Learn
Curling betting explained: how to read curling odds
Read curling odds in three markets – match winner, ends handicap and total ends. The tool right below works through a sample line and shows the payout.
| End | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red | 2 | · | 0 | · | ? | 2 | |||
| Blue | · | 1 | 0 | 1 | ? | 2 |
hammer (last stone) · steal
End 4: Blue scored 1 without the hammer – a steal. Red keeps the hammer.
End 5Red has the hammer
How the bets stand
| Winner (extra ends count) | Open |
|---|---|
| Red −1.5 / Blue +1.5 points | Open |
| Total points over/under 9.5 (now 4) | Open |
| Extra end needed | Open |
| Steals so far | Red 0 · Blue 1 |
Markets settle on the score after the last end played, extra ends included – check each book’s own rules for curling.
Curling terms in one line
- End
- One round of play: both teams throw all their stones, then the points are counted.
- Hammer
- The last stone of an end. The team that has it usually has the edge in that end.
- Steal
- Points scored by the team without the hammer.
- Blank end
- An end where nobody scores.
- Extra end
- An added end played when the score is tied at the finish.
Curling markets
Match winner
−200 / +150Pick the team that wins the game. Minus marks the favourite, plus marks the underdog. Check whether extra ends count.
Ends handicap
−1.5 / +1.5The favourite starts behind, the underdog starts ahead. The bet is settled on the final margin after the handicap is added.
Total ends
−110 each sideOver or under a line set by the sportsbook. Read the rules: what is counted and whether extra ends are included.
Futures
+250A bet on who wins a whole bonspiel, such as the Brier. Money stays tied up until the event ends.
How to read a curling line
- Find both pricesFor example, one team at −200, the other at +150.
- Read the minus sideThe favourite: a $10.00 bet at −200 pays $15.00, so your profit is $5.00.
- Read the plus sideThe underdog: a $10.00 bet at +150 pays $25.00, including your stake.
- Turn price into chance+150 means 40.0% implied. Use the odds converter for any price.
- Check settlement rulesLook up how extra ends, concessions and handicaps are settled before you bet.
A sample curling line in every format
| Format | Underdog | Favourite |
|---|---|---|
| American | +150 | −200 |
| Decimal | 2.50 | 1.50 |
| Fractional | 3/2 | 1/2 |
| Implied chance | 40.0% | 66.7% |
| Payout on $10.00 | $25.00 | $15.00 |
| Profit on $10.00 | $15.00 | $5.00 |
Payout on a curling bet
Payout = stake × decimal odds. For plus prices: decimal = 1 + American ÷ 100.
Example: 1 + 150 ÷ 100 = 2.50, so $10.00 × 2.50 = $25.00.
Reading a bonspiel futures list
| What you look at | Sample value |
|---|---|
| Teams in the list | 8 |
| Favourite's price | +250 |
| Favourite's implied chance | 28.6% |
| Favourite's chance without margin | 26.8% |
| Longest price | +2000 = 4.8% |
| Sum of all implied chances | 106.4% |
| Margin built in | 6.4% |
| Payout on $10.00 at the favourite | $35.00 |
Sample list for illustration, not a real event.
Questions
How do curling odds work?
Like other sports. A minus price is the favourite, a plus price is the underdog. Decimal odds × stake gives the payout: $10.00 at 2.50 pays $25.00.
What does hammer mean in curling betting?
The hammer is the last stone of an end. The team holding it usually has an advantage in that end.
Do extra ends count in curling bets?
It depends on the market and the sportsbook's rules. Check the settlement rules for match winner, handicap and totals before you bet.
Where do Brier odds come from?
Sportsbooks that offer curling set match lines and futures. This site takes no bets and links to no sportsbooks. Whether you may bet depends on the laws of your province; this page is not legal advice.
What is the margin in a futures list?
It is the part of the implied chances above one hundred percent. In our sample list of 8 teams, they add up to 106.4%, so the margin is 6.4%. Real lists vary – add them up yourself.