Hold Calculator
Calculate how much the sportsbook keeps (hold percentage) on any two-way market.
Market Odds
What Is Hold Percentage?
Hold (or overround) is the sportsbook's built-in margin on a market. It represents the percentage of total money wagered that the sportsbook expects to keep as profit, regardless of the outcome.
The Formula
Hold% = (1/decimal_a + 1/decimal_b - 1) × 100
What's a Good Hold?
Standard -110/-110 lines have a hold of about 4.5%. Sharp sportsbooks may offer holds as low as 2-3%, while recreational books can have holds of 6%+ on some markets. Lower hold = better value for bettors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is sportsbook hold percentage?
Hold percentage, also called overround, is the built-in margin that guarantees the sportsbook a profit on a market regardless of the outcome. It is the difference between the total implied probabilities of all outcomes and 100%. A lower hold means better value for bettors.
How is sportsbook hold calculated?
Hold is calculated by converting both sides of a market to implied probabilities and adding them together. The amount above 100% is the hold. For example, -110 on both sides gives implied probabilities of 52.38% each, totaling 104.76%. The hold is 4.76%, which is the sportsbook's edge on that market.
What is a good hold percentage for bettors?
A hold of 2-3% is considered excellent and is typically found at sharp sportsbooks. The standard hold at most US sportsbooks is around 4.5% on spreads and totals. Prop markets and parlays often have holds of 8% or higher. The lower the hold, the less you are paying in vig over time.
What is the difference between hold and vig?
Hold and vig are closely related but slightly different. Vig (juice) refers to the commission on an individual bet, while hold refers to the total margin across an entire market. Both measure the sportsbook's edge, but hold gives you the full picture of how much the book is charging across both sides of a two-way market.
Get OPTIMAL
Betting, fantasy and live sports in one app. OPTIMAL grades every line, finds the best price at every major sportsbook and follows every big play live. Free to download.
