What is a favorite in sports betting?
The side the market expects to win, shown with a minus sign.
At a glance
- Category
- Basics
Run the numbers
Reading a favorite
A favorite is marked by a minus: -7 on the spread means laying seven points, and -150 on the moneyline means risking $150 to win $100. The bigger the number on the moneyline, the heavier the favorite. On the spread, the bigger the number, the more the team is expected to win by.
Favorites and value are different things
A favorite is not a good bet or a bad bet on its own. It is simply the more likely winner, and the price already reflects that. The only question worth asking is whether the price overstates or understates how likely it really is.
Frequently asked questions
What does the minus sign mean in betting odds?+
A minus sign marks the favorite. On a moneyline, -150 means you risk $150 to win $100. On a spread, -7 means the team must win by more than seven points.
Are favorites better bets than underdogs?+
No. Favorites win more often but pay less, and the two balance out at a fair price. What matters is whether the price is right, not which side is favoured.
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