Type odds in any format and the converter instantly shows them as decimal, fractional and American odds, plus the implied probability. Add a stake to see what the bet would pay in rand.
Fractional odds are shown in their simplest form, so a bookmaker’s 6/4 appears as 3/2; they’re the same price. Implied probability includes the bookmaker’s margin, so it’s a little higher than the real chance. For information only. 18+.
How betting odds work
Odds tell you two things: how much a bet pays and how likely the bookmaker thinks the outcome is. South African bookmakers mostly show decimal odds, but some, like Hollywoodbets, also use fractional odds, especially on horse racing. American odds appear on some international sites.
Decimal odds
Multiply your stake by the odds to get your total payout, including your stake. A R100 bet at 2.50 pays R250: R150 profit plus your R100 back.
Fractional odds
The fraction shows profit relative to stake. At 6/4 you win R6 for every R4 staked, so R100 wins R150 profit and pays R250 in total, the same as decimal 2.50. “Evens” (1/1) means you double your money.
American odds
A plus number shows the profit on a 100 stake (+150 wins 150). A minus number shows how much you need to stake to win 100 (-200 means stake 200 to win 100).
Implied probability
Divide 1 by the decimal odds to get the bookmaker’s implied chance. Odds of 2.50 imply 40%. Add up the implied probabilities for every outcome of a match and you’ll get more than 100%; the extra is the bookmaker’s margin.
Common odds conversion table
| Fractional | Decimal | American | Implied probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/4 | 1.25 | -400 | 80.0% |
| 1/2 | 1.50 | -200 | 66.7% |
| 4/5 | 1.80 | -125 | 55.6% |
| 10/11 | 1.91 | -110 | 52.4% |
| 1/1 (evens) | 2.00 | +100 | 50.0% |
| 11/10 | 2.10 | +110 | 47.6% |
| 6/4 | 2.50 | +150 | 40.0% |
| 2/1 | 3.00 | +200 | 33.3% |
| 5/2 | 3.50 | +250 | 28.6% |
| 3/1 | 4.00 | +300 | 25.0% |
| 5/1 | 6.00 | +500 | 16.7% |
| 10/1 | 11.00 | +1000 | 9.1% |
Putting odds to work? Try our multibet calculator or the each-way calculator for horse racing. Comparing odds across bookmakers? The arbitrage calculator shows whether they disagree enough to lock in a profit.
Example
A bookmaker shows a Springboks win at 6/4. Type 6/4 into the fractional box and the converter shows:
- Decimal: 2.50, so a R100 bet returns R250 (R150 profit plus your R100 stake).
- American: +150, meaning R100 wins R150 profit.
- Implied probability: 40%, the chance the bookmaker’s price suggests.
If you think the Springboks win more often than 40% of the time, the price offers value. If you think it’s less, the odds are too short. Want to see what several selections pay together? Try our multibet calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Which odds format do South African bookmakers use?
Most licensed SA bookmakers, such as Betway, Supabets and Play.co.za, show decimal odds by default. Hollywoodbets and horse racing markets often show fractional odds. The payout is the same whichever format you choose.
How do I convert fractional odds to decimal?
Divide the first number by the second and add 1. So 6/4 is 6 ÷ 4 + 1 = 2.50.
Does implied probability tell me the real chance of winning?
Not exactly. It’s the bookmaker’s estimate with their margin built in, so the true chance is usually a bit lower than the implied probability.
Play responsibly. No betting strategy guarantees a profit. Only bet what you can afford to lose, and set deposit limits in your accounts. For free, confidential help, call the South African Responsible Gambling Foundation on 0800 006 008. See our responsible gambling guide. 18+ only.