When it comes to betting on football, rugby, cricket, AFL and more, sportsbet is one of Australia’s biggest bookmakers. It has a big presence online and on TikTok, making it hard to miss. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean their odds are the best – in fact they’re often amongst the worst. And it certainly doesn’t mean they treat punters well, especially their younger players – with many punters preferring other Aussie bookmakers like PlayUp, BlueBet or Neds.
Whether you’re new to betting or a seasoned pro, understanding the basics of odds is an important first step in becoming a successful bettor. It’s not complicated and, thankfully, most online sportsbooks make it easy to do the math. The odds you see on your chosen event are calculated by putting the amount that needs to be paid out to cover all bettors against the amount of money that has already been placed. This is known as the “plus/minus” and it’s how you can determine your potential winnings.
Odds vary depending on the sport and country, but you will usually find them listed as a team, spread, moneyline or total. Typically American odds are written in terms of 100 and will include the minus or plus signs, but some sites will also use a decimal system. You should always be sure to check the odds you are getting before you place a bet, as they can change from moment to moment.
One of the best ways to understand how odds work is by using a calculator. Most online sportsbooks will have a built-in calculator, so you can easily calculate your potential profits. To do this, simply input your stake and the odds of the outcome you fancy. For example, if you fancy the Browns to beat the Patriots with a spread of +180, you will need to divide the odds (180) by 100 and then multiply them by your stake (30). This will give you your potential profit of $54.
In racing, Sportsbet is notorious for their poor pricing. They have a huge range of markets but they often aren’t competitively priced, especially when compared to Neds and other big corporate bookmakers. Their Same Game/Race Multi Builder function is great, but the extra features they offer (live streaming, tips, speed maps etc) don’t make up for it when the odds aren’t up to scratch.
When it comes to AFL and NRL, Sportsbet has made a name for itself with their same-game multis. However, it’s not their only niche – they have also become popular with AFL and NRL markets that involve predicting try scorers or goal kickers. This is a tricky market because the AFL and NRL only provide a limited number of players for this type of bet, but Sportsbet often offers terrible odds. Who should I bet with instead?