The book's edge
Low hold
A market priced with an unusually small bookmaker margin — the total implied probability sits close to 100%. Main sides and totals at major books are the lowest-hold markets; parlays, props and futures are the highest. Betting low-hold markets means less house edge to overcome before any skill counts.
In our own measurement across 315 games, two-way moneylines held about 4.5–4.8% at consensus prices — and taking the best available price across books cut that roughly in half, which is the practical way to manufacture a low-hold bet.
Go deeper: What the vig costs by sport →
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