\n
Heads<\/strong> = Probability 50% = (True) Odds (1\/1) 2.00<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n \n \n
\n
\n <\/div>\n
\n
Stake<\/strong> = \u00a350<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n \n \n
\n
\n <\/div>\n
\n
Tails<\/strong> = Probability 50% = (True) Odds (1\/1) 2.00<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n \n \n
\n
\n <\/div>\n
\n
Stake<\/strong> = \u00a350<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n \n \n
\n
\n <\/div>\n
\n
Total staked<\/strong> = \u00a3100<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n \n \n
\n
\n <\/div>\n
\n
Total Payout<\/strong> = \u00a3100<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n \n \n
\n
\n <\/div>\n
\n
Profit\/loss<\/strong> = \u00a30<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n This rounded book, minus the extra margins, does not rely on two or more outcomes having an equal probability as with the above example of the toss of a coin.<\/strong> Eliminating in theory the possibility of a tied outcome, a football match will, in the main, be played out between two teams of uneven ability so we will rate the two teams differently.<\/p>\n\n\n So, let\u2019s say Team A is a 6\/4 shot versus Team B at 4\/6.<\/p>\n\n
\n The implied probabilities are thus:<\/p>\n\n
\n
\n
\n - \n
\n
\n
\n <\/div>\n
\n
Team A<\/strong>: 6\/4 = 2.50 = 40%<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n - \n
\n
\n
\n <\/div>\n
\n
Team B<\/strong>: 4\/6 = 1.67 = 60%<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n So far, we have not yet added our bookmakers overround.<\/p>\n\n
\n If \u00a350 was again staked on each outcome at these odds and Team A wins at 6\/4, the bookie\u2019s liability would be \u00a325.<\/p>\n\n
\n
\n
\n - \n
\n
\n
\n <\/div>\n
\n
Total staked<\/strong> = \u00a3100<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n - \n
\n
\n
\n <\/div>\n
\n
Total payout<\/strong> = \u00a3125<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n - \n
\n
\n
\n <\/div>\n
\n
Liability<\/strong> = -\u00a325<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n If Team B wins at 4\/6, then the bookie\u2019 would make a profit of \u00a316.67.<\/p>\n\n
\n
\n
\n - \n
\n
\n
\n <\/div>\n
\n
Total staked<\/strong> = \u00a3100<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n - \n
\n
\n
\n <\/div>\n
\n
Total payout<\/strong> = \u00a383.33<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n - \n
\n
\n
\n <\/div>\n
\n
Profit<\/strong> = \u00a316.67<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n In the above scenario, the bookie may make a profit of \u00a316.67 or they could also take a hit of \u00a325. The risk of taking such a hit will obviously be unacceptable to a bookmaker, hence the need for the overround.<\/strong> And because of this overround, the bookmaker can ensure that, at the very least, they can balance the book and break even no matter the outcome.<\/p>\n\n\n To achieve this, the bookie is therefore required to take different amounts of stakes on either side of the market.<\/p>\n\n
\n In this case, the bookie would have to limit the amount of stakes they take on Team A, relative to Team B in order to balance the book. That would look something like this:<\/p>\n\n
\n Team A<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n
\n
\n - \n
\n
\n
\n <\/div>\n
\n
6\/4 = 2.50 = 40%<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n - \n
\n
\n
\n <\/div>\n
\n
Total stakes on A<\/strong> = \u00a340<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n - \n
\n
\n
\n <\/div>\n
\n
Total payout if A wins<\/strong> = \u00a3100<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/li>\n <\/ul>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n Team B<\/strong><\/p>\n\n