How to Read eSports Betting Odds in Canada

Easy explanation of Canada eSports odds and payouts.

What stops the majority of novice, would-be eSports bettors from ever placing that first wager is often the resounding confusion associated with odds. They could be displayed in one of three different formats, and none of them are straight forward in their meaning. Intentional? Probably not. Frustrating? Absolutely! We’ll clear up any confusion and teach you how to read eSports betting odds in Canada and beyond.

Canada eSports Odds and Payouts Explained

By the time you finish reading this, you should have a confident grasp on how to read eSports betting odds in any format. We’ll cover all three types – European decimal odds (EU), British fractional odds (UK), and American moneyline odds (US) – then compare what they look like side by side.

Why so many ways to present a wager? It’s all about where you live – or, in the case of online eSports bookies, where the website operator is located. As you can see, each type is named after a region of the world. EU odds are found mostly in Europe (except Great Britain); UK odds are the favored method of the British; US odds are found, of course, in the United States market.

You’ll notice Canada didn’t fall into any of those categories, nor does the US market point to all of North America. Don’t feel singled out. The entire wager-hungry continents of Africa, Asia, Australia, and South America aren’t represented either. Every region borrows its preferred odds format from one of the three standards.

In Canada, EU odds are the format of choice, so that’s where we’ll start our lesson.

European Decimal Odds

EU odds are not only the preferred format of Canadians, they are largely considered the easiest of all formats to comprehend. Good news for us, right? It’s also helpful that the majority of reputable eSports betting sites are headquartered and licensed in Europe, making this relatively easy odds to find.

As the name suggests, EU decimal odds are displayed as a decimal number, such as 1.5, 2.0, or 3.4. This number represents the multiple of your bet that you’ll receive back for a win, including the return of your original bet.

To figure out the return – the total return, plus initial bet – simply multiply your intended bet by the odds. To figure out the profit only, multiply by your bet, then subtract your bet.

Let’s take a look at a few examples.

2.0 Odds

At odds of 2.0, you’re looking to place an even money bet. If you wager $50, your total return would be $100 – a $50 profit, plus your $50 bet back.

• $50 x 2.0 = $100 Total Return
• $100 – $50 = $50 Profit

1.5 Odds

This would be a bet on a heavy favorite, as you’re looking to bet twice as much money as you make. If you wager $50 at 1.5 odds, the total return would be $75, equating to a potential profit of just $25.

• $50 x 1.5 = $75 Total Return
• $75 – $50 = $25 Profit

3.2 Odds

These odds denote a risky bet with a high reward. A $50 bet would return $160 in all; $110 as winnings.

• $50 x 3.2 = $160 Total Return
• $160 – $50 = $110 Profit

Any easy way to look at Canada eSports odds, at a glance, is to judge how close they are to a even-money 2.0 payout.

• Less than 2.0 Odds – Bet more to win less.
• More than 2.0 Odds – Bet less to win more.
• Exactly 2.0 Odds – Win same as you bet (even money).

British Fractional Odds

We all learned in grade school math class how to convert decimals to fractions, and vice versa. That doesn’t mean we were all good at it, or that we remember the formulas today. But that’s what the bookies in United Kingdom use to display their odds – a fractional depiction of what you can win, over what you’ll need to bet to win it. Add the two numbers together and you get the total return.

The easiest way to read these eSports betting odds is to look at the second number first. The second number is what you need to bet, and the first number is the amount you can win for doing so.

That being said, here are a few examples.

• 1/1 Odds – Bet 1 unit to win 1 unit (even money)
• 1/2 Odds – Bet 2 units to win 1 unit
• 3/5 Odds – Bet 5 units to win 3 units (total return 8 units)
• 5/3 Odds – Bet 3 units to win 5 units (total return 8 units)
• 5/1 Odds – Bet 1 unit to win 5 units (total return 6 units)

American Moneyline Odds

These are the hardest odds for most eSports beginners to learn. They are usually three-digit numbers (sometimes four) displayed as a positive or negative integer. The positive/negative aspect determines whether you’re looking at the amount you need to bet to win $100, or the amount you’ll win for betting $100. Let me try to explain that better.

+120 Positive Moneyline Odds

When the odds are positive, as in +120, you are seeing the amount of money you will win for placing a $100 bet. So, if you bet $100 on this line, you stand to make a win profit of $120 (total return $220).

-120 Negative Moneyline Odds

When the odds are negative, as in -120, you are being shown the amount of money you need to wager to win $100. So, if you bet $120 on this line, you stand to win $100 (total return $220).

These tips should help you along.

• Positive line denotes a higher reward, for higher risk.
• Negative line signifies a lower reward, for reduced risk.
• Positive means, “win more than you bet.”
• Negative means, “win less than you bet.”

How eSports Betting Odds Compare

The following table depicts a range of odds in EU (and Canada), UK and US odds formats. The last column denotes the bet vs. win ratio.

More Helpful Information about eSports Betting in Canada

• Common Types of eSports Bets
• The Different Types of eSports Video Games
• How to Bet on eSports – Getting Started
• Ins and Outs of Virtual eSports Betting
• Tips for Picking an eSports Winner
• Canada eSports FAQ & Resource Centre