How to Read Asian and European Odds: A Practical Guide

Imagine you're looking at a basketball game between the Philippines and China. The odds are displayed as 1.85 for the Philippines and 1.95 for China. These are European odds, also known as decimal odds. They tell you how much you'll win for every unit staked, including your stake. For example, a PHP 100 bet on the Philippines at 1.85 returns PHP 185 if they win, for a profit of PHP 85. European odds are straightforward and popular in many online sportsbooks.

Widening Out

Now, let's say you switch to a different site and see the same game with odds listed as -110 for the Philippines and -105 for China. These are Asian odds, also called American odds or moneyline odds. Negative numbers indicate the favorite and show how much you need to bet to win PHP 100. So a -110 bet means you need to wager PHP 110 to win PHP 100. If the odds are positive, like +120, it shows how much profit you'll make on a PHP 100 bet.

The key difference is in the presentation and calculation. European odds are easier for beginners because they directly show the total return. Asian odds are common in the US and for some Asian markets, and they can be more precise for experienced bettors. At 5gjili, we offer both formats, and you can switch between them in your account settings. Understanding both will help you compare lines across different platforms and spot value bets.