Why Do Bookies Use 100/30 Instead of 10/3 and 6/4 Not 3/2?
If you’ve ever come across odds like 100/30 instead of 10/3, or 6/4 instead of 3/2, and found it puzzling, you’re not alone. The way bookmakers display fractional odds can be confusing at first, particularly for those new to betting.
In this article, we’ll break down how fractional odds work and explore why certain formats are more commonly used by bookies. By the end, you’ll be better equipped to understand these odds and what they mean when placing a bet.
Why 100/30 Not 10/3?
The use of 100/30 rather than 10/3 is mostly down to tradition and the preferences of the bookmakers. In the UK, fractional odds are the norm, indicating the potential winnings compared to the stake. If you placed a bet at odds of 100/30, you’d win £100 for every £30 you wager if the bet is successful. In other words, 100/30 and 10/3 offer the same return—they’re just written in different ways.
Most established bookmakers favour odds like 100/30 because they have long been recognised and used by bettors, making them straightforward to work with for people used to betting. It’s about consistency; regular bettors tend to be more comfortable with these figures and find them easier to calculate, especially when stakes get larger.
Once you get used to seeing odds like this, they quickly make sense. If you’re unsure at first, just remember that using these formats helps keep betting straightforward for those who have been around the industry for a while. As you read on, you’ll see how this approach applies to other odds, too.
Why Are Odds 6/4 Not 3/2?
Just as with 100/30, the preference for 6/4 over 3/2 rests on what’s familiar to most people placing bets. Fractional odds are the standard in the UK and are presented in a way that’s familiar and widely understood by most bettors.
Seeing 6/4 lets bettors quickly see they could win £6 for every £4 wagered if their bet is successful, making the calculation clear and straightforward. This smooths the process for those placing bets and also keeps things consistent at the counter or online, as people are accustomed to this format.
While 3/2 means exactly the same as 6/4, it appears less often because the latter is widely accepted and recognised by seasoned bettors. Knowing this, you’ll start to notice why bookies rarely use alternatives if there’s a familiar option available.
Fractional Odds Explained
Fractional odds are a simple ratio that shows you how much you could potentially win in relation to your stake. As mentioned earlier, this is the most popular way to show betting odds in the UK.
For example:
- 5/1: For every £1 bet, you could win £5 if your bet is successful (total return of £6, including your stake).
- 2/1: For every £1 bet, you could win £2 if your bet is successful (total return of £3).
- 6/4: For every £4 bet, you could win £6 if your bet is successful (giving you £10 back in total).
The first number is always the possible profit, while the second is the amount you would need to wager.
Is 100/30 Good Odds?
Whether odds of 100/30 are considered “good” depends on the event and how you interpret the chances of a particular outcome. If you placed a bet at 100/30, you’d receive £100 in winnings for every £30 staked, giving a total return of £130 if your bet is successful.
These odds might seem worthwhile if you believe the outcome is more likely than the odds suggest. In that case, it might be beneficial to compare them with other bookmakers to see if similar or better prices are available.
As with any bet, it’s worth taking time to consider the details of the event. Outcomes may vary, and it’s important to approach betting with a clear understanding of both the odds and what they represent.
Converting 100/30 Odds in Decimal Format
As mentioned earlier, fractional odds are the norm in the UK, but you might come across decimal odds on some betting platforms. Converting between the two is quite simple.
If you want to convert 100/30 into decimal odds, you start by dividing 100 by 30, which gives you about 3.33. Then, you add 1 to include your original stake, resulting in decimal odds of 4.33.
This means that if you placed a £1 bet, your total return could be £4.33 if the bet is successful.
Decimal odds can make it quicker and more straightforward to compare offers from different bookmakers, as the total return is shown straight away. All you need to do is multiply your stake by the decimal odds to find out what your potential payout would be.
If you find yourself choosing between fractional and decimal formats, remembering this simple conversion can be very beneficial. Understanding both types of odds and how bookmakers present them can help you make more informed decisions.
If you’re considering placing any type of bet, always do so with responsible gambling practices in mind and never wager more than you are willing to lose.
**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.