How Do Tennis Odds Work

Regarding sports betting, tennis is behind only football in popularity due to its fast-paced action and fluctuating odds. Plenty of major and minor events take place weekly across the globe, and bets can be placed on everything from Wimbledon and the French Open to the Laver Cup and Olympics.

But how do tennis odds work? Don’t worry, as we will explain everything on this page. This will include where to find the best prices and how to calculate potential profits. Which formats can you view odds in, and how does the implied probability work? Let’s take a closer look.

Tennis Betting Odds Explained: True vs Implied Prices

There are two possible outcomes in tennis: player A wins or player B wins. As such, the chances of placing a winning bet are, in theory, 50%. This is not the case, though. For example, should world no.1 Novak Djokovic take a 58th-ranked opponent, Djokovic would be the overwhelming favourite.

Therefore, betting odds for tennis must represent the probability of such an outcome. Implied odds for the no.1 seed taking on a qualifier could be as low as 1/100. With true odds, bookies do not include any margin. This is in contrast to implied odds, where a house edge is included. A margin exists to give bookies an edge over bettors.

How to Read Tennis Odds

Each price made available to bettors shows how likely the bookmaker in question believes the potential outcome will occur. The lower the odds, the greater the likelihood. If the odds are high, it has been deemed unlikely by the bookie.

Let’s suggest that you bet $10 on Ben Shelton to beat Tommy Paul at odds of 1.90 (10/11). You would receive a total of $19, $9 of which would be profit.

Also, no tennis betting odds explained guide would be complete without looking at some alternative markets. Using total games as an example, you could bet on there being over 39.5 games between Sebastian Korda and Andrey Rublev. At odds of 1.83 (5/6), a $10 winning bet would result in total returns of $18.33.

Which Sites Offer the Best Betting Odds for Tennis?

The following bookies offer top tennis betting odds. When ranking tennis betting sites, we consider available markets, such as match winner, totals, handicaps and outrights. There should also be attractive in-play prices. This makes it possible for punters to find value, even though odds will be lower than in pre-match markets.

Should I Use a Tennis Odds Calculator?

You may be considering working out the potential returns of tennis bets for yourself. However, this is a waste of your time and effort, particularly if you are looking to place accumulators. Instead, use a tennis odds calculator.

Such a tool will instantly calculate how much you can win. Just enter the odds on offer for each selection, along with your stake. The best online bookies will do the hard work for you, calculating winnings before you have even confirmed your bet.

How Many Price Formats Exist?

You can view tennis betting odds in a handful of formats. Which format you choose will depend on your location and personal preferences. Below, we have outlined the different odds types found online:

Decimal Odds

Simple to calculate, the decimal number shows how much you will earn from a $/£1 bet. For example, a $/£1 bet on Emma Raducanu to beat Coco Gauff at odds of 2.00 would result in total returns of $/£2. $/£1 in profit would be made.

Fractional Odds

Most common in the UK, fractional odds make it easy to calculate how much you would make from your stake. The figure on the left shows how much you will earn. The number to the right is how much you will need to stake. For example, you could back Jannik Sinner to beat Taylor Fritz at 2/3. A bet of $/£5 would result in total returns of $/£7, $/£2 in profit.

American Odds

With American odds, prices are displayed using positive and negative numbers. The outsider is given a +, while the favourite comes with a -. For example, you may back Casper Ruud to beat Cameron Norrie at -275. A bet of $/£10 would result in $/£13.64 in returns, a profit of $/£3.64.

Asian Odds

There are a host of Asian-specific odds. Indonesian, Hong Kong and Malay are among the most popular. Keep in mind that Malay odds use a number no greater than 1. For example, a price of 0.5000 would come with a $0.50 profit for each $1 bet.

Can I Use Tennis Odds Comparison Sites

Online bookies are often separated by the betting odds for tennis that they offer. We have outlined why understanding how prices work is important. However, it is not the only factor to consider.

This is where odds comparison sites come in handy. Here, you can easily view the prices offered by bookies in a particular market. The following are the best bookies regarding their tennis odds: