What does + or – mean in sports betting?

What Does +/- MeEver seen a plus or minus next to a team and wondered what it means? These symbols can tell you a lot about betting odds, spreads, and who’s favoured to win.

From first-time punters to regulars at the bookies, many still pause when they see a plus or minus next to a team’s name. If you’ve ever wondered what those signs mean on betting slips, you’re not alone. While they’re more commonly seen in American odds formats, the + and – symbols are now popping up more often in global betting conversations. Whether you’re betting online or chatting footy with your mates, knowing what they mean could give you a sharper edge when placing your next wager.

What do + and – really mean?

The plus (+) and minus (–) signs usually appear in American odds or point spread betting, and they tell you two things:

• + (plus) means the team is the underdog
• – (minus) means the team is the favourite

These signs aren’t commonly used in fractional odds (like 5/1 or 2/7), which most UK punters are used to, but they’re worth knowing if you’re betting on US sports or using international sites.

Also Read: Want to learn sports betting? Here’s a beginners guide on how to bet read odds

In point spreads: level the playing field

In point spread betting, the +/- shows how many points the bookmaker gives or takes away to even the odds.

For example:

• Arsenal -2.5 means Arsenal must win by 3 or more goals for your bet to land.
• Brentford +2.5 means Brentford can lose by 2 or fewer goals (or win or draw), and you still win.

The aim is to make the contest equal — especially useful in mismatched games.

Also read: What are sports bets called a simple guide to betting slang and terminilogy

In American odds: profit expectations

In moneyline bets (common in the US), the +/- tells you how much you’d win or need to stake.

• +150 means you’d win £150 from a £100 bet.
• –150 means you need to bet £150 to win £100.

It’s just a different way of showing odds — not better or worse than fractional or decimal — just worth knowing.

Why should UK punters care?

With more UK bookies offering odds on US sports like NFL, NBA, and MLB, and more international platforms entering the market, these symbols are becoming harder to ignore. Even for British favourites like boxing and golf, you might see American odds on social media or betting forums.

Bottom line

If you’re sticking to fractional odds, you won’t see +/- too often. But if you’re exploring spreads, betting on US teams, or want to understand how bookies price up underdogs and favourites, it’s worth learning. After all, the better you understand the odds, the smarter your bets.