Betting odds look different on every Asian sportsbook. One site shows 2.50, another 1.50, a third -0.67, and all three can mean exactly the same price. If you switch between sites, or between formats on the same site, misreading the number is the easiest way to give away value.
This guide explains the six betting odds formats you will meet: decimal, Hong Kong, Malay, Indonesian, fractional and American. It shows how to read each one, how to convert between them, and what odds tell you about probability and the bookmaker’s margin. A conversion table sits in the middle for quick reference.
In this guide
Key takeaways
- Decimal odds show your total return per 1 staked; Hong Kong odds show profit only, so HK equals decimal minus 1.
- Malay and Indonesian odds use plus and minus signs; a negative price tells you how much to stake to win 1 unit.
- Implied probability is 1 divided by the decimal odds; two prices of 1.90 on a two-way market add up to about 105%, the bookmaker’s margin.
What betting odds tell you
Betting odds do two jobs. They tell you how much a winning bet pays, and they show what the bookmaker thinks the chance of each outcome is, plus its margin. Every format below encodes the same two pieces of information in a different way.
Decimal odds
Decimal odds show your total return for every 1 staked, including the stake. A S$10 bet at 2.50 returns S$25: S$15 profit plus your S$10 back. Decimal is the simplest format to compare, and the one we recommend as a default.
Hong Kong odds
Hong Kong odds show profit only, without the stake. HK 1.50 means you win 1.50 for every 1 staked, which is the same as decimal 2.50. To convert, subtract 1 from the decimal price.
Malay odds
Malay odds run between -1 and +1 and use a sign to show which way the price works:
- Positive (e.g. 0.80): your profit per 1 staked. Malay 0.80 equals decimal 1.80.
- Negative (e.g. -0.67): what you stake to win 1. At -0.67 you risk 0.67 to win 1, which equals decimal 2.50.
Malay odds are common on Asian handicap and over under markets, where prices sit close to even money.
Indonesian odds
Indonesian odds work like American odds divided by 100:
- Positive (e.g. +1.50): profit per 1 staked, the same as Hong Kong 1.50 and decimal 2.50.
- Negative (e.g. -1.25): what you stake to win 1. At -1.25 you risk 1.25 to win 1, which equals decimal 1.80.
Fractional and American odds
Fractional odds, common in the UK, show profit over stake: 3/2 means 3 profit for every 2 staked, the same as decimal 2.50. American odds show +150 for a 150 profit on a 100 stake (decimal 2.50) and -200 for a stake of 200 to win 100 (decimal 1.50). You will rarely see either on Asian books, but they appear on international sites.
Betting odds conversion table
| Decimal | Hong Kong | Malay | Indonesian | Fractional | American |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.50 | 0.50 | 0.50 | -2.00 | 1/2 | -200 |
| 1.80 | 0.80 | 0.80 | -1.25 | 4/5 | -125 |
| 1.90 | 0.90 | 0.90 | -1.11 | 9/10 | -111 |
| 2.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | +1.00 | 1/1 | +100 |
| 2.50 | 1.50 | -0.67 | +1.50 | 3/2 | +150 |
| 3.00 | 2.00 | -0.50 | +2.00 | 2/1 | +200 |
Malay and Indonesian figures are rounded to two decimals.
How to convert betting odds
- Decimal to Hong Kong: subtract 1.
- Hong Kong to Malay: if HK is 1 or less, Malay is the same number; if HK is above 1, Malay is -1 divided by HK.
- Hong Kong to Indonesian: if HK is 1 or more, Indonesian is +HK; if HK is below 1, Indonesian is -1 divided by HK.
- Decimal to American: above 2.00, (decimal – 1) x 100 with a plus sign; below 2.00, -100 divided by (decimal – 1).
Implied probability
Implied probability is the chance of an outcome that a price suggests. For decimal odds, it is 1 divided by the odds. A price of 2.50 implies 40%; 1.90 implies about 52.6%.
If you think the real chance is higher than the implied probability, the price has value. If you think it is lower, it does not, no matter how attractive the payout looks.
The bookmaker’s margin
Add up the implied probabilities on every outcome of a market and the total is more than 100%. The extra is the bookmaker’s margin. On a two-way Asian handicap priced 1.90 and 1.90, each side implies about 52.6%, so the total is about 105.3% and the margin about 5.3%.
Lower margins mean better prices for you. That is why comparing the same market at more than one book pays over time.
Which betting odds format should you use?
Use the format you can read fastest without mistakes. Decimal is the easiest to compare and to multiply in a parlay. Malay or Hong Kong suit bettors who mostly play handicaps and totals at Asian books. Whatever you choose, set it once in your account and keep it the same at every site.
Comparing betting odds across sites
Jackpot88 runs Saba Sports, FB Sports and IM Sports on one account, Dafabet runs Sports and Dafa Sports, and 1xBet lists more than 90 sports. A difference of 1.90 versus 1.95 on the same line returns about 5 more per 100 staked on every winner.
Common odds mistakes
- Reading a negative Malay price as a loss rather than a stake.
- Comparing Hong Kong odds at one site with decimal odds at another.
- Multiplying Hong Kong odds in a parlay instead of decimal odds.
- Judging a bet by its payout rather than its implied probability.
Betting odds: frequently asked questions
What do decimal odds of 2.50 mean?
A winning 1 stake returns 2.50 in total: 1.50 profit plus the stake.
What is the difference between Hong Kong and decimal odds?
Hong Kong odds exclude the stake. HK 1.50 equals decimal 2.50.
What does a negative Malay price mean?
It is what you stake to win 1. At -0.67 you risk 0.67 to win 1.
How do I convert Indonesian odds to decimal?
For a positive price, add 1: +1.50 is 2.50. For a negative price, divide 1 by the number and add 1: -1.25 is 1.80.
What is implied probability?
The chance a price suggests: 1 divided by the decimal odds. 2.00 implies 50%.
Which odds format is best?
The one you read fastest without mistakes. Decimal is easiest to compare and to use in parlays.
Handicap betting makes football cleaner, not safer. Set a budget before the weekend starts and keep stakes to a small share of it. Our responsible gambling guide lists free, confidential help in each country we cover.
Sources
- Gembet Help Centre: How do different bet types work?. intercom.help
- Gembet Help Centre: How do bet payouts work?. intercom.help