TL stands for ‘total length’, while RL stands for’reaction length’. The total length of a set of odds is the sum of the amount wagered on every outcome in the set. So, if you’ve placed a bet of £10 on England to win and you’re into sports betting, the total length of that bet would be £10 (10 pounds). This is important to keep in mind as it will affect the way you wager, as £10 is a large sum of money and you don’t want to risk more than you need to. The more you wager, the more you risk losing.
So, in general, shorter odds are more favoured by betting companies because it means a higher return on investment (ROI). Imagine you’ve placed a £10 bet on Ireland to win the next cricket match. Now, the amount you’ll win is not going to be nearly as much as you’ll lose if England win the match. Also, if you place a £100 bet on Ireland, then your return will be £90, as there’ll be £10 left over due to the nature of evens (1/1).
In general, shorter odds are favoured as they provide higher returns. However, there are exceptions to this rule as sometimes it is better to go for longer odds as they are more likely to help you win big.
Takeaway:
Try to avoid betting on shorter odds when you’re playing against larger odds as you’ll lose most of your money. It’s always better to go for longer odds as they are more effective in helping you win big.