Hold Sports Calculator
See the bookie's hold (vig) on a two-way market.
How to Use This Calculator
- Pick your odds format (Decimal, Fractional, or American)
- Enter the odds for Outcome 1 (e.g., Team A to win)
- Enter the odds for Outcome 2 (e.g., Team B to win)
- See the bookmaker margin, implied probabilities, and fair odds
Formula
Implied Probability = 1 / Decimal Odds
Total Implied Probability = IP₁ + IP₂
Bookmaker Margin (Hold) = Total Implied Probability - 1
Fair Probability = Implied Probability / Total Implied Probability
Fair Odds = 1 / Fair Probability
Frequently Asked Questions
What is bookmaker hold (margin)?
The hold, or margin, is the bookmaker’s built-in profit. It’s how much the total implied probabilities go over 100%. A 5% hold means the bookmaker expects to keep 5 cents out of every dollar wagered.
What's a good hold percentage?
The lower, the better for bettors. Most sportsbooks run a hold of 4-10% on standard markets. Sharp bookmakers might offer 2-3% margins, while some prop bets can climb to 15%+ margins.
What are fair odds?
Fair odds are what you’d see if the bookmaker took zero margin. They reflect the true mathematical probability of each outcome as the market sees it.