Reading SBOBET Odds: Indonesian, Malay and HK Formats in Practice
Key Takeaways
- SBOBET displays odds in Indonesian format by default — positive values are profit per unit, negative values require more than 1 unit to win 1
- SBOBET allows you to switch between Indonesian, Malay, HK and Decimal formats in your account settings
- On SBOBET's Asian handicap markets, the line (handicap value) and the price (odds) are displayed separately — understanding both is essential
- SBOBET's AH lines move frequently based on market action — the price shown is the current market price, not a fixed offer
- For most Western bettors, switching SBOBET's display to Decimal format removes all ambiguity
SBOBET is one of the largest and most important Asian bookmakers. Its interface displays odds in Indonesian format by default — a convention that confuses bettors new to Asian markets. This guide walks through how to read SBOBET odds in each format, how to interpret the Asian handicap line display, and how to switch to your preferred format.
SBOBET's Default: Indonesian Odds Format
When you first access SBOBET, odds are shown in Indonesian format. The logic:
- Positive Indo odds (+X): profit per 1 unit staked. Example: +0.91 on Arsenal means stake €100, win €91 profit (return €191 total)
- Negative Indo odds (−X): stake required per 1 unit of profit. Example: −1.05 means stake €105 to win €100 profit (return €205)
- The dividing line: decimal equivalent of 2.0 is Indonesian 0 to +1.0 range; below 2.0 decimal goes negative in Indo format
Example — SBOBET Indo display for a PL match
Arsenal vs Brentford — Asian Handicap display on SBOBET
Line: Arsenal −0.5 / Brentford +0.5
SBOBET shows: Arsenal −0.5 at 0.90 | Brentford +0.5 at 0.90
Both are positive Indo (balanced market). Stake €100 on Arsenal −0.5:
Win (Arsenal win by 1+): €100 × 0.90 = €90 profit
Lose (draw or Brentford win): −€100
Decimal equivalent: 0.90 + 1 = 1.90
How to Switch SBOBET to Decimal Format
SBOBET's interface allows you to change the odds display format without affecting your bets. To switch to decimal:
- Log into your SBOBET account (via your broker's interface, or directly if you have direct access)
- Look for the odds format selector — typically in the top-right of the sports betting interface or in account settings
- Select "Decimal" or "European" from the dropdown
- All odds will now display as decimal (e.g. 1.90 instead of +0.90)
For Western bettors more familiar with decimal or fractional odds, this switch eliminates any reading confusion. The underlying prices, limits, and Asian handicap lines are identical — only the display format changes.
Reading SBOBET's Asian Handicap Market Display
SBOBET's AH market display contains three components: the team names, the handicap line, and the price. Understanding each is critical before placing bets.
| Display element | What it means | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Home team name | Team to which the AH applies | Arsenal |
| Handicap line (home) | Goals applied to home team result. Negative = home is favourite | −0.75 (Arsenal give ¾ goal) |
| Price (home side) | Indo odds for betting Arsenal −0.75 | 0.88 (decimal: 1.88) |
| Away team name | Opponent (always receives the inverse handicap) | Brentford |
| Handicap line (away) | Inverse of home line — away team receives +0.75 | +0.75 |
| Price (away side) | Indo odds for betting Brentford +0.75 | 0.90 (decimal: 1.90) |
Example — Quarter-ball handicap at SBOBET
Arsenal −0.75 at 0.88 / Brentford +0.75 at 0.90
A −0.75 AH is a quarter-ball (split bet): half on −0.5, half on −1.0
Bet: €200 on Arsenal −0.75 at 0.88 (decimal 1.88)
Arsenal win by 2+: Full win → €200 × 0.88 = €176 profit
Arsenal win by exactly 1: Half win (€100 wins) + half push (€100 back)
→ €100 × 0.88 = €88 profit + €100 returned = €88 profit net
Draw or Brentford win: Full loss → −€200
See the Asian handicap guide for all handicap variants explained with full settlement examples.
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Open AsianConnect AccountSBOBET Malay Odds Display
If you switch SBOBET to Malay format, the display logic changes. Malay odds use a different sign convention from Indonesian:
| Malay odds | Meaning | Decimal equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| +0.90 (Malay positive, ≤ 1.0) | Win 0.90 per 1 unit staked | 1.90 |
| −0.91 (Malay negative) | Stake 1 to win 0.91/1 = lose 1 per 1/0.91 staked | 2.099 (implied favourite) |
| +1.00 (Malay at evens) | Win 1.00 per 1 staked (evens in any format) | 2.00 |
Malay odds greater than +0 and up to +1.0 correspond to decimal odds between 1.0 and 2.0. Malay negative odds (below 0) correspond to decimal odds above 2.0 — the inverse of Indonesian negative logic. The confusion between Malay and Indonesian negative odds is the most common reading error at Asian books.
SBOBET Hong Kong Odds Display
Hong Kong odds are simpler: always positive, always representing profit per 1 unit staked. HK 0.90 = profit €90 on a €100 bet = decimal 1.90. HK format never goes negative, making it the most straightforward for bettors unfamiliar with sign-based Asian formats.
The trade-off: HK odds cannot express a favourite where the price is below evens (decimal below 2.0) without becoming fractions smaller than 1.0 — this can look counterintuitive for heavy favourites. See the Hong Kong odds guide for full detail.
Practical Tip: Just Use Decimal at SBOBET
Unless you are specifically working in a market or team that communicates in Asian formats, the simplest approach is to set SBOBET's display to Decimal. You lose nothing — all prices, limits, and markets are identical. You gain complete clarity on exactly what you are being offered and can instantly apply standard probability and expected value calculations without any format conversion.
SBOBET Odds — Frequently Asked Questions
What odds format does SBOBET use by default?
SBOBET defaults to Indonesian odds format. In this format, positive values (e.g. +0.90) represent profit per unit staked, and negative values (e.g. −1.05) represent the stake required to win 1 unit. You can switch to Decimal, Malay, or Hong Kong format in your account settings — the underlying prices and markets are unaffected by your display preference.
How do I convert SBOBET odds to decimal?
For positive Indonesian odds: decimal = Indo + 1. Example: +0.90 → decimal 1.90. For negative Indonesian odds: decimal = (1 ÷ |Indo|) + 1. Example: −1.05 → decimal (1 ÷ 1.05) + 1 = 1.952. Alternatively, use the Asian odds converter on this site, or simply change your SBOBET display settings to Decimal and avoid the conversion entirely.
Why do some SBOBET odds show negative numbers?
Negative Indonesian odds appear when the selection's implied probability is greater than 50% — i.e., the book has the event as a favourite at decimal odds below 2.0. A negative Indo value (−1.10) means you must stake 1.10 units to profit 1 unit. This is identical in structure to a negative American (Moneyline) line (−110) — just divided by 100.
Can I access SBOBET without changing the odds display format?
Yes. You do not need to change any settings — Indonesian odds are entirely functional once you understand the format. Many professional bettors who operate primarily in Asian markets prefer to keep Indo format active, as it directly communicates the stake-to-profit ratio without requiring mental addition of 1. The choice of display format is purely personal preference.