Hold Calculator
Enter the odds on both sides of a market and this calculator measures the overround and the hold % — the built-in commission, also called the vig or juice, that the sportsbook is charging you to bet. Add a draw for 3-way markets.
Overround vs. hold — what's the difference?
These two numbers are close cousins and constantly confused, but they measure slightly different things.
- Overround (also margin or vig) is how far a market's implied probabilities exceed a clean 100%. A −110 / −110 market implies 52.38% + 52.38% = 104.76%, so the overround is 4.76%.
- Hold is the sportsbook's expected profit as a share of the total money wagered on balanced action. It's always a touch smaller than the overround: for that same market the hold is 4.55%.
The distinction matters because overround is measured against 100%, while hold is measured against the stakes taken in. For quick comparisons the two are interchangeable; when you want the book's true edge on your money, use the hold.
Why a lower hold is better for you
The hold is the toll you pay to place a bet — it comes straight out of your expected return. A market with a 2% hold is dramatically cheaper to bet into than one with 6%. This is a big reason sharps favor low-hold books like Pinnacle: cheaper prices and, because the vig is thin, a fair line that's closer to the truth. Strip the hold out entirely with the no-vig calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What is the hold on a sportsbook market?
The hold is the theoretical percentage a sportsbook keeps if it takes perfectly balanced action on every outcome. It is calculated as (1 − 1 / overround) × 100, where the overround is the sum of every side's implied probability. A standard −110 / −110 market holds about 4.5%.
What is the difference between overround and hold?
The overround (also called the vig or margin) is how much the implied probabilities exceed 100% — for −110 / −110 that is 4.76%. The hold is the book's actual profit margin on balanced action, which is slightly smaller: 4.55% for the same market. Overround is measured against 100%; hold is measured against total stakes taken in.
Why does a lower hold matter to a bettor?
The hold is the built-in cost you pay to place a bet. A market with 2% hold is far cheaper to bet into than one with 6% hold, so more of your money goes toward the actual wager. Sharp, low-hold books like Pinnacle are both cheaper and closer to the true probability, which is why bettors devig them to find +EV.
Know the real cost of every market.
Iron Marker measures the hold on every book in real time, removes the vig from the sharp line, and shows you only the bets where the price beats fair value. $39/mo, 7-day free trial.
Start free trialIron Marker is an analytics tool, not a sportsbook, and this calculator is educational — not betting or financial advice. Must be 21+. Problem gambling? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.