Have you ever placed a bet on the side of a sporting event and wondered what the financial outcome of that wager was? You’re not alone. Many people have questions about gambling and the meaning of +400. The following article will attempt to answer those questions by breaking down the meaning of this common betting phrase.
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What Is The Meaning Of +400 In Betting?
+400 in betting simply indicates a wager placed at +400 odds, where +400 means the sportsbook opened the wager at +400 odds. In layman’s terms, that means the odds of winning the wager are 400 to 1. This might not seem like that big of a deal, but when you consider the fact that you would need to win 20 times in a row to cover your original wager, you can start to see why many gamblers and sportsbooks consider +400 to be strong odds. For example, if you went into a sportsbook and placed a $100 wager on the New York Jets to win the Super Bowl this year, the +400 odds would mean your money would be doubling to $200 in about three weeks. In a nutshell, +400 in betting means your money will be doubling in value – very quickly!
Why Are Some Sportsbooks Strict About +400 For Free Bets?
While +400 is popular amongst gamblers because it provides such strong odds of winning, many sportsbooks are more than willing to offer bigger odds for free bets. For instance, FanDuel, a popular online sportsbook, offers +1000 betting odds for their free wagers – and some bookmakers even have promotions where you can get +5000 odds! While these higher odds mean that your winnings could potentially be more than you put in, they also mean you’re more likely to lose money. The key to winning money with these bigger odds is to place multiple wagers of equal size on the same outcome. For example, if you have 10 bucks to spare and decide to place a $10 wager on each of the 10 major sports, you would need to win 10 times in a row to get back your original $100 – but you’d be placing 20 wagers, so you’re essentially doubling your money in about the same amount of time. This is why many sportsbooks do not offer +400 for free wagers – they know most people will use those free bets to increase their winnings, rather than decrease it.
When Is It Appropriate To Use +400 In Betting?
The main reason why many people use +400 in betting is because it is so easy to remember. If you’re playing slot machines or doing any type of gambling where you’re expected to keep score, it’s also a useful conversational piece. Most people do not like to talk about finances or odds, but with +400 they can be the topic of conversation for hours! Remember: the more you talk about odds, the more you’re going to end up with. So while it’s easy to use and can be very fun when you’re winning, overuse can hurt your wallet in the long run. Still, as long as you’re having fun, who cares right?
Do I Need To Research The History Of +400?
No, you do not need to research the history of +400 in betting. The odds will always be +400 when they are displayed, plus or minus a few nickels. The oddsmaker will always stick with the +400 number – it is what it is and there is no changing it. Researching the history of +400 in betting can only lead you down a path of confusion as everything else about odds is perfectly understood and predictable anyway.
How Do I Calculate My Money On A +400 Wager?
The first step to figuring out your money on a +400 wager is to determine how much you actually won or lost. In the example above, if you started with $100 and you won $200 after placing the same $100 wager 10 times in a row, your profit would be $200 – but if you lost $200 in the same scenario, your loss would be $400. After you figure out your profit or loss, you can determine how much you need to cover your original investment with a +400 wager. This is also called taking your winnings or losses and working them off the book. For example, if you lost $400 after winning $200 with the same $100 wager, you would only need to place a $600 wager to break even. The key to this entire process is to keep in mind what you’re trying to achieve and how you’re going to go about doing so. It really is that simple!
How Do I Calculate My Odds On A +400 Wager?
The next step is to figure out your odds on a $100 wager. This can be tricky because you don’t actually know what the odds are going to be until the wager is settled. The best way to determine your odds is to look at the previous results of the sports you’re following and applying them to the current situation. For example, let’s say you’re a Yankees fan and they’re playing the Red Sox. The previous results of this series are as follows:
- Red Sox have won 7 times out of 11
- Yankees have won 6 times out of 12
- The over under is 6.5 games (Yankees)
Based on these results, you can clearly see that the over under is 6.5 games (the 6.5 indicates you have to bet $100 to win $100), so you’re going to need to settle for a losing wager this time around.
Is It Possible To Win On A +400 Wager?
Of course it’s possible to win on a +400 wager! As long as you’re using odds that are favorable to you, it’s completely within the realms of possibility to win big. Remember, in order to win the bet, the odds have to be in your favor. It would help if you could identify the teams and/or athletes that are most likely to show up in your favor at this time. For example, if you’re starting a soccer season and your favorite teams are Manchester United and Liverpool, you might want to make sure you use those two teams more often than not when placing your wagers. This will greatly increase your chances of winning because they’re the two most iconic European soccer teams. The key with any type of betting is to keep an open mind and look for advantages where you can find them. In our example above, if United and Liverpool are playing an important soccer game that Saturday night, and you know both teams are strong, you might want to consider backing them both or placing a separate wager on each team to see which one triumphs. This could give you a chance at winning both games and finding yourself with some money to spare!
When Is It Appropriate To Use Different Odds In Betting?
Although most people think that the odds have to be the same whenever you place a wager, this is not necessarily the case. Different odds can make a world of difference in winning versus losing money. Take a look at the following example:
- A $100 bet on the New York Jets at -400 odds wins $400
- A $100 bet on the New York Jets at +400 odds wins $200
- A $100 bet on the New York Jets at +1200 odds wins $1200
- A $100 bet on the New York Jets at -1600 odds wins $1600
- A $100 bet on the New York Jets at -2000 odds wins $2000
Now try placing a $100 wager on each of the New York Jets and applying those different odds to create a scenario where you win, lose, or break even. What you’ve created here is three very distinct scenarios, each one with a different win-loss record for your $100 investment. Now if you want to place the same wager over and over, it’s easy enough to do – you just have to remember which odds are best suited for your purposes. In our example above, if you’re a fan of the New York Jets and want to keep backing them, use the -400 and +1200 odds when betting to maximize your returns. The other two options would be good for minimizing your losses and finding yourself with some extra money to spare!