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Hold/Vig Calculator

Calculate the bookmaker's margin (hold/vig/juice) on betting markets. Find the best value odds and understand what you're paying in fees.

Hold/Vig Calculator

Calculate the bookmaker's margin (hold/vig/juice) on a betting market

💡 Click on any example above to see how different odds affect the vig.

Formula

Hold = (Σ Implied Probabilities - 100)%

The hold represents the bookmaker's built-in profit margin. Lower hold means better value for bettors.

How to Use

  1. 1
    Select format — Choose American or Decimal odds format.
  2. 2
    Enter odds — Input the odds for both outcomes of a two-way market.
  3. 3
    View hold — See the bookmaker's margin and no-vig fair odds.
  4. 4
    Compare — Use the examples to compare different vig levels.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the vig (vigorish)?

The vig (also called juice, hold, or margin) is the bookmaker's built-in profit on a betting market. It's the difference between the true odds and the odds offered. Standard vig on a -110/-110 market is about 4.55%.

How does vig affect my bets?

The vig reduces your expected return on every bet. On a -110/-110 market, you need to win 52.4% of your bets just to break even. Lower vig means you need to win less often to be profitable.

What is a good vig percentage?

Standard vig is around 4-5% (-110/-110). Reduced juice books offer 2-3% (-105/-105). Betting exchanges can have vig under 2%. Lower is always better for bettors.

What are no-vig odds?

No-vig (or fair) odds are what the odds would be without any bookmaker margin. They represent the true implied probability of each outcome. Comparing actual odds to no-vig odds shows how much value you're giving up.

Why do different sportsbooks have different vig?

Sportsbooks compete on vig to attract bettors. Some offer reduced juice as a marketing strategy, while others maintain higher margins. Shopping for the best odds across multiple books can significantly improve your long-term results.