Quick answer: Hong Kong, Malay and Indo odds are three ways of writing the same price, common on Asian handicap and totals markets. Hong Kong odds show your profit per ₱1 staked (0.90 means ₱90 profit on ₱100). Malay odds match Hong Kong odds up to 1.00 and turn negative for underdogs (−0.80 means you risk ₱80 to win ₱100). Indo odds work like American odds divided by 100 (−1.25 means you stake ₱125 to win ₱100).
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Why Asian Odds Formats Exist
Asian handicap and over/under lines are built so both sides are close to a coin flip. In decimal odds those prices all sit just under 2.00, at 1.85, 1.90 or 1.95. Asian formats remove the “1” and show only the profit, so small differences stand out: 0.85, 0.90 and 0.95 are easier to compare at a glance. Our guide to reading decimal, fractional and moneyline odds covers the other three formats.
Hong Kong Odds
Hong Kong odds are the simplest: the number is your profit for every ₱1 you stake, and it is never negative.
- 0.90: a ₱100 bet wins ₱90 profit. You get ₱190 back in total.
- 1.50: a ₱100 bet wins ₱150 profit. You get ₱250 back.
To convert to decimal odds, add 1. Hong Kong 0.90 is decimal 1.90.
Malay Odds
Malay odds come in two forms, and the sign tells you which one you are looking at.
- Positive (0.01 to 1.00): exactly the same as Hong Kong odds. Malay 0.85 means ₱85 profit on a ₱100 stake. This is the favourite’s side.
- Negative (−0.01 to −1.00): the underdog’s side. The number is how much you risk to win ₱1. Malay −0.80 means you risk ₱80 to win ₱100, which is the same as decimal 2.25.
A negative Malay price is not a bad price. It means you win more than you risk. The sign only flips once the profit would pass 1.00, so Malay odds always stay between −1 and +1.
Indo Odds
Indonesian odds are American odds divided by 100, so they never fall between −1 and +1.
- Positive (+1.00 or more): profit per ₱1 staked. Indo +1.50 means a ₱100 bet wins ₱150.
- Negative (−1.00 or less): how much you must stake to win ₱1. Indo −1.25 means you stake ₱125 to win ₱100, which is decimal 1.80.
The Same Prices in Every Format
| Decimal | Hong Kong | Malay | Indo | Implied chance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.50 | 0.50 | 0.50 | −2.00 | 66.7% |
| 1.80 | 0.80 | 0.80 | −1.25 | 55.6% |
| 1.95 | 0.95 | 0.95 | −1.05 | 51.3% |
| 2.00 | 1.00 | 1.00 | +1.00 | 50.0% |
| 2.25 | 1.25 | −0.80 | +1.25 | 44.4% |
| 3.00 | 2.00 | −0.50 | +2.00 | 33.3% |
The quickest way to convert any price is our free odds converter and parlay calculator, which shows all six formats side by side.
Worked Example: An Asian Handicap Line
Say a PBA game is listed at Team A −2.5 and Team B +2.5, priced at decimal 1.85 and 2.05. Here is the same line in each format:
- Hong Kong: 0.85 and 1.05
- Malay: 0.85 and −0.95
- Indo: −1.18 and +1.05
A ₱500 bet on Team B wins ₱525 profit in every format. Only the way the price is written changes. The two implied chances add up to about 102.8%, so the bookmaker’s margin on this line is roughly 2.8% (our calculation).
Common Mistakes
- Reading a negative Malay price as a loss. Malay −0.95 pays more than Malay 0.95. The minus sign marks the underdog side.
- Misreading the stake on negative odds. With negative Malay or Indo odds, some betting sites treat the amount you type as the amount to win and deduct a different amount as your risk. Always check the “risk” and “to win” figures on the bet slip before you confirm.
- Mixing formats in a parlay. Parlay odds only multiply correctly in decimal. Convert every leg first, or let the parlay calculator do it.
- Comparing sites in different formats. Set both sites to decimal before comparing a price, or you may think one pays more when it does not.
Want to see Asian handicap prices in your preferred format?
Frequently Asked Questions
Which odds format is best?
None pays more than another. They are different ways of writing the same price. Decimal is the easiest for parlays and comparisons, while Hong Kong or Malay can be quicker for reading Asian handicap lines.
Why are Malay odds never higher than 1?
Because once the profit would pass 1.00, the format flips to a negative number that shows the stake needed to win ₱1. That keeps every price between −1 and +1.
Are Indo odds the same as American odds?
Yes, divided by 100. American −125 is Indo −1.25, and American +150 is Indo +1.50.
Can I change the odds format on a betting site?
Most international sportsbooks let you choose the format in your account or display settings. Pick one format and stick with it so you do not misread a price.
Final Thoughts
Hong Kong, Malay and Indo odds look strange at first, but each one is the same price written a different way. Learn to read the sign, check the bet slip before you confirm, and convert to decimal whenever you compare or combine bets.
Understanding odds does not change the bookmaker’s margin. Set a budget before you start and stop when it is spent. If betting has stopped feeling like entertainment, read our responsible gambling guide for warning signs and free help, including the NCMH crisis hotline (1553). 21+ only.