Have you ever opened a betting app, seen a bunch of numbers like 1.80, +150, or 3/2, and thought, “What does all this even mean?” Don’t worry—you’re not alone.
Whether you’re a complete beginner or just dipping your toes into tennis betting, understanding odds is one of the first and most important steps. Odds tell you two things:
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How likely something is to happen, and
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How much money you can win if your bet is right.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through tennis betting odds in the simplest way possible—no confusing jargon, no math headaches. Just real, easy-to-understand info that will help you bet smarter, not harder.
What Are Tennis Betting Odds?
Let’s start with the basics.
Odds are like a price tag on a bet. Just like a price tag tells you how much an item costs, odds tell you how much you’ll win if you place a bet and get it right.
But there’s more to it. Odds also reflect the probability of an outcome—basically, how likely the sportsbook thinks something is to happen.
For example:
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If a player is a big favorite to win, the odds will be lower (meaning you’ll win less money).
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If a player is a risky underdog, the odds will be higher (meaning you’ll win more money if they pull off an upset).
Smart bettors don’t just look at who’s likely to win—they look for value in the odds. That’s what we’ll help you understand.
The 3 Main Types of Betting Odds (Explained Simply)
Tennis odds come in three main formats, depending on where you live or which site you’re using:
1. Decimal Odds (Most Common Worldwide)
Decimal odds are the easiest to understand and are super popular in Europe, Canada, and Australia.
Here’s how they work:
Let’s say you bet $10 on a player with odds of 2.00.
You just multiply your bet by the odds:
$10 x 2.00 = $20 total return
That includes your original $10 back, plus $10 in profit.
If the odds were 1.50, your return would be:
$10 x 1.50 = $15 total return ($5 profit).
So basically, the higher the number, the bigger your potential win.
➡️ Why people like decimal odds:
They’re clean, easy to calculate, and beginner-friendly.
2. Fractional Odds (Used in the UK)
If you’ve ever seen odds written like 5/1 or 2/3, that’s called fractional odds—common in the UK and Ireland.
Here’s a quick breakdown:
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5/1 (read “five to one”) means: for every $1 you bet, you’ll win $5 profit (plus your $1 back).
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2/3 means: you need to bet $3 to win $2 profit.
It can be confusing at first, but just remember:
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The first number = what you win
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The second number = what you bet
➡️ Pro tip: If the first number is bigger (like 10/1), the player is an underdog. If it’s smaller (like 1/4), they’re a favorite.
3. American Odds (Used in the U.S.)
American odds look a little different—usually with a plus (+) or minus (-) sign.
Let’s break it down:
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+150: You win $150 profit for every $100 you bet (underdog).
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-200: You need to bet $200 to win $100 profit (favorite).
It’s like this:
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Plus odds = more risk, more reward.
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Minus odds = safer bet, smaller reward.
➡️ Quick tip: Most betting sites let you switch between formats in your account settings. So pick the one that’s easiest for you!
How to Read Tennis Odds in Real Match Examples
Now that you know the basic types of odds, let’s put that knowledge into action.
Let’s say you’re looking at an upcoming match between Carlos Alcaraz and Casper Ruud. The odds on your betting site look like this:
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Carlos Alcaraz: 1.50 (decimal)
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Casper Ruud: 2.80 (decimal)
So, what do these odds tell us?
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The lower odds (1.50) mean Alcaraz is the favorite to win.
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The higher odds (2.80) mean Ruud is the underdog.
If you bet $10 on Alcaraz:
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You’d get $15 back if he wins ($10 x 1.50 = $15 total).
If you bet $10 on Ruud:
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You’d get $28 back if he pulls off the upset ($10 x 2.80 = $28 total).
Reading Between the Lines
Bookmakers don’t just pull these numbers out of thin air. Odds are based on things like:
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Player rankings
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Head-to-head records
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Surface preference (like clay vs hard court)
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Recent form and injuries
But here’s where smart betting starts to kick in: odds don’t always match reality perfectly.
Sometimes a player might be underestimated, or the public might be betting heavily on a big name, pushing their odds lower than they should be.
That’s where you, as a sharp bettor, can find value—a situation where the odds pay out more than the real risk suggests.
Understanding Implied Probability
Here’s a fun trick that will make you a better bettor: convert odds into probability.
Why? Because it helps you see what the bookmaker really thinks the chances are.
Let’s go back to Alcaraz at 1.50 odds. To find the implied probability:
Implied Probability = 1 / Decimal Odds
So:
1 / 1.50 = 0.666 = 66.6% chance
That means the bookmaker believes Alcaraz has about a 66% chance to win.
Now, if you believe his true chance is higher (say, 80%), then that could be a smart bet.
Same goes for underdogs—if you think a +250 underdog actually has a better shot than the odds suggest, there might be value.
Why Odds Matter When Choosing a Betting Site
Not all sportsbooks offer the same odds. Some give better payouts than others.
For example, one site might list Ruud at 2.80, while another gives 3.10.
That small difference might not seem like much, but over time, it adds up—especially if you bet often.
That’s why many experienced bettors use a few different betting sites to shop for the best odds before placing their bets.
If you’re curious where to find consistently competitive odds, check out our guide to the Best Tennis Betting Sites — we compare odds quality, welcome bonuses, and more.
Finding Value: Why Smart Bettors Don’t Just Pick Winners
A big rookie mistake in tennis betting? Only betting on who you think will win.
Smart bettors go one step further — they look for value bets.
What’s a Value Bet?
A value bet happens when the odds for a player are higher than they should be, based on your own research or judgment.
Let’s break it down with a quick example:
You’re watching a match where Jannik Sinner is listed at 2.50 odds (implied probability of 40%).
But you’ve done your homework. You know:
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He dominates on this surface.
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He’s beaten the opponent the last 3 times.
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The opponent is dealing with an injury.
You believe Sinner actually has a 60% chance of winning — not 40%.
This is what we call positive expected value. Over the long run, betting on these kinds of opportunities can lead to steady profits, even if you don’t win every time.
It’s not about being right every time — it’s about being right more often than the odds expect.
Trust Your Eyes… But Do the Math Too
Value betting takes time to master. You’ll need to:
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Watch matches
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Follow stats and news
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Compare odds across different sites
But once you get the hang of spotting value, tennis betting becomes less about guessing, and more about playing the percentages.
Live Betting Odds: How They Shift in Real Time
Tennis is one of the most exciting sports to bet live, especially with its back-and-forth nature.
But here’s the catch: live odds change fast — sometimes within seconds.
How It Works:
Let’s say a match just started. Odds are pretty even.
Then one player breaks serve.
Suddenly, the odds adjust:
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The player who broke serve now has lower odds (favorite).
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The opponent’s odds get longer (underdog).
If you’re quick, you can catch a great betting opportunity — for example, betting on a strong player who just lost a set but tends to come back strong.
Many betting sites offer cash-out options during live betting. This means you can lock in a profit (or limit a loss) before the match ends, depending on how things are going.
That’s why it’s so important to use sites with fast, reliable live betting — we go over the top options in our full list of Best Tennis Betting Sites.
What Influences Tennis Odds?
Tennis odds aren’t just based on rankings. Bookmakers take many things into account when setting them, such as:
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Player Form: How well a player has performed in recent matches.
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Head-to-Head History: Some players always seem to struggle against specific opponents.
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Surface: Grass, clay, and hard courts favor different styles.
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Weather Conditions: Wind, heat, and humidity can affect play.
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Injuries and Fitness: A small injury can shift odds a lot.
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Public Betting Trends: If lots of people bet on one player, the odds can shift even if the real chances haven’t changed.
Understanding these factors can help you predict odds movements and get in early when the odds are still favorable.
How to Use Odds to Place Smarter Bets
Now that you know how odds work, here’s how to actually use them when betting on tennis.
1. Compare Odds Across Sites
Not all sportsbooks offer the same odds for the same match. One site might have Novak Djokovic at 1.45, while another lists him at 1.55. That difference may seem small, but over time, picking the better odds can really boost your winnings.
Use comparison tools or manually check a few top tennis betting sites (like Bet365 or Stake.com) before placing your bet. It takes a little extra time but pays off in the long run.
2. Understand Risk vs. Reward
Odds reflect both how likely a player is to win and how much money you’ll get if they do. Lower odds mean higher chance of winning but smaller payout. Higher odds = riskier bet, bigger reward.
There’s no “right” choice here — it depends on your betting strategy. Beginners often feel safer picking favorites, while more experienced bettors hunt for underdog value.
3. Don’t Ignore Small Matches
Big Grand Slam matches get all the attention — but smaller ATP 250, Challenger, and even WTA matches can offer better value. Fewer people bet on them, so the odds don’t always adjust as sharply or quickly.
If you follow up-and-coming players or niche tournaments, you can sometimes spot mispriced odds before the sportsbooks catch on.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Let’s be honest — we’ve all made a few rookie mistakes when starting out. Here are a few to watch for:
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Always betting on your favorite player. Emotion kills logic. Bet with your brain, not your heart.
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Not understanding odds formats. Always double-check what format you’re looking at (especially with American odds).
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Chasing losses. Lost a few bets? Don’t double your next one just to “win it back.”
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Ignoring form and matchups. Rankings don’t tell the full story — dig deeper into recent performance and head-to-head stats.
Final Thoughts: Mastering Odds Is Step One
Tennis betting odds can seem confusing at first, but once you understand how they work, they become one of your best tools for making smart bets.
Odds tell a story — about the match, the players, and how the public sees the game. The more you learn to read that story, the better your chances of finding value and building long-term success.
Next up? Check out our How to Bet on Tennis guide for tips on bet types, strategies, and managing your bankroll. Or if you’re ready to get started, browse our top picks in Best Tennis Betting Sites for 2025.
Happy betting — and remember, smart bets win more in the long run.
