Scrolling through BetMGM odds without really knowing what they mean? We’ve been there. It’s easy to skip past the numbers, but understanding what they’re telling you can make a difference to deciding whether to build a parlay or cash out.
In this guide, we’ll walk through how BetMGM odds are displayed and how to read them in each format (American, Decimal, and Fractional). If you are wondering how do betting odds work, you’ll know what they really mean when you’re placing a bet, as we prepared another thorough check and update today. We’ll also cover boosted odds, same-game combos, potential returns, and the quirks that catch most people out, like when overtime counts and what happens when odds shift mid-placement.
Facts
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At the heart of it, odds are just a way of expressing two things:
- How likely something is to happen.
- What kind of return you’d get if it does.
BetMGM uses the term “implied probability” a lot. And that’s just the book’s way of showing how confident they are in something happening. The lower the potential return, the more likely it is to occur.
BetMGM offers three different odds formats:
- American
- Decimal
- Fractional
You can change the display by going to Sports → My Bets → Settings → Odds Format. It updates instantly across the app, which is great if you’re used to one style, or switching between sports.
American odds: The one with the plus and minus
If you’ve read our BetMGM review, and are based in the US, you will see American odds displayed by default.
They look something like this:
- -145 next to a favourite
- +200 next to an underdog
A minus number (-) means the team/player is favoured. So -145 means you’d need to bet $145 to return $100 in profit. A plus number (+) means the team/player is less likely to win. So +200 would return $200 on a $100 bet.
Here’s a few examples which display the implied probability of the outcome happening:
| American Odds | Implied Probability | Decimal Equivalent |
| -300 | 75.0% | 1.33 |
| -200 | 66.7% | 1.50 |
| -150 | 60.0% | 1.67 |
| -120 | 54.5% | 1.83 |
| -110 | 52.4% | 1.91 |
| +100 | 50.0% | 2.00 |
| +120 | 45.5% | 2.20 |
| +150 | 40.0% | 2.50 |
| +200 | 33.3% | 3.00 |
| +400 | 20.0% | 5.00 |
Your view on the outcome of an event might be different, of course, but the sportsbook’s odds are generally a good guide.
Decimal odds: For when you want it straight
If you’re used to seeing odds like 1.50 or 2.00, this will feel familiar. Decimal odds are common across Europe, Australia, and Canada, and they’re pretty straightforward once you know what you’re looking at.
A price like 1.50 means your potential return is $150 on a $100 bet, so that includes your original stake. It’s a clean way to see exactly what’s coming back, without having to calculate your profit separately.
Fractional odds: Still popular in the UK
This format looks like 2/1 or 5/2, and you’ll see it used as the default at UK bookmakers more than at betmgm sister sites. Unlike decimal, fractional odds only show your potential profit, not your total return.
So a £100 bet at 2/1 would return £200 in profit, plus your £100 back, meaning a total return of £300. It takes a little more math than decimal, but some people still prefer it for quick value comparisons.
Pros and cons
BetMGM Sport Pros and Cons - American, Decimal, and Fractional odds formats
- Clear colour-coded indicators for odds changes
- Potential returns calculated automatically
- Odds changes can interrupt placement
How BetMGM shows and updates odds
Once you’ve picked a format (American, Decimal, or Fractional), you’ll see the odds displayed that way across every part of the sportsbook, event pages, live games, and your own betslip. Here’s what to expect as you place a bet and how the BetMGM app responds when odds change.
Where you see odds in the app
Odds are listed right next to each team or player on the main market screen. Once you tap a selection, it’s added to your betslip, where you’ll see a more detailed breakdown of what that price means.
When a bet amount is added, the app then calculates and displays your “Potential Return” based on the odds and the amount of your bet. How that return is displayed depends on which odds format you’re using.
What happens when odds move mid-placement
Live games move fast, and so do the odds. If you’re placing a bet when the prices shift, BetMGM makes it easy to track changes:
- Green text = odds increased
- Red text = odds decreased
If the price changes before you confirm, the app won’t accept your bet automatically. You’ll get a notification and can either accept the new odds or clear the slip. There’s also an option in Settings to auto-accept odds changes, which can save time.
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How BetMGM displays common markets
Some of the most common confusion comes down to what’s included in each type of bet. Let’s look at the main categories you’ll see and the rules that often catch people out, especially when it comes to overtime.
Moneyline, Spreads, and Totals
- Moneyline – Is the simplest to understand, you’re just picking who wins. The odds reflect how likely that outcome is, with favourites showing minus odds and underdogs with a plus.
- Spreads – Involve predicting how much a team will win or lose by. These odds usually sit around -110 in American format, which works out to about 1.91 in decimal. You’re not predicting who wins, just by what margin.
- Totals – Sometimes called Over/Under, are all about the combined final score. You’re deciding whether that score goes over or under the set line. Pretty straightforward on paper, but what counts as part of that total can get tricky.
Overtime rules
BetMGM’s house rules are clear, but only if you’ve looked them up. For full-game totals, overtime is included. The same goes for second-half totals. But if you’re looking at first-half lines or individual quarters, overtime doesn’t count toward the total.
If the final result lands exactly on the line, that’s called a push, and your original stake is returned.
Props and period markets
This is where things get a little murkier. Not every prop includes overtime, and some use official league stats while others rely on BetMGM’s in-house data. That’s why it’s important to dig into the details before confirming anything.
You’ll want to double-check the market scope. Is it the whole game or just one segment? Look at the settlement rules, and whether there are any conditions where your stake would just be returned. In most cases, you’ll find this info by tapping the small icon next to the betting market inside the app.
Combining odds
Putting together multiple selections can give you a better potential return, but it also comes with more risk. All legs need to land, or you’re out. BetMGM offers a few ways to place multi leg bets.
📊 Standard Parlays
A classic parlay lets you combine selections from completely different games or events. You might take one outcome from an NFL game, another from a tennis match, and maybe one from a live basketball market, all in the same slip. The odds multiply together to create a single price. So if you have three selections, each with decent odds, the potential return can look pretty strong. But there’s a catch. If even one leg loses, the entire slip is a bust. If a leg gets voided, say the event is postponed or ruled out for any reason, BetMGM just removes that leg from the parlay and keeps the others active. It’s not a total loss, but your return will be based on the remaining selections.
🏟️ Same Game Parlays
If you want to combine outcomes from within the same game, BetMGM gives you that option through Same Game Parlays, or SGP. For the UK version of the site and app, this is called a Bet Builder, but the concept is the same. You might combine a player to score, a total points line, and a team to win all within one football or basketball match. It’s especially popular for stacking related outcomes in a single bet. Like traditional parlays, all legs in an SGP must win. SGP+ takes things a step further, letting you combine different SGPs or link them with other singles in the same slip. You’ll find these options under the “Builder” or “Same Game Parlay” tab.
May the odds be ever in your favour
Understanding how BetMGM odds work isn’t just for pros, it’s for anyone who wants to know the implied probability for any bet they’re placing. The odds show the sportsbook’s take on any given outcome. Add tools like Cash Out, Edit My Bet, and Bet Builder, and suddenly your odds become more than just numbers, they’re decisions. Just don’t forget that the number next to your selection is more than your potential return, it reflects the probability, too.
BetMGM odds FAQ
- ❓ Can I change the odds format on BetMGM?
Yes. Just head to Sports → My Bets → Settings → Odds Format. You can switch between American, Decimal, and Fractional whenever you like.
- ⚙️ What do the green and red colours mean on odds?
Green means the odds have lengthened. Red means the odds have shortened. It’s BetMGM’s way of indicating live price movements in real time.
- 🕒 Why did the odds change before I placed my pick?
Odds can shift between the time you tap a selection and when you confirm it, especially during live play. If that happens, the app will prompt you to accept the new price, or to clear your slip.
- 📊 How do I read American odds?
Minus odds (like -150) mean the team is favoured. Plus odds (like +200) mean they’re less likely to win. The bigger the number, the more extreme the expectation.
- 🚫 What happens if an event is voided or cancelled?
Your original stake is refunded for a single bet. If it was part of a parlay, that leg is removed and the rest of the selections stay live.