In sports betting, seeing odds of +500 indicates a significant underdog. But before you place that wager, you need to know exactly how much money is on the line.
The Quick Answer
A +500 bet pays $500 in profit for every $100 you wager.
If you win, you get your $100 stake back plus the $500 profit, resulting in a Total Payout of $600.
+500 Payout Examples
You don’t have to bet exactly $100. The math scales up or down depending on your stake. Here is a breakdown of payouts for common bet sizes on +500 odds:
| Bet Amount (Stake) | Profit Won | Total Payout (Stake + Profit) |
|---|---|---|
| $10 | $50 | $60 |
| $20 | $100 | $120 |
| $50 | $250 | $300 |
| $100 | $500 | $600 |
Planning a different wager amount? You can calculate the exact return for any sum instantly using our Odds Converter & Payout Calculator.
Understanding the Math: American Odds
The number +500 is in the “American Odds” format (also known as Moneyline odds). This format centers around the number 100.
- Positive (+) numbers show how much you win on a $100 bet.
- Negative (-) numbers show how much you must bet to win $100.
Since +500 is positive, it represents a high-reward scenario. It is equivalent to saying “5 to 1” odds.
The Risk: How likely is a +500 bet to win?
A payout of $500 on a $100 bet sounds amazing, but there is a reason the bookmaker offers such a high reward: the event is unlikely to happen.
To understand the risk, we calculate the Implied Probability:
Probability = 100 / (Odds + 100)
100 / (500 + 100) = 100 / 600 = 16.67%
Mathematically, the bookmaker expects you to win this bet only 16.7% of the time (roughly 1 in 6 times). If you believe the team actually has a 25% chance of winning, that is a great bet. If they only have a 10% chance, it is a bad bet despite the high payout.
Not sure if the risk is worth it? Use our Value Bet Calculator to compare the odds against your estimated probability.
Converting +500 to Decimal and Fractional
If you are betting in Europe or the UK, +500 translates as follows:
- Decimal Odds: 6.00 (Your stake x 6.00 = Total Payout).
- Fractional Odds: 5/1 (You win 5 units for every 1 unit staked).
Summary
Betting on +500 odds is exciting because of the 5x return on your investment. However, always remember that the implied win rate is low (<17%).
To be a profitable bettor at these odds, you must ensure you are getting fair value. Before placing a large wager on an underdog, we recommend calculating your risk of ruin using our Risk Management Tools.