Demystifying 5-7 Betting Odds: Understanding Underdogs

As an avid sports bettor and gaming enthusiast, understanding various betting odds is second nature to me. But for beginners, seeing unfamiliar ratios like "5-7 odds" can be confusing. What do these numbers actually mean? Are 5-7 odds good or bad? Read on for the full low-down so you can decipher betting odds like a pro.

Defining 5-7 Odds

First things first, let‘s demystify the 5-7 odds ratio:

  • It refers to 5 potential winning outcomes and 7 potential losing outcomes out of a total of 12 possibilities.
  • So if you placed 12 bets at 5-7 odds, 5 would expect to win and 7 would expect to lose.
  • This 5:7 ratio of wins to losses indicates underdog odds, as losing is more likely than winning.

Implied Probability – Only 42% Chance to Win

Based on the ratio, we can calculate the implied probability for 5-7 odds:

Potential OutcomesWinsLosses
1257
  • Probability of winning = # wins / total outcomes = 5 / 12 = 42%
  • Under 50% means underdog status

So at 5-7 odds, each wager only has about a 42% chance of winning. The math shows why this ratio represents underdog odds versus a heavy betting favorite.

Examples of 5-7 Underdog Bets

When might a sportsbook set lines with 5-7 style odds for the underdog? Some real-world situations:

  • NCAA March Madness game with #7 seed beating #2
  • Worst NFL team upsetting the top Super Bowl contender
  • Major boxing title fight with less-skilled challenger

While underdogs, these bets have a reasonable shot at scoring an upset victory against the odds.

Calculating Your 5-7 Payout

If you beat the 5-7 odds and win your underdog bet, how is the payout calculated?

  • Simply add the two numbers together – your payout is the stake plus the profit.
  • So on a $10 bet at 5-7 odds, a win would return $15 total ($10 stake + $5 profit).

Let‘s say you put $100 on a hot underdog pick at tempting 5-7 odds and they pull off the upset. Cha-ching! Your payout is $100 (your stake) + $50 profit = $150.

Should You Bet 5-7 Underdogs?

While riskier, underdog bets present a chance for savvy gamblers to get a great payout at strong odds. I like to mix in intelligent 5-7 odds bets among my wagers rather than always betting on the favorite. When your dark horse pick beats expectations, the profits are sweet!

So next time you see 5-7, 6-5 or similar underdog odds, remember – they represent a reasonable chance to win at profitable payouts. Just bet underdog odds selectively and responsibly!

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