Hold

Hold is the amount a sportsbook keeps after paying out winners, expressed as a percentage of total handle. It's the realized profit margin—what the book actually made versus what was wagered.

Hold vs Theoretical Hold

There's an important distinction:

Theoretical hold is the mathematical edge built into the lines—the vig. At -110/-110, theoretical hold is ~4.5%.

Actual hold is what the book really keeps after all bets settle. This varies based on outcomes.

Books try to balance action to lock in theoretical hold, but outcomes cause variance.

Typical Hold Percentages

Different bet types have different holds:

This is why sharps focus on sides and totals while avoiding parlays and futures—the hold is lower.

Why Hold Matters for Bettors

High hold means you need more edge to profit:

At 5% hold: You need ~5% edge to break even At 20% hold: You need ~20% edge to break even

Futures markets with 30% hold are almost impossible to beat long-term. You're giving up too much to the house before the game even starts.

Hold Across Platforms

Different platforms have different holds:

Prediction markets often have the lowest effective hold because they use exchange models where users trade against each other, with the platform taking only a small transaction fee.

Managing Hold

To minimize hold drag on your bankroll:

1. Line shop. Different books have different juice. Finding -108 vs -110 adds up.
2. Avoid parlays. Each leg multiplies the hold.
3. Consider exchanges. Prediction markets and betting exchanges have lower effective hold.
4. Track by bet type. Know which markets you're paying the most to access.

Related Terms

• Handle — Total bets taken (hold is derived from handle)
• Vig — The theoretical edge that drives hold
• Sharp — Bettors who minimize hold through line shopping