Betting odds?

Question

when on a betting website I see this:

Bet On: Who will be the next president of the United States? Vote on who will win the 2008 Presidential election.

John McCain +175

Barack Obama -260

What exactly does the +175 and -260 mean?

Answer 1

With any betting odds displayed in the "American" format each set of odds is based on $100.  For negative(-) numbers the number signifies how much money you must RISK in order to PROFIT $100.  For positive(+) numbers the number signifies how much you will PROFIT if you RISK $100.

Following your example...

If you bet $100 on John McCain and he wins, you will get $175 plus your wager amount of $100.

If you bet on Obama you must risk $260 to win $100.  Yes you get your $260 as well as the $100 for total of $360.  

You'll find lots of helpful information on betting odds and tips at http://GamblingReviewsSite.com

Answer 2

I can't add anything relevant to the previous answer, but I will say that John McCain is a steal at +175!  I predict a similar result to the Dewey/Truman election in the 40's.

Answer 3

If I understand that correctly then if you bet

$100 on McCain you will win  $175 if McCain wins.

$455 on Obama you will win  $175 if Obama wins.

Here is the explanation given on the web site.

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Let me get down to the ‘real deal’ by admitting what is undoubtedly the worst kept secret on the face of the planet – that both, racism – and sexism – are both, as alive and well in the United States as it was 70 or 80 years ago, despite the obvious changes that have taken place both, in the U.S. history and world history during that time.

While slavery is no longer legal in the United States and the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s changed a lot of the segregation that did exist in certain parts of the country, there is a ‘new age’ slavery taking place all over the U.S. that limits people of color in every professional field from sports writing to politics.

Not only that, but the level of sexism in the United States is nearly as rampant as it racism counterpart, though certainly not nearly as bad.

Not to get into a long-winded historical chronology, but every president or other leader who ever tried to close or end the racial divide altogether is either assassinated or labeled a ‘dream-chasing kook.’

From John F. Kennedy to Martin Luther King Jr. and the former Kennedy’s brother, Bobby, every American leader who was ‘for the people’ either met an unfortunate demise or was never elected to a difference-making position, (which is why Colin Powell said no thanks to the political arena).

Point blank bettors and Locker Room readers, the United States is not ready for either, a male president of color or a Caucasian female leader, no matter what anyone says to the contrary - which unfortunately leaves the U.S. with only one option – John McCain. Besides, at +145, how can you not take the ‘favorite?’

Answer 4

Potsie got it right.

That said, I think that Obama's line is too stiff to bet.  -260 is a bad bet this early in the game.  come back in 4 1/2 months and it'll be around -150 or better.

And yeah, I'd take McCain for a couple hundred at those odds right now.