The hold is the sportsbook's margin — the percentage of all money wagered that the book keeps as profit. It's the same concept as the house edge in casino games, and it's built into every market through the pricing of odds.
How the Hold Works
On a standard -110/-110 spread:
- Both sides have an implied probability of 52.38%
- Combined implied probability: 104.76%
- Hold percentage: 4.76%
On a balanced book (equal action both sides), the book collects 4.76% of all wagered money regardless of which side wins. That 4.76% is the hold.
Hold by Market Type
Game spreads: 4-5% typically Totals: 4-5% typically Moneylines: Varies — lower on even matchups, can be 5-8% on extreme favorites Player props: 8-15% at many books (books price props wider to compensate for softer research) Futures: 15-30% or more — books hold enormous margins on futures markets Parlays: Compounding hold — each additional leg compounds the total hold
Why the Hold Matters for Your Strategy
Every percentage point of hold is money you need to overcome through betting skill. A 5% hold market requires 52.4% win rate to break even. A 10% hold market requires 54.5%. A 20% hold requires 58.3%.
This is why parlays, same-game parlays, and prop parlays are so costly — the hold compounds dramatically. Sticking to standard single-game bets in markets with lower holds gives you the best chance of winning.
Reducing the Hold's Impact
The best way to reduce the hold: line shop. If you can find markets at -105 instead of -110, the hold drops from 4.76% to 2.44% — roughly cutting it in half. Over hundreds of bets, this is enormous.
[Track the odds you're getting and see your implied EV with Oddible →]
