What does “plus money” mean?
Learn the meaning of plus money in betting and how arbitrage betting can help you profit safely.
What does “plus money” mean?
Plus money refers to American odds in sports betting that are positive numbers indicating how much profit you make on a $100 wager.
Understanding plus money is essential because it shows potential profit and helps bettors compare payouts between different bets.
While interpreting plus money can sometimes be confusing, arbitrage betting removes guesswork by guaranteeing profit regardless of the odds.
Understanding Plus Money in Sports Betting
Plus money is a format for expressing odds primarily used in American sports betting. When you see a positive number such as +150, it means you will win $150 profit on a $100 bet if your wager succeeds. The larger the plus number, the higher the potential payout and risk. This contrasts with minus money, which shows how much you must bet to win $100.
- •Plus money indicates underdog or less likely outcomes
- •Shows potential profit on a standard $100 stake
- •Helps compare value between different bets
💡Example of Plus Money
If a bet is listed at +200, placing a $100 wager will net $200 profit plus your original stake back if you win.
Profit = (Odds / 100) * Bet Amount; Here, (200 / 100) * 100 = $200 profit
Plus Money Compared to Other Odds Formats
Besides American odds, sports betting uses decimal and fractional odds. Plus money is straightforward for American bettors but can confuse newcomers. Decimal odds represent total payout including stake, while fractional odds show profit relative to the stake. Plus money is advantageous because it clearly shows profit on standard amounts, but converting between formats requires basic math. Arbitrage betting benefits from understanding all odds types since it exploits price differences across bookmakers. Tools like ArbitUp simplify these conversions and calculations.
- •Decimal odds show total payout, including stake
- •Fractional odds show profit relative to stake
- •Plus money expresses profit on a $100 bet
Converting Plus Money to Decimal Odds
To convert plus money to decimal odds, divide the plus number by 100 and add 1. For example, +150 converts to 2.5 decimal odds (150/100 + 1). This conversion helps bettors compare different formats easily.
💡Converting +150 to Decimal
Plus money +150 equals decimal odds 2.5, meaning a $1 bet returns $2.50 total.
Decimal = (150 / 100) + 1 = 2.5
Risks and Challenges When Betting with Plus Money
Betting solely based on plus money can mislead bettors into chasing high payouts without considering true probabilities. Large plus numbers often indicate underdogs with lower chances of winning, which means higher risk. Without careful analysis, bettors might place bets that are unfavorable long-term. Arbitrage betting offers a superior alternative by focusing on guaranteed profits through exploiting differing odds rather than relying on uncertain outcomes. Also, manual calculations for arbitrage can be complex, but software like ArbitUp automates this process to reduce errors.
- •High plus money can mean low probability of winning
- •Potential for chasing risky bets based on payout size
- •Manual odds comparison and calculation is time-consuming
💡Risk Example
A +300 underdog bet looks attractive, but the team may only have a 20% chance of winning, making it a poor long-term strategy.
Implied Probability = 100 / (Plus Money + 100) = 100 / (300 + 100) = 25%
How Arbitrage Betting Utilizes Plus Money
Arbitrage betting takes advantage of discrepancies in plus money odds offered by different bookmakers to guarantee profits regardless of event outcomes. By placing bets on all possible results where odds differ sufficiently, bettors lock in a profit. This eliminates the guesswork and risk associated with betting on plus money odds alone. Calculating arbitrage opportunities involving plus money can be complicated, but tools like ArbitUp streamline the process by identifying and calculating profitable arbitrage bets automatically.
- •Arbitrage exploits differences in plus money odds
- •Guarantees profit regardless of outcome
- •Tools like ArbitUp automate complex calculations
Example of Arbitrage Using Plus Money
If one bookmaker offers +120 on Team A and another offers -130 on Team B, an arbitrage opportunity may exist. By betting proportionally on both, a bettor can lock in a small guaranteed profit.
💡Arbitrage Calculation Example
With odds +120 on one outcome and -130 on the other, calculate stake sizes to ensure total payout exceeds total bets.
Stake A = Total Bet / (Odd A decimal); Stake B = Total Bet / (Odd B decimal); Total Payout > Total Bet
Practical Advice for Bettors Using Plus Money
When betting with plus money, always consider implied probability and compare odds across multiple sportsbooks to find value. Avoid chasing high plus money bets without analyzing underlying chances. Using arbitrage strategies can help mitigate risk while still benefiting from plus money odds. Additionally, leveraging tools like ArbitUp can help identify profitable opportunities while handling complex math, making betting more efficient and less risky.
- •Compare plus money odds across multiple sportsbooks
- •Calculate implied probabilities before betting
- •Use arbitrage to guarantee profit and reduce risk
- •Employ software tools for accurate calculations
💡Value Betting Example
If a sportsbook offers +180 on a team with an actual 60% chance, this is a value bet worth considering.
Implied Probability = 100 / (180 + 100) = 35.7%; Actual Probability = 60%
Tools to Simplify Betting with Plus Money
Manual calculations of plus money odds, conversions, and arbitrage opportunities can be overwhelming. Using dedicated tools like ArbitUp can help automate these tasks by scanning multiple bookmakers, converting odds formats, and identifying arbitrage opportunities instantly. This reduces human error and allows bettors to focus on strategy rather than complex math, making arbitrage betting accessible even to beginners.
- •Automates odds conversions and comparisons
- •Identifies arbitrage opportunities quickly
- •Reduces risk of calculation errors
- •Saves time and improves betting efficiency
💡Using ArbitUp for Arbitrage
ArbitUp can scan sportsbooks for plus money discrepancies and calculate optimal stakes automatically to ensure guaranteed profits.
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Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ⚠️Misinterpreting plus money odds as total payout instead of profit, leading to incorrect expectations.
- ⚠️Ignoring the implied probability behind plus money and betting on longshots without value.
- ⚠️Failing to compare plus money odds across multiple sportsbooks to find the best value.
- ⚠️Chasing high plus money bets without considering the underlying risk and likelihood of winning.
- ⚠️Attempting arbitrage calculations manually, increasing the chance of errors and missed opportunities.
- ⚠️Confusing plus money with minus money odds and miscalculating potential returns.
- ⚠️Neglecting to consider bookmaker limits and restrictions that can affect arbitrage execution.
The Power of Arbitrage Betting
Arbitrage betting eliminates guesswork by exploiting odds discrepancies to guarantee profits regardless of event outcomes.
- ✓Provides risk-free profit opportunities by covering all outcomes
- ✓Removes reliance on predicting event results or chasing high-risk bets
- ✓Automates complex calculations and comparisons with tools like ArbitUp
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IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER
This content is for entertainment and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Sports betting involves substantial risk. Only bet with money you can afford to lose. See our Terms of Service for complete legal disclaimers.