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 Outcomes | Wins | Losses |
---|---|---|
12 | 5 | 7 |
- 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!