Expected Value Calculator

Calculate whether a bet has positive expected value (+EV). The foundation of profitable sports betting.

%

$

Enter odds and probability to calculate EV

Example Scenarios

Understanding +EV vs -EV

Positive EV (+EV)

When your estimated probability of winning is higher than what the odds imply, you have a positive expected value. Over many bets, you'll profit.

Example: 55% chance at 2.00 odds

Implied prob: 50% → You have 5% edge

Negative EV (-EV)

When the odds imply a higher probability than your estimate, you have negative expected value. Over many bets, you'll lose money.

Example: 50% chance at 1.91 odds

Implied prob: 52.4% → House has 2.4% edge

Find +EV bets automatically

OddsElite compares odds across bookmakers to surface +EV opportunities in real-time. Stop calculating manually.

See live edges

Understanding Expected Value

What is Expected Value?

Expected Value (EV) is the average amount you can expect to win or lose per bet if you placed the same bet many times. It's calculated by multiplying each possible outcome by its probability and summing the results. Positive EV (+EV) means the bet is profitable long-term; negative EV (-EV) means it's not.

The Formula

EV = (Pwin × Profit) - (Plose × Stake)

Pwin = Your estimated probability of winning

Profit = Stake × (Decimal Odds - 1)

Plose = 1 - Pwin

Stake = Amount you're betting

Why EV Matters

Professional bettors focus exclusively on +EV bets because mathematics guarantees profit over time. A single bet can win or lose regardless of EV, but across hundreds of bets, positive expected value always wins. This is the same principle casinos use—except you're the house when you bet +EV.

Finding Your Edge

The key challenge is accurately estimating the true probability. This is where skill, research, and tools come in. Comparing your probability estimate against the implied probability from odds reveals your edge. If your estimate is consistently more accurate than the market, you have a long-term winning strategy.

EV Quick Reference

Odds Implied Prob Break-even +5% Edge EV
1.50 (-200) 66.67% 66.67% +$7.50
1.91 (-110) 52.36% 52.36% +$9.55
2.00 (+100) 50.00% 50.00% +$10.00
2.50 (+150) 40.00% 40.00% +$12.50
3.00 (+200) 33.33% 33.33% +$15.00
5.00 (+400) 20.00% 20.00% +$25.00

Click any row to load into calculator. "+5% Edge EV" shows EV when your probability is 5 percentage points higher than implied.