Underdog in Sports Betting – Explained
In sports betting, an underdog is the team or player that is expected to lose a match or event according to bookmakers, experts, or public opinion. Betting odds usually reflect this expectation: the underdog typically offers higher payoutsbecause their chance of winning is considered lower.
How It Works
- Bookmakers assign odds based on the probability of each outcome.
- The favorite is the team/player expected to win; the underdog is expected to lose.
- Betting on the underdog is riskier, but if they win, the payout is larger than betting on the favorite.
Example 1 – Football (Soccer)
- Match: Nigeria vs. Brazil
- Bookmaker Odds:
- Brazil (Favorite) – 1.50
- Nigeria (Underdog) – 6.00
- This means:
- Betting $100 on Brazil would return $150 if they win.
- Betting $100 on Nigeria would return $600 if they win.
Here, Nigeria is the underdog because Brazil is expected to win.
Example 2 – Tennis
- Match: Rafael Nadal vs. Unknown Young Player
- Bookmaker Odds:
- Nadal (Favorite) – 1.20
- Young Player (Underdog) – 5.50
- If you bet $50 on the underdog (young player) and they win, you would earn $50 × 5.50 = $275.
Key Points to Remember
- Underdogs pay more: Higher risk, higher potential reward.
- Upsets happen: Betting on underdogs can be profitable if you research well.
- Psychology: Many bettors prefer favorites because they are “safe,” but smart bettors look for value in underdogs.
- Odds reflect probability: The longer the odds, the less likely the underdog is expected to win—but anything can happen in sports!
Tip
- Look for underdogs with hidden strengths or recent good form—these bets can provide value.
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