Confused by -200 and +150 moneyline odds during NBA games and unsure how it works, which team is the favorite, or how to compute your return? Unlike decimal odds, these betting lines don’t immediately show your total payout, and the plus or minus sign can be confusing when you’re seeing them for the first time.
The good news? American (moneyline) odds aren’t as complicated as they look. They are simply another way of showing potential profit and risk. So if you’re checking the odds board on WClubSG and see prices like -200 or +150, this guide will show you how to read moneylines and calculate your payout.
What Do American Odds Actually Mean?
American odds — also called moneyline odds — tell you either how much profit you’d make from a $100 stake, or how much you’d need to risk to win $100.
At WClubSG, you’re more likely to see decimal odds, so that American odds may feel unfamiliar at first. You’ll usually encounter this format when following US sports markets like the NBA, NFL, MLB, and NHL.
Look at the sign — that’s your shortcut.
- Plus sign = tells you the profit from a $100 wager
- Minus sign = tells you how much to risk for a $100 win.
Here’s how it works:
+150 means a $100 bet gives you $150 profit. Add your original stake back, and you’re walking away with $250 total.
-200 means you need to put up $200 to win $100. If you bet $100 at -200 and it wins, your total return is $150.
One thing that catches people out is assuming that a bigger number means it is the better team. In American odds, the favorite almost always shows a negative number — the market expects them to win. The underdog gets the positive number because the payout is bigger.
Therefore,
- Minus = favorite
- Plus = underdog
If you’ve already read our article about decimal odds explained, you’ll see the same probability, and the prices are just shown differently.
How Can You Calculate Payout From American Odds?
The plus and minus signs are the first thing to look at when reading American odds. They tell you which calculation to use, so treat them as two completely different formulas. If you ignore the sign, your payout calculation changes completely.
If you’re already read our Fractional Odds Explained, you’ll notice the same idea applies here — the format looks different, but the goal is still the same: understanding how much profit your stake can generate.
For Negative odds (favorites):
(Stake ÷ odds) × 100 = profit
Let’s say you put $40 on Liverpool at -200. Start by dividing your stake by 200—so 40 ÷ 200 = 0.2. Times that by 100, and you’ve got $20 profit. Add your original $40 stake back, and you’re looking at $60 total.
For positive odds (underdogs):
(Stake ÷ 100) × odds = profit
If you bet $40 on Leicester at +150, the calculation’s a bit different. Divide your stake by 100—40 ÷ 100 = 0.4. Then multiply that by 150, and you get $60 profit. Add your original $40 back, and your total return is $100.
Here’s a quick example of how that works with different bets and prices:
| Stake | American Odds | Profit | Total Return |
| $40 | -200 | $20.00 | $60.00 |
| $40 | +150 | $60.00 | $100.00 |
| $100 | -150 | $66.67 | $166.67 |
| $50 | +200 | $100.00 | $150.00 |
American Odds Vs Decimal Odds: How You Can Quickly Convert The Odds?
If you’re already used to decimal odds, American odds are just another way of showing the same price. The main difference? Decimal odds show your total return (stake included), while American odds show either your profit or how much you need to risk, based on a $100 reference point.
The conversion is simple:
For negative American odds:
Decimal = (100 ÷ odds) + 1
For positive American odds:
Decimal = (odds ÷ 100) + 1
Examples:
-200 = (100 ÷ 200) + 1 = 1.50 decimal
+150 = (150 ÷ 100) + 1 = 2.50 decimal
Once you’ve converted, it’s the same calculation you do when looking at decimal odds format:
Stake × Decimal Odds = Total Return
So if you see an NBA moneyline at +150 on WClubSG, you now know that’s 2.50 in decimal. A $40 stake would return:
$40 × 2.50 = $100 total return
One thing worth keeping in mind — neither format gives you a better price. They’re just different ways of showing the same market. The real advantage is knowing what you’re looking at before you bet.
| Feature | American Odds | Decimal Odds |
| Shows | Profit or risk based on $100 | Total return including stake |
| Example | +150 | 2.50 |
| $100 Bet | Profit: $150 | Return: $250 |
| Common in | NBA, NFL, US sportsbooks | Singapore and international sportsbooks |
Final Say
The plus and minus signs do most of the work — minus favors, plus underdogs; the rest is straightforward—just a simple calculation.
Remember:
- Check the sign first — it tells you which formula to use.
- Negative odds show what you need to risk. Positive odds show your potential profit.
- Converting to decimal format takes one extra step, but the math after that is the same.
You can also read an article on how to convert between odds formats, so the next time you check an NBA line on WClub888, you can easily identify who’s favored.
FAQs:
Are American Odds Harder To Understand Than Decimal Odds?
They can feel unfamiliar at first because they don’t show your total return straight away. But once you get the plus and minus signs, the rest is easy.
Do American Odds And Decimal Odds Show Different Payouts?
No — same price, different format. +150 American is the same as 2.50 decimal. Just a different way of writing it.
Do I Need A Moneyline Odds Calculator To Work Out Payouts?
In most cases, you don’t need one. Just knowing whether the odds are positive or negative is enough to do the maths manually. A calculator only really helps when the numbers get awkward, or you’re short on time.
