Odds for to-nights game

[Lancer III]

York have been given odds of 17/4 to secure all three points against Portsmouth.

Pompey have odds of 8/13 to come away with all three points.

Three of Yorks's last five games have ended in draws and have given odds of 14/5 forYork to secure another point.

[Scoular1]

Never ever been a betting man,and never understand odds.Seems to me would be better to say 4/17 ie
4 pounds to win 17 pounds.Whatever happened to the idea of expressing odds as a % ?

[Lancer III]

Must I'm a little baffled by these.....

So If I put £5 on how much will I win ?

[Scoular1]

Should have put a couple of grand on a York win....all the signs were there