Hold Calculator

What is hold?

Hold (also called margin, vig, or juice) is the bookmaker built-in edge. In a fair market, implied probabilities sum to 100%. In a real market, they sum to more — the excess is the hold.

A -110/-110 market has about 4.76% hold. The book keeps that edge regardless of which side wins. Hold is expressed as a percentage of the total market overround.

Understanding hold helps you compare prices across sportsbooks. A market at -105/-105 has lower hold than -110/-110, meaning better value for the bettor on average.

Two-way vs multi-way markets

Point spreads and totals are typically two-way markets with 4-5% hold. Three-way markets (soccer, hockey) often have 5-8% hold. Futures with many outcomes can have 15-25% hold.

This calculator supports both formats. Enter American odds for each side or outcome and see total implied probability, hold percentage, and fair no-vig probabilities.

How to use hold in your analysis

Before placing a bet, check whether the hold is reasonable for that market type. Player props with 10% hold require a bigger edge to overcome than NFL sides at 4.5%.

Pair this tool with the No Vig Calculator to remove margin and estimate fair odds. If you can bet at prices better than fair, you may have positive expected value.

FAQ

Is hold the same as vig?

Yes. Hold, vig, vigorish, juice, and margin all refer to the bookmaker built-in edge. This calculator shows hold as a percentage of the total market.

What is a good hold percentage?

Major market sides and totals are typically 4-5%. Player props are often 5-10%. Futures can be 15-25%. Lower hold means better prices for bettors.

How is hold different from no-vig odds?

Hold tells you how much margin exists. No-vig odds remove that margin to show fair probabilities. Both use the same math but present it differently.

Why does hold matter for parlays?

Hold compounds when you combine legs. A 4-leg parlay at -110 each carries roughly 18% total hold instead of 4.5% on a single bet. Knowing hold helps you understand why parlays are expensive bets.