Asian Odds Formats: The Professional Bettor's Reference Guide to Malay, HK, and Indonesian Odds
Key Takeaways
- Three Asian odds formats dominate: Malay odds (Malaysia/Singapore), Hong Kong odds (HK/macau-facing books), and Indonesian odds (widely used by SBOBET and other Asian platforms)
- All three formats can represent the same price — conversion between them and to decimal odds is straightforward once you understand each format's logic
- Malay odds use a ±1.00 scale: positive values mean the stake is returned with profit on a win, negative values mean you stake more to win back 1 unit
- Hong Kong odds are profit-only relative to a 1-unit stake — the simplest conversion: HK odds + 1 = decimal odds
- Indonesian odds mirror American odds in structure: positive = profit on 100 units staked, negative = amount needed to win 100 units
Most Western bettors encounter Asian odds formats for the first time when they open an account at SBOBET, PS3838, or another Asian book — and immediately find the interface unfamiliar. A line that reads MYR 0.85 or HKD -1.25 requires a different mental model than the decimal or fractional odds most bettors learned first.
This guide covers all three major Asian formats: how each works, the calculation logic behind each, and how to convert between them and decimal odds. Understanding Asian odds formats is a prerequisite for reading Asian bookmaker interfaces and for using the Asian odds converter accurately.
Why There Are Three Different Asian Odds Formats
Asian odds formats evolved regionally, not by design. Each format reflects the conventions of its original market:
- Malay odds emerged from Malaysian and Singaporean betting markets, where they remain the dominant display format for major Asian books serving that region.
- Hong Kong odds reflect the Hong Kong horse racing tradition, where odds are quoted as profit per unit staked — a clean, intuitive format that remains standard in HK and macau-facing platforms.
- Indonesian odds were adopted by Indonesian bookmakers and became the interface standard for SBOBET, which uses Indo odds as its primary display format. Most Western users accessing SBOBET encounter Indo odds first.
The three formats coexist on most major Asian sportsbooks — users typically select their preferred display. PS3838, SBOBET, and most broker platforms allow you to switch between formats in account settings.
Malay Odds: Positive and Negative Values
Malay odds use a scale from -1.00 to +1.00. The sign indicates whether the outcome is favoured or an underdog, and determines how returns are calculated.
Positive Malay Odds (Underdogs or Near-Evens)
Positive Malay odds represent the profit on 1 unit staked. If the bet wins, you receive your stake back plus the profit.
Bet: Liverpool +0.5 AH at Malay odds +0.88, stake €200
Win: Return = stake + (stake × odds) = €200 + (€200 × 0.88) = €200 + €176 = €376
Profit: €176
Loss: Stake forfeited = −€200
Decimal equivalent: 0.88 + 1.00 = 1.88
Negative Malay Odds (Favourites)
Negative Malay odds represent how much you must stake to win 1 unit of profit. A bet at −0.88 means you stake €88 to win €100.
Bet: Manchester City −0.5 AH at Malay odds −0.88, stake €200
Win: Return = stake + (stake / |odds|) = €200 + (€200 / 0.88) = €200 + €227.27 = €427.27
Profit: €227.27
Loss: Stake forfeited = −€200
Decimal equivalent: (1 / 0.88) + 1 = 2.136
Hong Kong Odds: Profit-Only Quotation
Hong Kong odds quote the profit only — they do not include the return of the original stake. This makes conversion to decimal odds trivially simple: HK odds + 1 = decimal odds.
Bet: Chelsea −0.25 AH at HK odds 0.93, stake €300
Win: Profit = stake × HK odds = €300 × 0.93 = €279
Total return: €300 + €279 = €579
Loss: −€300
Decimal equivalent: 0.93 + 1.00 = 1.93
HK odds are the most intuitive format for bettors who think in decimal — the conversion is a single addition step.
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Open AsianConnect AccountIndonesian Odds: The SBOBET Standard
Indonesian odds mirror the structure of American moneyline odds but with a different base unit. The logic is identical: positive odds show profit on 100 units staked; negative odds show how much to stake to profit 100 units.
SBOBET uses Indonesian odds as its primary interface. Most bettors who access SBOBET via broker see Indo odds by default until they change their account settings.
Positive Indo (underdog): Arsenal +0.5 at Indo +1.05, stake €100
Win: Profit = stake × (odds/100) = €100 × (1.05/100... wait — Indo odds work on a 1-unit base, not 100)
Actually: Positive Indo odds = profit per 1 unit staked
Win: Return = €100 + (€100 × 1.05) = €100 + €105 = €205
Decimal equivalent: 1.05 + 1 = 2.05
Negative Indo (favourite): Arsenal −0.5 at Indo −1.05, stake €100
Win: Profit = stake / |odds| = €100 / 1.05 = €95.24
Total return: €100 + €95.24 = €195.24
Decimal equivalent: (1/1.05) + 1 = 1.952
Conversion Table: All Four Formats Side by Side
| Decimal | Malay | HK | Indonesian | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.00 | +1.00 | 1.00 | +1.00 | Even money — bet €100, win €100 |
| 1.91 | +0.91 | 0.91 | +0.91 | Typical AH underdog at ~5% margin book |
| 1.93 | +0.93 | 0.93 | +0.93 | PS3838/Pinnacle quality AH price |
| 1.50 | +0.50 | 0.50 | +0.50 | Moderate favourite |
| 1.50 | −2.00 | 0.50 | −2.00 | Same price, Malay/Indo negative format |
| 1.30 | −3.33 | 0.30 | −3.33 | Heavy favourite |
For quick live conversions, the Asian odds converter tool handles all four formats instantly — useful when comparing lines across books that use different display formats. The Asian handicap calculator also accepts inputs in all major odds formats.
Asian Odds Format Guides
Hong Kong Odds Explained
How HK odds work, how to calculate returns, and conversion to decimal.
Malay Odds Explained
The full guide to Malay odds: positive and negative values, return calculations.
Indonesian Odds Explained
Indo odds format used by SBOBET and other Asian books — mechanics and examples.
Asian Odds Converter
Interactive converter: Malay, HK, Indonesian, Decimal, and American odds.
How to Read SBOBET Odds
SBOBET's specific odds display explained for bettors unfamiliar with Asian formats.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Malay odds and Hong Kong odds?
Both formats quote odds relative to a 1-unit stake, but they calculate differently for favourites. HK odds always show the profit per unit staked — always positive. Malay odds use positive values for underdogs/near-evens (under 2.00 decimal) and negative values for favourites. A bet at HK odds 0.50 (decimal 1.50) is the same price as Malay odds +0.50 or Malay odds −2.00, depending on which side you're taking. The numerical relationship: positive Malay = HK odds; for favourites, Malay negative = −(1/HK odds).
Why does SBOBET use Indonesian odds by default?
SBOBET's Indonesian odds interface reflects its early operational focus on the Indonesian and South-East Asian recreational betting market. Indonesian odds were the familiar format for SBOBET's original user base. The format persists as the default interface on SBOBET and is the most common format Western bettors encounter when first accessing the book via broker. You can change the display format in SBOBET account settings to decimal, HK, or Malay as preferred.
How do I convert Asian odds to decimal?
HK odds: add 1. (HK 0.93 = decimal 1.93). Positive Malay odds: add 1. (Malay +0.85 = decimal 1.85). Negative Malay odds: (1 / |Malay odds|) + 1. (Malay −1.15 = (1/1.15)+1 = 1.87). Positive Indo odds: same as positive Malay — add 1. Negative Indo odds: same as negative Malay. Use the odds converter tool to verify calculations.
Which Asian odds format is easiest to learn for a Western bettor?
Hong Kong odds are the easiest transition from decimal — the conversion is literally one addition step (HK + 1). Malay odds require learning the sign convention, and Indonesian odds require understanding the positive/negative interpretation. Most professional bettors using Asian books simply change their account display to decimal, eliminating the format complexity entirely. The formats matter most if you're reading screenshots, discussing lines with other bettors, or using platforms that don't allow format switching.