The big board at any Vegas sports book is a sight to behold. A slick cross between the New York Stock Exchange and a McDonald’s walk-up menu, the boards are updated moment to moment and bet to bet, giving a sports gambler all the data he needs to make a smart bet.

These boards are copied and pasted into the newspapers or shrunk to fit computer screens and smartphone apps but nothing measures up to the real thing. Hundreds of games, thousands of bets. All listed above you.

The big boards in Vegas tell us many things. The favorites. The underdogs. The payout. Where the money is. Knowing how to read Vegas Odds is important to every gambler not just to place a bet, obviously, but to place a smart bet. And that’s all good gamblers want to do. They want to make smart bets, win 60-70 percent of the time, and move on to the next bet.

1. You can use Vegas odds to calculate the favorite’s chance of winning the fight. It’s done through this formula: Percentage = (Vegas Odds / (100 + Vegas Odds)) x 100 Note that in this formula you need to use a positive number, even though the odds on favorites are displayed as negative numbers.
2. The Dolphins' odds are -180, meaning an $18 bet would win $10 for a return of $28. The Jets' odds are +160, meaning a $10 bet would win $16 for a return of $26. Football Parlays: More than one team on the same bet. You may combine several teams into one wager. All teams and/or totals must cover the point spread to win the bet.

Odds expressed in terms of money, with $100 being the standard. If the odds are minus (–), then that amount of money must be wagered to win $100. –150 means you must bet $150 to win $100.). How Do Vegas Odds Work? Sports odds, whether you're reading them in your local bricks and mortar venue or on the web, are inevitably influenced by what the bookies are saying in Sin City. Bookies use Vegas odds as a benchmark, meaning there's less variation between gambling venues across the world.

But how do the big boards in Vegas work? What are they telling us? And what can we derive from them? It is just as important to know the odds you’re gambling with as it is to know the sport you’re gambling on. Making a smart bet is the goal. And smart gamblers use all the information available in order to do so.

For a brilliant summary for reading Vegas Odds 101, listen to our Sports and Vegas Odds Podcast episode where Ryan breaks it all down for you:

American Odds

Vegas odds are often referred to as “American Odds” because Americans always have to be different. We ignore the metric system. We call football, soccer. We drive on the wrong side of the road. Why would sports gambling be any different?

American odds are presented in the form of a $100 bet. They’ll indicate the amount you need to wager to win $100 or the amount you’ll win if you bet $100. So, for a favorite, the odds will begin with a minus (-) sign. This is the amount you need to bet in order to win $100.

On the other hand, the underdog’s odds will begin with a plus (+) sign. This is the amount you will receive if you were to bet $100. This does not mean you have to bet $100. Or mean that you can only bet as much as $100. See, Americans have to be different. Hang in there because we have some examples forthcoming.

These odds will come into play a few ways depending on the type of bet you place. The moneyline, the point spread, and the totals (over/under) are all bets available on the board. Let’s look at how to read them in Vegas with the odds.

The Moneyline

Simply put, a bet on the moneyline is an odds bet. It’s where “American odds” can easily be seen. With a moneyline bet you’re simply picking the winner and the payout is determined by the odds.

Obviously, a bet on the favorite is going to pay out less than a bet on the underdog. Let’s look at an example of a moneyline bet with an NBA game and how it would appear in Vegas. The Pacers/Cavs line.

• Indiana Pacers +350
• Cleveland Cavaliers -440

The Pacers are the underdog on the moneyline at +350. The Cavs are the favorites on the moneyline with -440. This means a $100 bet on the Pacers to win pays $350. And that you would have to wager $440 on the Cavs to win $100. This ratio holds true for a wager of any amount. A $10 bet on the Pacers pays $35 while a $10 bet on the Cavs pays $2.27. So on and so forth.

The Point Spread

The most common and popular of sports bets is the point spread. As simply as we can put it, the point spread is the number the oddsmakers use to handicap the favorites to even-up the final score of the game. This in turn sparks more interest, which leads to more bets, which brings in more money. Again, the Pacers/Cavs line.

• Indiana Pacers +8 -110
• Cleveland Cavaliers -8 -110

First the -8. As noted, the Cavs are the favorites so they are giving points (8) to even up the final score. In order for the Cavs to win the bet and cover the point spread, they’d have to win by nine or more. If the Pacers stay within seven points, the Cavs fail to cover the eight points and lose the bet. If the Cavs win by eight points, it’s a “push” or a tie and all bets are returned.

Now the (-110). This number is the odds a bet on the point spread will pay out. Just like on the moneyline, since the Cavs are the favorites, you’ll have to bet $110 to win $100. You’ll notice a favorite covering the spread pays out much better than a favorite on the moneyline. You’ll also notice the favorite and the underdog have the same payouts with the point spread. This is what makes playing the point spread so popular.

Some teams are evenly matched and there isn’t a point spread at all. This would be a “pick’em” or “pk” on the big board. And the odds on the moneyline would match as well. These are “EVEN” odds. When playing the point spread the payout number will vary. -110 is about industry standard but you’ll notice -105’s, -115’s, and even as high as -125’s on point spread bets at times. More on this later but it is important to note these variations.

Totals

The totals is a bet on the total number of points (or runs or goals) scored in the game. The oddsmakers will set the number and bets are placed on whether or not the total score is OVER or UNDER that number. The number appears on the big board next to the underdog like so:

• Indiana Pacers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers 212.5 -110

The number set for this game is 212.5. Since the .5 has eliminated the chance of a push, an OVER bet will win if the total score is 213 or higher. An UNDER bet pays if the total score is 212 or lower. And, again, the payout for a win is -110.

Totals bets are seen as something of a sucker’s bet. Despite your opinion on the matter, we have to admit they are a little strange. You are wagering on what the total score will be. Not picking a winner. Picking a score.

So, it’s different than a normal who’s-going-to-win-the-game-and-by
-how-much kind of bet. However, this number is providing the gambler more information about how the oddsmakers feel about the game and that is important when making a smart bet.

Placing a Wager

The other set of numbers you will see on the big board are the rotation numbers. These are numbers assigned to teams so the sports book can easily distinguish one for the other. They appear to the left of the teams in a game on the big board as such:

• 101 Indiana Pacers +350 212.5
• 102 Cleveland Cavaliers -440 -8(-110)

These numbers simply help the sports book as well as the gambler keep track of the bet. Listed on the big board are dozens of sports, hundreds of teams and thousands of bets that can be played. It’s a good idea to keep them as organized as possible. There are at least six professional teams in New York by itself after all. Like the horses’ numbers at the track, rotation numbers just cut down on the confusion when placing a bet.

“Give me New York -220 on the moneyline for $50.”
“Which New York, dumb-dumb…”
“Sorry, 303. I’m an idiot”
“Yes, you are.”

Don’t be that guy. This is the proper way to lay a bet in Vegas. Rotation Number, Type of Bet, Amount of Wager. Everyone appreciates a well placed bet and no one likes that guy…

Reading the Big Board

Now that we know how to read Vegas Odds, we need to learn what the Vegas odds mean… That is, what are these numbers telling us in the context of the game we want to wager on. We have studied the teams, we know the rosters. What can the lines tell us to make our bet a smart bet?

Once a game is scheduled and it’s odds are posted, the bets are going to start coming in. Now, it’s in the sports book’s best interest to keep the bets as even as possible. This is why oddsmakers give you a pay out at -110.

Understanding the Vig or Juice

That’s a $110 dollar bet to win $100. Take the favorite and give the points. You’re paid out at -110. Take the underdog and get the points. You’re paid out at -110. OVER or UNDER the same. -110. This is the industry standard and goes back to the mob-only days of oddsmaking.

Where does that $10 bucks go you ask? Well, that $10 bucks on a $100 bet is the “vig” or “juice.” It’s the price for laying a bet. A little bit extra the oddsmaker gets to keep for fronting the wager.

Keeping the bets as even as they can on either side insures their money. Collect from the losers and short change the winners. It’s a brilliant business model only the mob could come up with and only Vegas would still employ.

Now, most betting lines will just give it to you straight. The favorite pays this much, you get this many points, the total is this. What we are looking for are the variations. We can ascertain plenty of valuable intel from these variations.

Why is the payout on this game -115? And why is the payout on this game EVEN? Why is the moneyline different from yesterday? And why is the point spread moving up? The devil is in the details.

Watch As The Point Spreads Move

The most obvious variation is the movement of the point spread. As the bets start coming in, the oddsmakers track which team is receiving most of the betting action. The point spread will move because the oddsmakers will change the line to try to even up the sides. Remember, they want just as many people on one side of a bet as on the other.

More people are taking the Cavs giving the eight points? Raise the point spread to nine. All of a sudden, more bets will come in for the Pacers getting the nine points. Oddsmakers can do the same with the moneyline as well as the total line. And for the same reasons.

But what does this information tell us? The line has moved up even more and now the Cavs are -10 point favorites. This means, despite the oddsmakers best efforts, more wagers have been placed on the Cavs than on the Pacers.

Smart Bettors Know Where The Action Is

Knowing where the money is can help you make a smart bet. One theory is the The-House-Always-Wins-Rule. Basically, this theory suggests you bet against everyone else and with the house because the house always wins. If more people take the favorite, the points they are giving went up and you should take the underdog.

If more people are picking the underdog, the points they are receiving have gone down and you take the favorite. It makes sense in theory but maybe not in practice. Remember, the oddsmakers want the sides to be even.

They aren’t in the business of placing their own opposing bets. What is important is knowing how everyone else is betting and the knowledge that a large segment of the gambling population shares your opinion.

Or if you think the gambling population is foolish, well, you know what to do. However you feel, keep an eye on how the line moves. It may help you make a bet you wouldn’t have or avoid a bet you were going to make.

A Close Look at the Payouts

The payouts on the point spread can vary as well. That standard -110 will turn into -105’s or EVEN’s. Or go the other way to -115’s, -120’s, or -125’s. What is the reason for these variations? It’s a lot like moving the point spread.

The oddsmakers want to even up the bet. There’s only so many points a bookie is going to give. Offering a little more here or a little less there on the payout may be enough to influence the betting action. However, you can tell where the oddsmakers are hedging with these numbers.

Vegas Betting Odds Explained

If the payout gets better than -110, the oddsmakers have the sides even up, love the point spread and want you to bet it and lose. If the payout gets worse than -110, the oddsmakers know they have a bad number and want to cut their losses.

Vegas Wants You To Gamble – Be Smart

Explain Las Vegas Betting Odds

Making smart bets is the name of the game. The only way to make smart bets is to gather as much information as possible and master how to read Vegas Odds. Get to know every bet as well as you know every team. Get to know all the odds as well as you know every player.

Otherwise, you’re just playing the lotto. Remember, Vegas wants you to gamble. It’s going to give you all the information it can in order to gamble. It’s up to you to use it.

Test your knowledge on some small starter bets. We’d recommend any of the following for players outside Las Vegas but there are plenty of good options for US players (just make sure it’s not illegal in your state):

1. Ufc 226 Predictions 2019
2. Ufc 226 Predictions Free
3. Ufc 226 Wiki
4. Ufc 226 Odds
5. Ufc 226 Predictions Reddit

Updated UFC Picks and Predictions for Betting all MMA events.

UFC predictions and UFC picks for tonight’s event. Get UFC betting advice from expert UFC handicappers for every mixed martial arts event. Scroll down to get tonight’s UFC picks and predictions for the entire card. There’s a new sport of kings and the popularity of mixed martial arts is largely being driven by UFC. Two champions collide on July 8 as Light Heavyweight Champion Daniel Cormier makes the move up to face Heavyweight Champion Stipe Miocic. Who holds value in the Miocic vs. Read this article to find out. UFC 226 STAFF PREDICTIONS. Gokhan Saki (1-1) vs. Khalil Rountree Jr. (6-2) Fernando Quiles Jr: Saki struggled in his UFC debut despite earning a first-round knockout win. He blames it on ring rust. Full UFC 226 Betting Odds. UFC 226 Odds as of July 3 and can be found at WagerWeb: Stipe Miocic -265; Daniel Cormier +205; Max Holloway -150; Brian Ortega +120; Francis Ngannou -380; Derrick Lewis +290; Michael Chiesa -160; Anthony Pettis +130; Gokhan Saki -160; Khalil Rountree Jr. +130; Uriah Hall +325; Paulo Costa -450; Paul Felder -150; Mike Perry +120; Raphael Assuncao -175.

Petr Yan vs Aljamain Sterling Pick, 3/6/2021 Predictions UFC 259 Odds
by Guy Bruhn - 3/2/2021

How to Watch UFC 259: BLACHOWICZ VS ADESANYA Find start times and stream links for UFC 259: BLACHOWICZ VS ADESANYA live March 6, 2021.

Petr Yan vs Aljamain Sterling will be held at UFC 259 on Saturday, March 6, 2021. The match is hosted at UFC Apex in Las Vegas, NV at 10:00 PM EST. We have included an expert pick for todays fight against the spread with tips and predictions.

Amanda Nunes vs Megan Anderson Pick, 3/6/2021 Predictions UFC 259 Odds
by Guy Bruhn - 3/2/2021

Amanda Nunes vs Megan Anderson should be a fun fight to watch at UFC 259 on Saturday, March 6, 2021. The event takes place at UFC Apex in Las Vegas, NV at 10:00 PM EST. This fight report includes odds, betting trends and a free pick against the spread.

Uros Medic vs Aalon Cruz Pick, 3/6/2021 Predictions UFC 259 Odds
by Josh Schonwald - 3/2/2021

Uros Medic vs Aalon Cruz should be a fun bout to watch at UFC 259 on Saturday, March 6, 2021. The event takes place at UFC Apex in Las Vegas, NV at 10:00 PM EST. This fight report has a UFC pick, betting odds, and trends for tonights key fight.

Thiago Santos vs Aleksandar Rakic Pick, 3/6/2021 Predictions UFC 259 Odds
by Tony Sink - 3/2/2021

Thiago Santos vs Aleksandar Rakic will be held at UFC 259 on Saturday, March 6, 2021. The event will be held at UFC Apex in Las Vegas, NV at 10:00 PM EST. This fight report includes odds, betting trends and a free pick against the spread.

Kennedy Nzechukwu vs Carlos Ulberg Pick, 3/6/2021 Predictions UFC 259 Odds
by Tony Sink - 3/2/2021

Kennedy Nzechukwu vs Carlos Ulberg should be a fun fight to watch at UFC 259 on Saturday, March 6, 2021. The event will be held at UFC Apex in Las Vegas, NV at 10:00 PM EST. This fight report has Vegas lines and an expert UFC pick for your daily winner.

Livinha Souza vs Amanda Lemos Pick, 3/6/2021 Predictions UFC 259 Odds
by Josh Schonwald - 3/2/2021

Livinha Souza vs Amanda Lemos will be a good bout to keep your eye on at UFC 259 on Saturday, March 6, 2021. The match is hosted at UFC Apex in Las Vegas, NV at 10:00 PM EST. We have included an expert pick for todays fight against the spread with tips and predictions.

Jan Blachowicz vs Israel Adesanya Pick, 3/6/2021 Predictions UFC 259 Odds
by Tony Sink - 3/2/2021

Jan Blachowicz vs Israel Adesanya is a fight to watch at UFC 259 on Saturday, March 6, 2021. The match takes place at UFC Apex in Las Vegas, NV at 10:00 PM EST. This report includes betting odds and our expert UFC picks for todays fight.

Dominick Cruz vs Casey Kenney Pick, 3/6/2021 Predictions UFC 259 Odds
by Guy Bruhn - 3/2/2021

Dominick Cruz vs Casey Kenney is a bout to watch at UFC 259 on Saturday, March 6, 2021. The match takes place at UFC Apex in Las Vegas, NV at 10:00 PM EST. This fight report has Vegas lines and an expert UFC pick for your daily winner.

Mario Bautista vs Trevin Jones Pick, 3/6/2021 Predictions UFC 259 Odds
by Tony Sink - 3/2/2021

Mario Bautista vs Trevin Jones will be held at UFC 259 on Saturday, March 6, 2021. The event is hosted at UFC Apex in Las Vegas, NV at 10:00 PM EST. This fight report includes odds, betting trends and a free pick against the spread.

Islam Makhachev vs Drew Dober Pick, 3/6/2021 Predictions UFC 259 Odds
by Josh Schonwald - 3/2/2021

Islam Makhachev vs Drew Dober will be a good bout to keep your eye on at UFC 259 on Saturday, March 6, 2021. The match takes place at UFC Apex in Las Vegas, NV at 10:00 PM EST. This fight report has Vegas lines and an expert UFC pick for your daily winner.

Tim Elliott vs Jordan Espinosa Pick, 3/6/2021 Predictions UFC 259 Odds
by Josh Schonwald - 3/2/2021

Ufc 226 Predictions 2019

Tim Elliott vs Jordan Espinosa is a bout to watch at UFC 259 on Saturday, March 6, 2021. The match is hosted at UFC Apex in Las Vegas, NV at 10:00 PM EST. This fight report has Vegas lines and an expert UFC pick for your daily winner.

Song Yadong vs Kyler Phillips Pick, 3/6/2021 Predictions UFC 259 Odds
by Josh Schonwald - 3/2/2021

Song Yadong vs Kyler Phillips is a fight to watch at UFC 259 on Saturday, March 6, 2021. The match takes place at UFC Apex in Las Vegas, NV at 10:00 PM EST. We have included an expert pick for todays fight against the spread with tips and predictions.

Rogerio Bontorin vs Kai Kara-France Pick, 3/6/2021 Predictions UFC 259 Odds
by Guy Bruhn - 3/2/2021

Rogerio Bontorin vs Kai Kara-France should be a fun fight to watch at UFC 259 on Saturday, March 6, 2021. The match is hosted at UFC Apex in Las Vegas, NV at 10:00 PM EST. This fight report has Vegas lines and an expert UFC pick for your daily winner.

Sean Brady vs Jake Matthews Pick, 3/6/2021 Predictions UFC 259 Odds
by Guy Bruhn - 3/2/2021

Sean Brady vs Jake Matthews will be a good fight to keep your eye on at UFC 259 on Saturday, March 6, 2021. The event is hosted at UFC Apex in Las Vegas, NV at 10:00 PM EST. This fight report has a UFC pick, betting odds, and trends for tonights key fight.

Joseph Benavidez vs Askar Askarov Pick, 3/6/2021 Predictions UFC 259 Odds
by Tony Sink - 3/2/2021

Joseph Benavidez vs Askar Askarov should be a fun bout to watch at UFC 259 on Saturday, March 6, 2021. The match will be held at UFC Apex in Las Vegas, NV at 10:00 PM EST. This fight report has a UFC pick, betting odds, and trends for tonights key fight.

Jairzinho Rozenstruik vs Ciryl Gane Pick, 2/27/2021 Predictions UFC Vegas 20 Odds
by Tony Sink - 2/25/2021

Jairzinho Rozenstruik vs Ciryl Gane is a fight to watch at UFC Vegas 20 on Saturday, February 27, 2021. The match is hosted at UFC Apex in Las Vegas, NV at 10:00 PM EST. This fight report has Vegas lines and an expert UFC pick for your daily winner.

Alex Caceres vs Kevin Croom Pick, 2/27/2021 Predictions UFC Vegas 20 Odds
by Tony Sink - 2/25/2021

Alex Caceres vs Kevin Croom is a fight to watch at UFC Vegas 20 on Saturday, February 27, 2021. The match will be held at UFC Apex in Las Vegas, NV at 10:00 PM EST. This fight report has a UFC pick, betting odds, and trends for tonights key fight.

Pedro Munhoz vs Jimmie Rivera Pick, 2/27/2021 Predictions UFC Vegas 20 Odds
by Josh Schonwald - 2/25/2021

Pedro Munhoz vs Jimmie Rivera will take place at UFC Vegas 20 on Saturday, February 27, 2021. The event takes place at UFC Apex in Las Vegas, NV at 10:00 PM EST. This fight report includes odds, betting trends and a free pick against the spread.

Nikita Krylov vs Magomed Ankalaev Pick, 2/27/2021 Predictions UFC Vegas 20 Odds
by Guy Bruhn - 2/25/2021

Nikita Krylov vs Magomed Ankalaev will be a good bout to keep your eye on at UFC Vegas 20 on Saturday, February 27, 2021. The match takes place at UFC Apex in Las Vegas, NV at 10:00 PM EST. This report includes betting odds and our expert UFC picks for todays fight.

Alex Oliveira vs Ramazan Kuramagomedov Pick, 2/27/2021 Predictions UFC Vegas 20 Odds
by Josh Schonwald - 2/25/2021

Alex Oliveira vs Ramazan Kuramagomedov will take place at UFC Vegas 20 on Saturday, February 27, 2021. The event is hosted at UFC Apex in Las Vegas, NV at 10:00 PM EST. This fight report has a UFC pick, betting odds, and trends for tonights key fight.

Daily Free Picks Menu
Videos
NFL Picks
College Football Picks
NBA Picks
College Basketball Picks
MLB Picks
NHL Picks
UFC Picks
Golf Picks
NASCAR Picks
WNBA Picks
Soccer Picks
CFL Picks
Tennis Picks
Free Email Picks
All Free Sports Picks

July 3-7 is International Fight Week in Las Vegas, and it all builds up to an explosive superfight.

Heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic and light heavyweight champ Daniel Cormier headline UFC 226 at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, July 7, with a clash for Miocic's belt.

The co-main event was to be a title fight in which Max Holloway defended at featherweight against unbeaten Brian Ortega, but Holloway was pulled from the card on Wednesday after being hospitalized with concussion-like symptoms.

The new co-main is a collision of heavyweights Francis Ngannou and Derrick Lewis.

Also on the card: Michael Chiesa taking on former lightweight champ Anthony Pettis; and Gokhan Saki and Khalil Rountree Jr. meeting at light heavyweight.

Who will rule the night?

Top stories

• UFC 226 Cheat Sheet: Stipe Miocic vs. Daniel Cormier

• Scouting Report: Top MMA trainers break down Miocic vs. Cormier

• How to bet UFC 226, including Miocic vs. Cormier

• The stats that will define Miocic vs. Cormier

• Cormier takes scary fall at presser, says he's not concerned

• Daniel Cormier wants to rewrite history

• Machine Gun Kelly, Stipe Miocic discuss unique friendship ahead of UFC 226

• How superfights changed the MMA landscape

Ufc 226 Predictions Free

• Max Holloway withdraws from UFC 226 with concussion-like symptoms

• Francis Ngannou aims for redemption following title fight loss

• Daniel Cormier to move up in weight for UFC 226 heavyweight title bout vs. Stipe Miocic

• Max Holloway to defend featherweight title against Brian Ortega at UFC 226

Ufc 226 Wiki

• Francis Ngannou vs. Derrick Lewis in the works for UFC 226

Ufc 226 Odds

• UFC rebooks Anthony Pettis vs. Michael Chiesa for July 7 in Las Vegas

Ufc 226 Predictions Reddit

• Welterweights Mike Perry and Yancy Medeiros to meet at UFC 226