Quantitative Betting Calculator
Hold & Vig Calculator
A hold calculator (or vig calculator) shows the sportsbook's built-in margin on a market - the percentage the book expects to keep from a balanced book. Enter both sides' odds and it returns the hold %, so you can tell a sharp, low-margin market from an expensive one and shop for the best price.
Enter every outcome in a 2-way or 3-way (e.g., soccer Home / Draw / Away) market to measure both the Overround (vig sum above 100%) and Theoretical Bookmaker Hold %.
How the hold calculator works
Enter both sides' odds
Every two-way market has two prices. Converted to implied probabilities, they add up to more than 100% - the excess is the book's theoretical hold.
Read the hold %
A lower hold means a sharper, cheaper market that leaves more value for you. Sharp books run holds near 2-4% on major markets; soft or exotic markets can run much higher.
Shop the number
Comparing hold across books shows where your money goes furthest. Consistently betting into lower-hold markets is one of the simplest long-term edges in betting.
Hold formula
Overround = (1/decimalA + 1/decimalB) − 1. Theoretical hold = 1 − 1 ÷ (impliedA + impliedB). For −110 / −110 the overround is 4.76% and the hold about 4.55%.
Example — A −110 / −110 market implies 52.38% + 52.38% = 104.76%, an overround of 4.76% and a hold of roughly 4.5%. A −105 / −105 market holds only about 2.4% - a materially cheaper price to bet into.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hold in sports betting?
The hold is the sportsbook's built-in profit margin on a market - the share of total wagers it expects to keep if action is balanced on both sides. It's derived from how far the combined implied probabilities exceed 100%.
What's the difference between hold and vig?
They describe the same margin from two angles: vig (or overround) is how much the implied probabilities exceed 100%, while hold is the percentage of total handle the book keeps. Both measure how expensive a market is to bet.
What is a good hold percentage?
Lower is better for the bettor. Sharp books hold around 2-4% on major markets like sides and totals; props, parlays, and exotic markets carry much higher holds.
How does hold affect my bets?
The higher the hold, the worse the price you're getting and the more you need to win just to break even. Shopping for lower-hold markets keeps more expected value on your side.
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Apply This Math to Live Vegas Markets
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