Quick Answer
What Does -110 Mean in Betting?
-110 is an American odds price. It means you would typically risk $110 to win $100 in profit. The original stake is also returned when the wager wins.
Direct answer
-110 is an American odds price. It means you would typically risk $110 to win $100 in profit. The original stake is also returned when the wager wins.
Example
Buffalo -3.5 (-110)
Risk $110
Potential profit: $100
BOOK A
+3 (-102)
Risk $102 to win $100
BOOK B
+3 (-115)
Risk $115 to win $100
Same spread. Different cost.
Why it matters
The -110 does not tell you which team is favored or how many points a team receives. The spread does that. The price tells you the cost of taking that position.
More context
For positive American odds, the calculation works differently: +120 means a $100 stake would return $120 in profit. Prices also change implied probability and cost, so compare the complete quote rather than assuming every sportsbook charges the same amount.
Common mistake
Do not read Buffalo -3.5 (-110) as one number. -3.5 is the spread. -110 is the attached price. Sportsbooks can offer the same spread at different prices.
Read the complete quote
Apply this definition to the exact quote on the screen. Record the sportsbook, spread, attached price, and observation time. A number without its full context can hide a meaningful difference in cost or grading.
Learn next
Learn next: Why Sportsbook Prices Differ