Hold Helper
Find the bookmaker's hold (vig) on a two-way market plus the implied chances.
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, the implied probabilities, and the 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 the amount by which the total implied probabilities go past 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 when you’re the bettor. 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% or more.
What are fair odds?
Fair odds are what the prices would be if the bookmaker took no margin at all. They reflect the true mathematical probability of each outcome as the market sees it.