Odds and math
Hold
The share of all money wagered on a market that the sportsbook keeps regardless of the result.
Hold is the vig viewed from the book's side of the counter: with balanced action, it is the percentage of total handle the sportsbook expects to keep. A 4.8% hold on a standard two-way line means the book keeps roughly $4.80 of every $100 wagered.
It is the fastest way to compare how expensive different markets are. Main lines at sharp books hold 2–4%. Player props commonly hold 6–10%. Same-game parlays and long-shot exotics can hold well over 20%.
Low hold is the single most reliable indicator of a market worth betting into, because it means the book is confident in its number and is charging less to let you disagree with it.
Want the full version? Read the in-depth guide, with worked examples and the math.
See also
- Vig — The bookmaker's built-in margin — the reason both sides of a market add up to more than 100%.
- No-vig odds — Odds with the bookmaker's margin normalised out, showing what the market actually believes.
- Line shopping — Checking multiple sportsbooks for the same bet and taking the best available price.