-249 Odds Explained
- Decimal
- 1.40
- American
- -249
- Fractional
- 39/97
- Implied probability
- 71.35%
- Polymarket
- 71¢
- $100 wins
- 40.16
- The fraction shown is the closest simple fraction to the odds rounded to 3 decimals, not an exact match.
- American
- -249
- Fractional
- 39/97
- Implied probability
- 71.35%
- Polymarket
- 71¢
- Profit
- 40.16
- Total return
- 140.16
1.402 decimal, -249 American, 71.35% implied probability
-249 is an American price:
the minus sign marks a favourite, and the number is the stake needed to win 100
. Every other format describes the same chance: 1.40 decimal, 39/97 fractional, 71.35% implied probability, 71¢ on Polymarket.
What -249 pays
A 100 stake at -249 returns 140.16 in total: your 100 back plus 40.16 profit. To win exactly 100 you would stake 249.00. The table covers the stakes people actually use.
| Stake | Profit | Total return |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | 4.02 | 14.02 |
| 25 | 10.04 | 35.04 |
| 50 | 20.08 | 70.08 |
| 100 | 40.16 | 140.16 |
| 500 | 200.80 | 700.80 |
| 1,000 | 401.61 | 1,401.61 |
Break-even and long-run results
The implied probability of -249 is 71.35%, and that number is also the break-even win rate: win more often than 71.35% of the time at this price and you profit in the long run, win less often and you lose. The table shows the return on stake at a few win rates, including the break-even rate itself.
| Win rate | Return on stake |
|---|---|
| 50% | -29.9% |
| 55% | -22.9% |
| 60% | -15.9% |
| 65% | -8.9% |
| 71% | -0.5% |
With an implied probability of 71.35%, -249 is a moderate favourite. Prices in this band are where the bookmaker's margin is easiest to see: the opposite side of the market is usually priced a little longer than the fair line, and the two implied probabilities add up to more than 100%.
The vig at -249
If both sides of a two-way market were priced at -249, the implied probabilities would add up to 42.69% above 100%. That excess is the overround, or vig; as a share of stakes it is a 29.92% margin for the bookmaker. Removing it leaves fair odds of 2.00 decimal ( +100) on each side. Use the devig calculator to do the same for any market.
-249 on a betting exchange
Exchanges charge commission on net winnings, so the price you see is not the price you get. At 2% commission -249 is worth 1.394 decimal (-254 American); at 5% it drops to 1.382 (-262). Those are the bookmaker prices you would need to beat.
| Commission | Effective decimal | Effective American | Break-even |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2% | 1.394 | -254 | 71.76% |
| 5% | 1.382 | -262 | 72.38% |
Same price in other formats
Nearby prices
Nearby prices
Frequently asked questions
What does -249 mean in betting?
-249 is an American price. Positive numbers show the profit on a 100 stake; negative numbers show the stake needed to win 100. At -249 the implied probability is 71.35% and a 100 stake returns 140.16.
What is -249 in decimal odds?
-249 converts to 1.402 in decimal odds (usually shown as 1.40). Decimal odds are the total return per unit staked, so multiply your stake by 1.402 to get the return.
What is -249 as a fraction?
-249 is 39/97 in fractional odds, the traditional bookmaker notation where the top number is profit and the bottom number is stake.
How much do I win on a 100 bet at -249?
A 100 stake at -249 wins 40.16 in profit and returns 140.16 including the stake. To win exactly 100 you would stake 249.00.
What win rate do I need at -249?
The break-even win rate equals the implied probability, 71.35%. Winning more often than that at this price is profitable over the long run; winning less often loses money.