Back to Encyclopedia
Hold
sports bettingThe percentage of the total handle that the sportsbook keeps as profit.
Key Takeaways
- 1Hold is the sportsbook's built-in profit margin
- 2Lower hold means better odds for bettors
- 3Standard -110/-110 has about a 4.76% hold
- 4Sharp books operate with lower holds than recreational books
What is Hold?
Hold (also called the "overround" or "margin") is the percentage of total money wagered that the sportsbook retains as profit. It's the sportsbook equivalent of the casino's house edge.
How to Calculate Hold
For a two-way market:
Hold = (1/Decimal Odds A + 1/Decimal Odds B) - 1
Example
Standard -110/-110 odds:
- Decimal odds: 1.909 / 1.909
- Hold = (1/1.909 + 1/1.909) - 1 = 4.76%
This means the sportsbook expects to keep 4.76% of all money wagered on this market.
Why It Matters
Lower hold = better odds for bettors. Sharp sportsbooks like Pinnacle operate with holds of 2-3%, while recreational books may have holds of 6-8% or higher. Use our Hold Calculator [blocked] to compare.