Hold Calculator

Hold (also called overround or margin) is the percentage the sportsbook expects to keep from all bets placed on a market. Lower hold means better odds for bettors.

Understanding Hold

In a fair market, the implied probabilities of all outcomes would sum to exactly 100%. Sportsbooks inflate this total to build in their profit margin. At -110/-110, the total is 104.76%, meaning a 4.76% hold.

Why Hold Matters

• Lower hold = better prices for you
• High hold makes it harder to be profitable long-term
• Sharp books have lower holds but may limit winners
• Always compare holds across sportsbooks before betting

Hold by Market Type

Main market spreads and totals typically have low holds (3-5%). Player props and exotic markets often have holds of 10-20% or more. The more niche the market, the higher the hold tends to be.