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What Does ‘Underdog’ Mean in Sports Betting?

what-does-underdog-mean

The “Underdog” (often just called “the dog”) is the team or player that the sportsbook expects to lose the game.

They are the opposite of the “favorite.”

Because they are less likely to win, you are rewarded with a bigger payout if you bet on them and they pull off the upset.

How to Spot the Underdog

In the US, you can always find the underdog by looking for the plus sign (+) next to their name on the betting line.

This shows up in the two main types of bets:

1. On the Moneyline (The “Who Wins” Bet)

The plus sign shows you how much profit you’ll win for a $100 bet.

  • Lions +150
  • 49ers -180

Here, the Lions are the underdog. The +150 means if you bet $100 on them to win the game, you would win $150 in profit (plus get your $100 back).

2. On the Point Spread (The “By How Much” Bet)

The plus sign gives the underdog “extra points” as a head start.

  • Jets +7.5
  • Dolphins -7.5

Here, the Jets are the underdog. The +7.5 means your bet on the Jets wins if they either:

  • Win the game outright
  • …OR…
  • Lose the game by 7 points or less (e.g., 27-21)

Betting on the underdog is popular because everyone loves a good upset story—and the bigger payout that comes with it.