Closing Line Value (CLV)
sports bettingA measure of whether you consistently beat the closing line — the most efficient odds available just before an event starts.
Key Takeaways
- 1CLV is the best predictor of long-term betting success
- 2The closing line is the most efficient market price
- 3Consistently beating the closing line indicates a real edge
- 4Sharp sportsbooks use CLV to identify winning bettors
What is Closing Line Value?
Closing Line Value (CLV) measures whether the odds you bet at were better than the final odds (closing line) before the event started. It's widely considered the single best predictor of long-term betting success.
Why CLV Matters
The closing line is the most efficient line because it incorporates all available information and sharp money. If you consistently beat the closing line, you have a genuine edge — even if short-term results show losses.
Example
- You bet Chiefs -3 (-110) on Tuesday
- By game time, the line has moved to Chiefs -4.5 (-110)
- You got +CLV because you bet at a better number than the close
How Sportsbooks Use CLV
Sportsbooks track your CLV religiously. Bettors who consistently beat the closing line get limited or banned because the book knows they have an edge. This is the primary metric books use to identify sharp bettors.
Tracking Your CLV
Record the closing line for every bet you place and compare it to the odds you got. Over a large sample (500+ bets), consistent positive CLV is strong evidence of skill.