Four formats, one price
Every format below describes the same price. The conversion formulas start from decimal odds (D):
- Decimal: the total return per RM1, including the stake. D = 2.10 means RM10 returns RM21.
- Hong Kong: the net profit per RM1. HK = D − 1.
- Malay: the same as HK when HK ≤ 1. When HK > 1, Malay odds turn negative: −1 ÷ HK.
- Indo: if D ≥ 2, Indo = D − 1 (positive). If D < 2, Indo = −1 ÷ (D − 1).
Conversion table
| Decimal | Hong Kong | Malay | Indo | Implied probability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.40 | 0.40 | 0.40 | −2.50 | 71.4% |
| 1.75 | 0.75 | 0.75 | −1.33 | 57.1% |
| 1.90 | 0.90 | 0.90 | −1.11 | 52.6% |
| 2.20 | 1.20 | −0.83 | +1.20 | 45.5% |
| 3.00 | 2.00 | −0.50 | +2.00 | 33.3% |
| 5.00 | 4.00 | −0.25 | +4.00 | 20.0% |
Positive and negative Malay odds
Malay odds are the most common format on Asian handicap screens, and the minus sign confuses new players more than anything else.
No minus sign: 0.85
Put RM100 on it: a win means +RM85, a loss means −RM100.
With a minus sign: −0.85
Put RM100 on it: a win means +RM100, a loss means only −RM85.
In other words, negative odds mean your risk is smaller than your win. A Malay price of −0.85 works out at about 2.18 in decimal.
Implied probability: what the book “believes”
One divided by the decimal price gives the chance the book “believes in”. A price of 3.00 means 33.3%. If your own assessment is 40%, that price is attractive; if it is only 28%, wait for another match. That is the foundation of all disciplined sports betting.
Calculating the bookmaker’s margin
Combine the implied chances of every possible result in the same market. Whatever climbs past 100% is the book’s built-in profit.
| Market | Prices | Total probability | Approx. margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Handicap | 1.92 / 1.92 | 52.1% + 52.1% = 104.2% | ≈ 4% |
| Handicap (another book) | 1.95 / 1.93 | 51.3% + 51.8% = 103.1% | ≈ 3% |
| 1X2 | 2.10 / 3.40 / 3.60 | 47.6% + 29.4% + 27.8% = 104.8% | ≈ 4.6% |
A lower margin means a better price for players. With four sportsbooks in one MYCS33 account, comparing the margin on the same match takes seconds — see the four-sportsbook comparison.
Reading handicap prices on screen
On an Asian handicap screen you usually see the line (such as 0.5 or 0/0.5) next to the favourite, followed by two prices in Malay format. A “0/0.5” line equals 0.25 — the stake is split between 0 and 0.5. Full examples of how these lines settle are in the sports betting guide.
Three common mistakes
- Comparing prices in different formats. Set the same format on every book before comparing.
- Reading negative odds as a loss. −0.91 in Malay format is actually a bigger price than 0.95.
- Ignoring the margin. A few sen of difference on every bet adds up to a real amount over a season.
Questions players ask
Which format should a new player use?
Decimal, because returns are easy to calculate: stake × odds. You can switch formats in each sportsbook’s settings.
Why do some Malay odds carry a minus sign?
The minus means your risk is smaller than your win. At −0.85, RM100 wins RM100 or loses RM85.
How is a price turned into a percentage chance?
One divided by the decimal price: 1 ÷ 3.00 = 0.333, or 33.3%.
What is the bookmaker’s margin?
The amount by which the implied probabilities in a market add up to more than 100%. It is the book’s share of every market.