Calculate Sportsbook Hold Percentage
See how much the sportsbook keeps on any market. Compare holds across different sportsbooks and bet types.
What Is Hold Percentage?
Hold percentage is the proportion of total money wagered that the sportsbook expects to keep as profit. It is the market-level equivalent of the vig. For a standard -110/-110 market, the hold is 4.55%. For a -200/+180 market, the hold is approximately 5.3%. Sportsbooks in the US typically hold 4-7% on major markets and 10-20% on props, parlays, and SGPs.
Actual vs Theoretical Hold
Theoretical hold (calculated from odds) differs from actual hold (what the book actually keeps). If 80% of bets are on one side, the actual hold depends on the outcome. Over large samples, actual hold converges to theoretical hold. Nevada sportsbooks report actual hold of 5-8% on sides/totals and 15-25% on parlays.
A 2024 analysis of US sportsbook data found that the average recreational bettor loses $120 per month, with the median bettor losing about $60/month. Approximately 3-5% of bettors are profitable over a calendar year. Line shopping across 3+ books reduces losses by 20-30%.
