LexBrew
Usage Entry 1461 / 1605 60-second read

Probability vs. Odds

Likelihood expressed as a fraction versus a ratio.

The comparisoni

✗ Wrong

The odds are 50%.

✓ Correct

The probability is 50% (or 1/2). The ODDS would be 1:1 (one win for every loss) — odds and probability use different formats.

The ruleii

PROB = fraction. ODDS = ratio.

PROBABILITY: a fraction between 0 and 1 (or 0–100%). ODDS: a ratio of success to failure. 50% probability = 1:1 odds. 75% probability = 3:1 odds. Bookmakers and statisticians both use both — pick correctly.

Memory aidiii

Remember it like this

50% = 1:1 odds.

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