Decimal odds, AKA European odds, are a popular odds format used in sports betting.
They represent the potential payout of a winning bet, including the original stake.
Decimal odds are displayed as a numerical value greater than 1.
The number indicates the total amount you will receive back (including your original stake) for every unit bet.
For example, decimal odds of 2.50 imply that a $1 bet would result in a total payout of $2.50 ($1 winnings + $1 original stake).
Example: MLB Moneyline Bet
Suppose you want to bet on a Major League Baseball (MLB) game between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox. The sportsbook provides the following decimal odds:
Yankees: 1.70
Red Sox: 2.20
If you wager $100 on the Yankees at odds of 1.70, a winning bet would yield a total payout of $170 ($70 winnings + $100 original stake).
Similarly, a $100 bet on the Red Sox at odds of 2.20 would result in a potential payout of $220 ($120 winnings + $100 original stake).