Tools & Calculators

Get the most out of Optimal Bet's calculators, projections, and analytics tools.

Tools & Calculators

Buying Half Points: When It's Worth It and When It's a Trap

Learn how buying and selling half points on spreads and totals works, when the extra cost is justified, and how to calculate the true price in probability terms.

January 26, 2026 · 6 min read
Tools & Calculators

Round Robin Bets Explained: Every Parlay Combination

Learn what a round robin bet is, how it creates every possible parlay combination from your selections, and when round robins make sense.

January 26, 2026 · 6 min read
Tools & Calculators

Bonus Bet Conversion: How to Maximize Free Bet Value

Learn how bonus bets and free bets work, how to calculate their real cash value, and strategies to convert them at the highest rate possible.

January 25, 2026 · 6 min read
Tools & Calculators

Hedge Betting: How to Lock In Guaranteed Profit

Learn how hedge betting works, when to use it, and how to calculate the exact stake needed to guarantee profit on both sides of a bet.

January 24, 2026 · 7 min read
Tools & Calculators

No-Vig Fair Odds: How to Strip the Sportsbook's Edge

Learn how to calculate no-vig fair odds by removing the sportsbook's margin. Find the true probability of any two-way betting market.

January 23, 2026 · 6 min read
Tools & Calculators

The Kelly Criterion: How to Size Your Bets Like a Pro

Learn the Kelly Criterion formula for optimal bet sizing. Understand how to calculate the mathematically ideal wager based on your edge and bankroll.

January 23, 2026 · 7 min read
Tools & Calculators

Expected Value in Betting: The Math Behind Every Smart Wager

Learn how to calculate expected value (EV) for any sports bet. Understand why +EV betting is the only long-term winning strategy.

January 22, 2026 · 7 min read
Tools & Calculators

Parlay Betting Explained: How Parlays Work and When to Use Them

Learn how parlay bets work, how payouts are calculated, and when parlays actually make sense from an expected value perspective.

January 20, 2026 · 7 min read
Tools & Calculators

Sportsbook Hold Percentage: How Much the House Keeps

Learn what sportsbook hold percentage is, how to calculate it, and why comparing hold across books saves you money over time.

January 19, 2026 · 5 min read
Tools & Calculators

Vig (Juice) Explained: The Hidden Cost of Every Bet

Understand what vig (juice) is in sports betting, how it affects your break-even win rate, and how to minimize its impact on your bottom line.

January 18, 2026 · 6 min read
Tools & Calculators

Implied Probability: What the Odds Are Really Telling You

Learn how to convert betting odds into implied probability, why it matters for finding value, and how sportsbooks bake their edge into the numbers.

January 13, 2026 · 6 min read
Tools & Calculators

American, Decimal & Fractional Odds Explained

Understand the three major odds formats used in sports betting: American, decimal, and fractional. Learn how to convert between them instantly.

January 12, 2026 · 6 min read