In betting, the "+" symbol has different meanings depending on the context:
American Odds Format
The most common use of "+" is in American odds:
- Positive numbers (+150, +200) indicate the underdog
- The number shows how much profit you'd make on a £100 bet
- Example: +150 means a £100 bet would profit £150 (total return £250)
Handicap/Spread Betting
In handicap betting:
- +1.5, +2 etc. means points are added to that team's final score
- This gives the underdog team a virtual head start
- Example: Chelsea +1 means they start with a 1-goal advantage
Goal/Point Totals
In over/under markets:
- Over 2.5+ means betting on 3 or more goals/points
- The "+" emphasizes "or more"
Practical Example
If you see Manchester United at +180 on
Bet365,
William Hill, or
Paddy Power, they're the underdog and a £100 bet would profit £180 if they win.
Most UK bookmakers like
Sky Bet,
Ladbrokes, and
Coral primarily use fractional (5/2) or decimal (3.50) odds, but American odds with "+" symbols are increasingly common, especially for international markets.
The "+" essentially means "underdog" in most betting contexts, while "-" indicates the favourite.