Definition
Stake is the money placed on a single bet. It is the amount at risk before the event is settled. If the bet wins, the sportsbook returns the stake plus the profit. If the bet loses, the stake is lost.
For American odds, profit is calculated this way:
- Positive odds:
profit = stake × (odds / 100) - Negative odds:
profit = stake × (100 / absolute odds)
Worked Example
A bettor stakes $110 on an NFL spread at -110 odds.
profit = 110 × (100 / 110) = $100
If the bet wins, the bettor receives $210 total: the original $110 stake plus $100 profit. If the bet loses, the bettor loses the $110 stake.
At +150 odds, a $40 stake would return:
profit = 40 × (150 / 100) = $60
A winning +150 bet pays $100 total: $40 stake plus $60 profit.
Why It Matters
Stake size controls how much bankroll is exposed on each bet. Understanding stake helps a bettor compare risk, payout, and bet sizing before placing a wager.