Taking the Odds

In the context of gambling and sports betting, taking the odds means making a wager that is favored to win. A typical example of taking the odds is placing a bet on the favorite in a football match. When taking the odds, the player will win an amount less than they have bet (e.g. get paid $60 when wagering $50). The opposite of taking the odds is laying the odds, which means making a wager that is not favored to win.

Examples of Taking the Odds & Laying the Odds

Taking the odds: Betting on Brazil in an association football match between it and Taiwan at 1.08 odds. 

Laying the odds: Betting on Germany in a hockey game between it and Finland at 2.85 odds.

Taking the odds:

• Making a wager that is favored to win.