only $100.
How To Calculate The American Odds For Football
For American football fans, the task of calculating the odds is made slightly more complicated by the fact that there are two distinct halves to each game, with a winner determined by a two-point conversion system known as the “field goal”.
In the first half, only the offense is allowed to possess the ball, and they are thus responsible for scoring any points. The defense does not get the opportunity to score any points until the end of the second half, when they too are allowed to possess the ball. Despite this, the defense has the option to win the game via a safety, via a turnover on downs (an obvious outcome of possessing the ball the entire game), or by kicking a field goal that is again, 2 points.
It is thus worth noting that the total number of points scored in either half determines the winner of the game, with three points being the minimum required for a home victory and four points being the absolute maximum. The following example illustrates the concept of half-point scoring and half-point conversion:
- If the Colts score 21 points in the first half and win, they will win by one point.
- If the 49ers manage just seven points in the first half, they will lose by one point.
- If the 49ers score 14 points in the first half and win, they will win by one point.
- If the Bucs manage 13 points in the first half and win, they will win by two points.
How To Calculate The American Odds For Basketball
Basketball is another sport where the odds are set by the NAA, with teams allowed to score via two methods: by 2-pointer (field goals) or via free throws after a field goal. As with American football, the number of points scored in each half determines the winner of the game, with three points being the minimum for a home victory and four points the absolute maximum. The following example illustrates the concept of half-point scoring and half-point conversion in basketball:
- If the Nuggets score 33 points in the first half and win, they will win by one point.
- If the Celtics score 29 points in the first half and win, they will win by one point.
- If the Nuggets score 24 points in the first half and win, they will win by one point.
- If the Celtics score 20 points in the first half and win, they will win by two points.
How To Calculate The American Odds For Baseball
Baseball is the granddaddy of American sports, with the NAA setting the odds for almost all games since 1884. Similar to basketball and American football, the total number of runs scored in each half determines the winner of the game, with the following table providing the official system-mandated rules regarding half-point scoring and half-point conversion in baseball:
- If the pitcher allows a run in the first half but stops the run-scoring in the second half, the run-scorer wins by one run.
- If the pitcher allows a run in both halves but stops the run-scoring in the second half, the run-scorer wins by two runs.
- If the pitcher allows a run in the first half and continues the run-scoring in the second half, the run-scorer wins by three runs.
- If the pitcher allows a run in the first half and continues the run-scoring in the second half, the run-scorer wins by four runs.
How To Calculate The American Odds For Hockey
Hockey is often hailed as the ultimate sport for mentalists and magicians, with the NAA again setting the odds for almost all games. The sport itself is quite similar to ice-skating, with the players using their hands to push and maneuver the puck toward the opponent’s goal. However, unlike in ice-skating, where the puck is only in play for a finite period of time, in hockey it is constantly in motion, making it more suitable for gambling purposes.
The following example provides the official system-mandated rules regarding half-point scoring and half-point conversion in hockey:
- If the goalie stops all the shots in the first half but fails to block a goal in the second half, the goal-blocker wins by one goal.
- If the goalie fails to stop any of the shots in both halves but does manage to block a goal, the goal-blocker wins by two goals.
- If the goalie allows a goal in the first half and continues the goal-scoring in the second half, the goal-scorer wins by three goals.
- If the goalie allows a goal in the first half and continues the goal-scoring in the second half, the goal-scorer wins by four goals.
Step-By-Step Guide To Calculating American Odds
It is not hard to figure out how to calculate American odds, but doing so can still be quite confusing. With so much information freely available online, it is no wonder that people are often uncertain as to how the numbers work and whether they are correctly applied. To help eliminate any remaining mysteries, this article provides a simple, step-by-step guide to calculating American odds, helping you to become a confident, self-aware gambler.
Get The Right Browser
To begin with, it is essential to have the right browser. Although Internet casinos and sportsbooks have increased the accessibility of gambling to people all over the world, it also means there are a lot of different types of browsers out there, and it is important to make sure you are using the correct one. Browsers play an essential role in ensuring your computer or mobile device is at its best for online gaming, and they also allow you to play the greatest number of games. The majority of browsers out there are free, including Chrome, Firefox, and Safari, all of which are widely available and install easily on your laptop or desktop computer. If you are playing on a mobile device, you will also need to download and install a mobile browser in addition to your regular browser.
Log In
Once you have the right browser, you can proceed to the next step and log in to your chosen casino or sportsbook. This is the most basic and fundamental step in calculating American odds. You will need to create an account before you can place any wagers, and you should do this as soon as possible. It is essential to establish a bank account at an online casino or sportsbook before you can begin staking your money, and thus creating an account gives you the chance to do so.