Understanding Kentucky Derby Betting Odds
Kentucky Derby betting odds are usually presented in American odds, you know, with the +500 next to a horse’s name. So when you see some fraction next to the horse you want to bet on, you might be thrown for a loop. Even more so if you’re looking at a number in decimal form. Understanding Kentucky Derby betting odds when they look like they’re in another language can be a little tricky, which is why we’ve put this page together.
Understanding Kentucky Derby betting odds comes down to just one thing – knowing how to read the different types of betting odds. There are three different types – American, Fractional, and Decimal. You’ll see fractional and American odds frequently enough, but you won’t see decimal odds very often. Remember, even if you can’t figure out how to read a betting odd in a certain style, you can always convert it to the style you are used to. We’ll explain that on this page, as well.
In understanding Kentucky Derby betting odds, you’ll come to find out that the payouts are the same no matter what format your betting odds are in, so you won’t get cheated on a bet just because it’s presented in a certain fashion. Below, we’ll go over each type of odd and how to read it. We’ll include examples so that you can hopefully leave this page understanding Kentucky Derby betting odds no matter what style they appear in.
So you may look at one racebook for legal Kentucky Derby betting and see odds in the American format and then look at another racebook and see them in decimal form. You might think, well now I can’t use this racebook. But that’s not the case at all. We’ll help you learn to read the different types of odds right here so that understanding Kentucky Derby betting odds comes naturally no matter what.
Understanding Kentucky Derby betting odds in the American format is pretty easy, all you need to know is what the symbols stand for. In horse racing betting, because there are more than just two opponents, there aren't any underdogs. So all competitors will a (+) next to a number. The number following the (+) denotes how much you stand to gain on a $100 bet.
McCraken +500
So, in the example above, if you bet on McCraken to win you stand to gain $500 for every $100 you wager. American odds are the most traditional form of betting odds you’ll find, especially at an online racebook that accepts US bettors.
Fractional odds are very common as well. The way to read a fractional odd is simple. The Denominator (bottom number) shows what you bet, while the Numerator (top number) shows how much you stand to gain.
McCraken 5/1
So, in this example, for every $1 bet, you would stand to gain $5. Fractional odds can be a little tough when the denominator isn’t 1. So, let’s say McCraken’s odds are 11/2. Here, for every 2 units bet, you stand to gain 11. Or, for every 1 unit bet, you stand to gain 5 ½. The payout for a $1 bet at 11/2 odds is $5.50.
Decimal odds are probably the hardest to learn. They’re also the least common, so you more than likely won’t see them very often. To read a decimal odd, take what you would be willing to wager (let’s say $100) and multiply it by the decimal odd. The answer you get is what you’ll receive if your bet is a success, including the initial wager amount.
McCraken 6.00
So, in the example, if you multiply 100 by 6.00, you get 600, so a $500 profit plus your original $100 wager.
Yes, the odds on the same horse pay the same no matter how they are listed. It doesn’t matter if you have them in fractional, American, or decimal. You’ll receive the same payout no matter what. Let’s look at our examples from above.
McCraken has +500 American odds, 5/1 Fractional odds, and 6.00 Decimal odds. These all equal each other. +500 pays $500 for every $100 wagered. 500 divided by 100 simplifies down to 5/1. That’s how you can switch between American odds and Fractional odds. Correlating this to decimal odds is where it gets tricky.
You’ll want to start by changing decimal odds to fractional odds. The first step is to subtract 1 from your decimal, so in this case, 6.00. So, 6-1=5. Then you would take that number and put it over 1. You get 5/1 which then is easily turned into +500. In each example, you stand to earn 5 for every 1 wagered. So it doesn’t matter how you look at it, the payout is the same no matter how the odds are presented.