What is a Future Bet?

Examples of common future bets:

Odds representation

Odds for futures can be listed in American format (+500), fractional format (5/1), or decimal format (6.0).

Higher odds (like +1000) indicate less likely outcomes, while lower odds (such as +300) represent favorites. If you see a bet with +1000 means that if you wager $100, you could get a pretty juicy payout: $1100. This amount includes the money you originally placed, $100, plus $1000 profit or winning. However, it also means that chances for that to happen are really low. It is a risky try.

On the other hand, a wager with +300 indicates that by putting $100, you could get a payout of $400. It includes your original $100 plus a winning of $300. The decision is all yours. Just be aware of the risks and the realistic winning chances you have. That is why knowing how to read the odds of a bet totally matters.

Based on team performance and many more situations, odds can shift over time. Consider that the odds for a future bet can be displayed at the beginning of the season, so the sportsbook will take wagers through the year. Many situations can arise during that time: trades, injuries, unexpected outcomes, trends, a lot of money wagered or not so much. Based on this, the odds can be adjusted, and you must be aware.

How sportsbooks display future odds

Futures odds are typically displayed in a list format, with each option and its corresponding odds clearly outlined. The entries are generally arranged in order of likelihood, starting with the most favorable chances and ending with the least.

For instance, let’s say the initial Super Bowl odds place the Kansas City Chiefs as the leading contenders, shown at the top of the list with odds of +500. A $100 wager will yield a $500 profit if they win.

In contrast, the New England Patriots are considered long shots for the championship, appearing near the bottom of the list with odds of +25,000, offering a potential $25,000 profit on a $100 wager.

How to win a future bet?

The Eagles must win the Super Bowl for you to win, too. If they do it, you will receive $250 profit, plus the $50 you wagered. Total payout of $300. How can you calculate your payout?

Payout formula

Here, you have the formula to calculate your payout.

Let’s use this formula to calculate the result for your $50 wager at +500 odds.

• Convert the odds to a decimal multiplier: Divide the odds by 100: 500/100=5.0
• Multiply by the bet amount: 50×5.0=250 (this is the profit or winning).
• Add the original wager: 250+50=300
• Result: The total payout would be $300, which includes your original $50 and $250 profit.

How do you lose a future bet?

If the Eagles, the team you wager on, does not win the Super Bowl, you lose the future wager, so your $50.

“Push” scenario in a future bet

A push happens when the outcome of the bet is neither a win nor a loss, resulting in the user receiving their original wager back. A push can occur in futures, although it is relatively rare. Let’s see some possible push scenarios.

• Exact odds or ties. In rare cases, if a sportsbook offers a market that allows ties as an option, such as “Who will win MVP?” and the award is split between two players, it could result in a push depending on the specific rules of the sportsbook.
• Bet void due to circumstances. Sportsbooks might void the wager if the future event is canceled or significantly altered. For example:
  • A tournament is canceled.
  • A player wager is voided because the player didn’t participate in the season due to injury, suspension, or another cause.
• Season win totals (over/under). If you wager on a team’s total wins for the season, like “over” 10 wins, and the team wins precisely 10 games, the result is a push because the outcome matches the line set by the sportsbook. You need 11 wins or more to win.
• Rule-based outcomes. Some sportsbooks have specific rules that govern pushes for futures. For instance, if the odds are set for “Will a team make the playoffs?” and a rule applies that refunds bets in cases of technical disqualifications or unusual outcomes.

Overtime on future bets

Whether overtime is considered in the outcome of a such an option depends on the type of wager and the specific rules of the sportsbook. Here’s a breakdown:

• Team-based futures. In cases like “Who will win the championship?” “Which team will win their division?” Overtime is always included because the final result determines the winner. For example, in a playoff game or championship match, the winner after overtime is the winner for future bets.
• Season totals and props. In an over/under total points for a team during the season, overtime is included because it’s part of the official game result.
• Player performance props. In cases such as “Player to score the most points in a season, most goals in a tournament, etc.”. Overtime stats are included, as they contribute to the player’s official totals.
• For future bets, unless stated otherwise, the outcome of the entire event, including overtime, determines the result. Always check the rules of the sportsbook because sometimes, they explicitly state “regular time only” or “90 minutes only” (common in soccer or hockey).
• For example, in soccer, a wager on “Match Result (90 minutes)” directly excludes overtime or penalty shootouts. A “60-minute line” excludes results from overtime or shootouts in hockey.