Understanding Bookmaker Margins (Vig) 2026: How Bookmakers Make Money

Introduction

Every time you place a bet, the bookmaker takes a cut. It does not matter whether you win or lose -- the bookmaker has already built a profit margin into the odds before you even click "place bet." This hidden tax on your wagers is the single most important concept that separates informed bettors from the rest of the crowd.

This margin goes by many names: vig (short for vigorish), juice, overround, or simply margin. Regardless of what you call it, the effect is the same -- the odds you receive are always slightly worse than fair, and that difference is how bookmakers guarantee themselves a profit over time.

Understanding bookmaker margins is not just academic knowledge. It is the foundation upon which all value betting is built. If you do not know how much you are paying in margin on every bet, you cannot accurately assess whether a bet offers genuine value. You might think you have found a great price, when in reality the margin has already eaten into your edge.

In this guide, we will break down exactly how bookmaker margins work, show you the maths behind the overround, compare margins across different bookmakers and market types, quantify the long-term cost to your bankroll, and give you practical strategies to minimise the margin you pay. If you are serious about profitable betting, this is essential reading.

New to betting altogether? Start with our beginner's guide and how betting odds work first, then come back here.

What is Bookmaker Margin (Vig)?

At its core, the bookmaker margin is the percentage above 100% that the total implied probabilities of all outcomes sum to. In a perfectly fair market -- one where the bookmaker takes zero profit -- the implied probabilities of all possible outcomes would add up to exactly 100%. But bookmakers are businesses, not charities. They inflate the probabilities beyond 100%, and that excess is their guaranteed edge.

This concept is known by several names across the betting world:

Vig (vigorish): The most common term in North America
Juice: Slang for the same concept, popular among American bettors
Margin: The standard term used by bookmakers themselves and across Europe
Overround: A traditional British term referring to the total implied probability exceeding 100%

All of these terms describe the same thing: the bookmaker's built-in advantage on every market they offer.

The Coin Toss Analogy

The simplest way to understand margin is through a coin toss. There are two outcomes -- heads and tails -- each with a true probability of exactly 50%.

Fair odds (zero margin):

Heads: 2.00 (implied probability = 50%)
Tails: 2.00 (implied probability = 50%)
Total implied probability: 50% + 50% = 100%

Bookmaker odds (with margin):

Heads: 1.91 (implied probability = 52.4%)
Tails: 1.91 (implied probability = 52.4%)
Total implied probability: 52.4% + 52.4% = 104.8%

The bookmaker is behaving as though there is a 104.8% chance of something happening -- which is obviously impossible. That extra 4.8% is the margin. It means that no matter which side of the coin lands, the bookmaker pays out less than they should at fair odds. Over thousands of coin flips, the bookmaker profits regardless of which outcomes occur.

This is why bookmakers do not care who wins. They have already built their profit into the price.

How Bookmakers Build Their Margin

The Overround Explained

The overround is calculated by summing the inverse of all odds in a market. If the total exceeds 1.0 (or 100%), the bookmaker has a margin.

Formula:

Overround = (1 / Odds_1) + (1 / Odds_2) + ... + (1 / Odds_n)

Margin percentage = (Overround - 1) x 100

Worked Example: Premier League Match

Let us say a bookmaker offers the following odds for Arsenal vs Chelsea:

Outcome	Odds	Implied Probability
Arsenal Win (Home)	2.50	1/2.50 = 40.0%
Draw	3.25	1/3.25 = 30.8%
Chelsea Win (Away)	2.87	1/2.87 = 34.8%
Total		105.6%

Overround = 0.400 + 0.308 + 0.348 = 1.056
Margin = (1.056 - 1) x 100 = 5.6%

This means the bookmaker has built a 5.6% edge into this market. For every 100 units wagered across all three outcomes in proportion to the odds, the bookmaker expects to keep 5.6 units as profit.

Use our vig calculator to check any market instantly -- just enter the odds and see the exact margin, implied probabilities, and fair odds.

Implied Probability vs True Probability

This is where things get really important for finding value.

Implied probability = 1 / decimal odds. This is what the bookmaker's odds suggest the probability is, but it includes the margin.
True probability = implied probability / overround. This removes the margin to estimate the actual likelihood.
Fair odds = 1 / true probability. These are the odds you should be getting in a zero-margin market.

Let us continue with our Arsenal vs Chelsea example (overround = 1.056):

Outcome	Book Odds	Implied Prob	True Prob	Fair Odds
Arsenal Win	2.50	40.0%	37.9%	2.64
Draw	3.25	30.8%	29.1%	3.44
Chelsea Win	2.87	34.8%	33.0%	3.03
Total		105.6%	100.0%

Look at the difference: the bookmaker offers Arsenal at 2.50, but the fair odds are 2.64. That gap of 0.14 is the margin you are paying on that specific selection. Over hundreds of bets, those small differences add up to significant losses.

Where the Margin Goes

An important nuance: bookmakers do not always distribute the margin equally across all outcomes.

In practice:

Favourites often carry a smaller share of the margin. Bookmakers know sharp bettors focus on favourites, so they keep these prices competitive.
Longshots typically carry a disproportionate share of the margin. Recreational bettors love longshots for the potential payout and rarely calculate whether the odds represent value. Bookmakers exploit this by offering significantly worse-than-fair odds on unlikely outcomes.
The draw in football 1X2 markets often carries extra margin, as it is the hardest outcome for casual bettors to assess.

This phenomenon is well-documented in academic betting research and is sometimes called the favourite-longshot bias. Understanding it can help you focus your betting activity on markets and outcomes where the margin tax is smallest.

Typical Margins by Bookmaker

Not all bookmakers are created equal. The margin they charge varies enormously, and choosing where you bet can be just as important as choosing what you bet on.

Sharp Bookmakers (Low Margin)

Sharp bookmakers cater to informed, professional bettors. They offer tight margins and rarely restrict winning accounts (or at least are slower to do so).

Pinnacle: 1.5-3% on major football leagues. Widely considered the benchmark for sharp odds. They openly welcome winning bettors and never restrict accounts.
Betfair Exchange: 0% margin on the odds themselves, but charges 2-5% commission on net winnings. Often delivers better effective value than any traditional bookmaker.
Smarkets: 0% margin with just 2% commission on winnings. Even lower commission makes this an excellent choice for regular bettors.
SBO: 2-3% on major football. Popular among Asian market bettors for tight lines.

These bookmakers offer the closest thing to fair odds you will find. If you are serious about profitable betting, you should have accounts with at least one sharp bookmaker and one exchange.

Traditional Bookmakers (Higher Margin)

High-street and mainstream online bookmakers operate on higher margins. They invest heavily in marketing, bonuses, and user experience, but you pay for that through worse odds.

Bet365: 4-6% on major football markets. Competitive by traditional bookmaker standards, excellent market range.
William Hill: 5-8%. One of the oldest names in betting, but margins reflect the premium brand.
Ladbrokes/Coral: 5-8%. Part of the same group, similar pricing structure.
Paddy Power/Betfair Sportsbook: 4-7%. Note that Betfair Sportsbook operates independently from the Betfair Exchange with higher margins.
Sky Bet: 5-8%. Popular for football specials but margins can be steep.

Bookmaker Margin Comparison Table

Bookmaker	Typical Football Margin	Typical Tennis Margin	Notes
Pinnacle	1.5-3%	2-4%	Gold standard for sharp odds
Betfair Exchange	0% (+2-5% commission)	0% (+2-5% commission)	Best effective value for many markets
Smarkets	0% (+2% commission)	0% (+2% commission)	Lowest commission exchange
SBO	2-3%	3-4%	Strong Asian handicap markets
Bet365	4-6%	4-6%	Best market range among traditional books
William Hill	5-8%	5-8%	Higher margins, frequent promotions
Ladbrokes	5-8%	5-8%	High-street presence, higher margin
Paddy Power	4-7%	5-7%	Entertainment-focused, variable margins

The difference between a 2% margin at Pinnacle and a 7% margin at a traditional bookmaker is staggering over time. If you place 1,000 bets at an average stake of 10 units, the margin difference costs you 50 extra units -- money you simply give away by choosing the wrong bookmaker.

For our full breakdown of which bookmakers offer the best value, see our best bookmakers for value betting guide.

Typical Margins by Market Type

The market you bet on matters just as much as the bookmaker you use. Different market types carry very different margin levels.

Match Result (1X2): 3-8%

The traditional match result market has three possible outcomes (home win, draw, away win), which gives bookmakers more room to hide margin across multiple selections.

Premier League / Champions League: 3-6% at competitive bookmakers. High betting volume drives competition.
Championship / Europa League: 4-7%. Still well-covered but less liquid.
Lower leagues: 6-10% or higher. Less market data and lower betting volume allow bookmakers to charge more.

Over/Under Goals: 3-6%

With only two outcomes, over/under markets are generally more competitive:

Over/Under 2.5 Goals: The most popular line, typically 3-5% margin
Alternative lines (1.5, 3.5, etc.): Slightly higher at 4-6%
This is one of the best markets for value-conscious bettors

Both Teams to Score (BTTS): 3-6%

Another two-outcome market with competitive margins:

Typically 3-6% across major leagues
Often slightly higher margin than Over/Under due to less sharp-money activity
Read our BTTS betting strategy guide for more on this market

Asian Handicap: 2-5%

Asian handicaps are the sharpest market in football betting:

Only two outcomes (no draw possibility with quarter-line handicaps)
Heavily bet by professional syndicates, forcing bookmakers to offer tight margins
Pinnacle margins on Asian handicaps can be as low as 1.5-2%
If you are not already betting Asian handicaps, our Asian handicap guide explains everything

Correct Score: 15-30%

Here is where margins become genuinely punishing:

Many possible outcomes (typically 15-20+ selections in a single market)
Each outcome carries margin, and it compounds across so many options
Margins of 20-30% are common even at competitive bookmakers
Unless you have a very strong statistical edge, correct score markets are terrible value
Learn more in our correct score betting guide

Outright Markets: 10-30%

League winner, top goalscorer, relegation -- these markets carry enormous margins:

Many possible outcomes allow bookmakers to hide significant margin
Early-season outrights can carry 20-30% margin
Margins tend to shrink as the season progresses and the field narrows
If you bet outrights, do so early when odds are highest, but know you are paying a premium in margin

Margin by Market Summary

Market Type	Typical Margin Range	Number of Outcomes	Value Rating
Asian Handicap	2-5%	2	Excellent
Over/Under Goals	3-6%	2	Very Good
Both Teams to Score	3-6%	2	Good
Match Result (1X2)	3-8%	3	Good
Double Chance	4-8%	3	Average
Half-Time/Full-Time	8-15%	9	Poor
Correct Score	15-30%	15-20+	Very Poor
Outrights	10-30%	Many	Variable

The takeaway is clear: stick to two-outcome markets at sharp bookmakers for the lowest margin tax on your bets.

How Margin Affects Your Profits

Understanding margin in theory is one thing. Seeing its impact on your actual bottom line is another.

The Long-Term Impact

Every single bet you place, you effectively pay the margin. It is an invisible cost that compounds relentlessly over hundreds and thousands of bets.

To break even on a series of even-money bets (odds of 2.00), you need a 50% win rate. But bookmakers do not offer 2.00 on a true 50/50 proposition -- they offer something like 1.91. This means you need to win more often than 50% just to break even.

The higher the margin, the higher your required win rate:

Bookmaker Margin	Odds Offered (true 50/50)	Required Win Rate to Break Even	Extra Edge Needed
0% (Fair)	2.00	50.0%	0.0%
2%	1.96	51.0%	1.0%
4%	1.92	52.1%	2.1%
5%	1.90	52.6%	2.6%
6%	1.89	53.0%	3.0%
8%	1.85	54.1%	4.1%
10%	1.82	55.0%	5.0%

At a 2% margin, you need a 51% win rate -- very achievable for a skilled bettor. At an 8% margin, you need a 54.1% win rate -- a massive edge that even professional bettors struggle to maintain consistently. The margin you pay directly determines how much skill you need to be profitable.

Example: The Cost of 1,000 Bets

Let us make this concrete. Imagine you place 1,000 bets over a year at an average stake of 10 units each (10,000 units total wagered).

Scenario	Margin	Expected Cost	Your 1,000-Bet Result
Sharp bookmaker	2%	200 units	-200 units before edge
Average bookmaker	5%	500 units	-500 units before edge
High-margin bookmaker	8%	800 units	-800 units before edge

The difference between using a 2% margin bookmaker and an 8% margin bookmaker is 600 units over 1,000 bets. If your unit is 10 pounds, that is 6,000 pounds you are giving away simply by betting in the wrong place.

Now imagine you have a genuine 3% edge on your selections. At a 2% margin bookmaker, your net edge is +1% and you profit 100 units. At an 8% margin bookmaker, your net edge is -5% and you lose 500 units. Same skill, same selections, vastly different results.

Why Sharp Bettors Obsess Over Margin

Professional bettors typically operate on thin edges of 2-5%. That is the realistic range of advantage that even the best tipsters and models can achieve consistently. When your edge is that slim, every fraction of a percent matters.

This is why professionals:

Exclusively use sharp bookmakers and exchanges where margins are lowest
Never bet at high-margin bookmakers unless they have a specific promotional edge
Line shop across multiple bookmakers to find the best price on every bet
Focus on low-margin markets like Asian handicaps and over/under goals

If you want to bet like a professional, managing margin is not optional -- it is fundamental. Our value betting guide goes deeper into how to find genuine edges.

How to Find Low-Margin Bookmakers

Use Our Vig Calculator

The fastest way to check the margin on any market is our vig calculator. Simply enter the odds for each outcome and instantly see:

The exact margin percentage
Implied probability for each outcome (with margin)
True probability for each outcome (margin removed)
Fair odds for each outcome

Make it a habit to check the margin before placing any bet. If the margin is above 6-7%, you are paying too much and should look elsewhere.

Line Shopping (Odds Comparison)

Line shopping is the single most impactful thing you can do to reduce the margin you pay. The concept is simple: always compare odds across at least 5 bookmakers and take the best price available for your selection.

Here is how it works in practice:

Liverpool to beat Everton:

Bookmaker	Odds Offered
Pinnacle	1.85
Bet365	1.80
William Hill	1.78
Ladbrokes	1.75
Paddy Power	1.80

By taking Pinnacle's 1.85 instead of Ladbrokes' 1.75, you are getting significantly better value on the same bet. Over time, consistently taking the best available odds is equivalent to reducing the margin you pay by several percentage points.

Use odds comparison websites to quickly scan prices across bookmakers before every bet. The few seconds it takes to compare can save you hundreds or thousands of units over a betting career.

Betting Exchanges

Betting exchanges like Betfair and Smarkets operate on a fundamentally different model from traditional bookmakers. Instead of betting against the bookmaker, you bet against other punters.

Key advantages:

Zero margin on the odds themselves. The price is set by the market, not by a bookmaker building in profit.
Commission on winnings only. You pay 2-5% commission, but only when you win. Losing bets cost nothing extra.
Often better effective value than even the sharpest traditional bookmakers, especially on popular markets with high liquidity.
You can also lay bets (bet against an outcome), opening up strategies like matched betting and dutching.

For a full comparison of which bookmakers and exchanges offer the best value, see our best bookmakers for value betting guide.

Fair Odds: What You Should Be Getting

Fair odds represent the price you would receive in a market with zero bookmaker margin. They are always higher (better for the bettor) than the odds a bookmaker offers, because the margin has been stripped away.

Why fair odds matter:

They reveal the true cost of your bets. Comparing book odds to fair odds shows you exactly how much edge you are surrendering on each wager.
They help identify value. If your assessment of the true probability gives odds higher than the bookmaker's price -- and especially higher than fair odds -- you have found genuine value.
They allow accurate comparison. You can compare the margin you pay at different bookmakers by looking at how far each deviates from fair odds.

The value betting connection:

A value bet exists when you believe the true probability of an outcome is greater than what the bookmaker's implied probability suggests. Put another way, if you think the fair odds should be lower than what the bookmaker is offering, there is value.

For example:

Bookmaker offers Arsenal to win at 2.50 (implied probability 40.0%)
Fair odds (margin removed): 2.64 (true probability 37.9%)
Your estimated probability: 45% (your fair odds: 2.22)

Since your estimated probability (45%) is greater than both the bookmaker's implied probability (40.0%) and the true probability (37.9%), this is a clear value bet. The bookmaker is offering 2.50, but based on your analysis, fair odds would be just 2.22. You are getting paid more than the outcome is worth.

Use our value bet calculator to quickly assess whether any bet offers positive expected value, and our odds converter to switch between decimal, fractional, and American odds formats.

Common Margin Myths

"All bookmakers have the same odds"

FALSE. This is one of the most costly misconceptions in betting. Margins vary enormously between bookmakers -- Pinnacle might charge 2% on a Premier League match while a high-street bookmaker charges 8% on the same fixture. That is a fourfold difference in the hidden tax you pay. Always compare prices before betting.

"The margin doesn't matter for small bets"

FALSE. The margin is a percentage, not a fixed fee. Whether you bet 5 pounds or 5,000 pounds, you pay the same proportional margin. And crucially, margin compounds over hundreds of bets. A recreational bettor placing 200 bets per year at an average 6% margin is paying 12 units per 100 staked -- that adds up to real money over time, regardless of individual stake size.

"Exchange betting is always better"

MOSTLY TRUE, but with caveats. Exchanges offer zero margin on the odds, which is excellent. However, consider:

Commission: You pay 2-5% on winnings, which reduces effective value
Liquidity: Less popular markets may not have enough money available at good prices
Prices move: Exchange odds are dynamic and can change quickly
For highly liquid markets (Premier League, Champions League), exchanges almost always offer better effective value than traditional bookmakers

"Higher odds mean better value"

FALSE. This is a trap that catches many bettors. A bookmaker offering 3.00 on an outcome is not necessarily giving better value than one offering 2.80 on the same outcome. The first bookmaker might have a 10% overall margin while the second has only 3%. You need to look at the margin on the entire market, not just the price on one selection.

"The margin is too small to worry about"

FALSE. Even a 2% difference in margin translates to massive sums over a betting lifetime. Professional bettors who wager millions per year will tell you that margin management is one of the most important factors in their profitability. For recreational bettors placing smaller amounts, the same principle applies -- you are simply working with smaller numbers, but the proportional impact is identical.

Practical Tips: Fighting the Margin

Now that you understand what the margin is and how it affects your profits, here are concrete steps to minimise its impact:

Open accounts with sharp bookmakers. At minimum, have accounts with Pinnacle and at least one betting exchange (Betfair or Smarkets).
Always line shop. Never place a bet without checking the price at 3-5 bookmakers first. Take the best odds available.
Favour low-margin markets. Asian handicaps and over/under goals offer the tightest margins. Avoid correct score and outright markets unless you have a significant edge.
Use our tools. Check every market with our vig calculator before betting. If the margin is above 6%, consider whether it is worth the cost.
Track what you pay. Keep a record of the margin on every bet. Over time, you will see exactly how much you are paying and where you can improve.
Consider exchanges for popular markets. For Premier League and Champions League matches, exchange prices often beat even the sharpest bookmakers.
Look for arbitrage opportunities. When different bookmakers disagree significantly on prices, arbitrage opportunities can arise -- allowing you to profit regardless of the outcome.
Manage your bankroll properly. Even with good margin management, you need disciplined bankroll management to survive the inevitable losing runs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the vig in sports betting?

The vig (short for vigorish) is the commission or margin that a bookmaker builds into their odds. It ensures the bookmaker makes a profit regardless of the outcome. For example, a fair coin toss should be priced at 2.00 for each side, but a bookmaker might offer 1.91 for both -- the difference is the vig. It is also commonly called "juice," "margin," or "overround."

How is bookmaker margin calculated?

Bookmaker margin is calculated by summing the implied probabilities of all outcomes in a market. The formula is: add together (1 / odds) for every possible outcome. If the total exceeds 1.0, the excess represents the margin. For example, if the three outcomes in a 1X2 market have odds of 2.50, 3.25, and 2.87, the calculation is 1/2.50 + 1/3.25 + 1/2.87 = 1.056. The margin is 5.6%. You can check any market instantly with our vig calculator.

What is a good bookmaker margin?

For football match result (1X2) markets, anything under 3% is excellent (typically only available at sharp bookmakers like Pinnacle), 3-5% is good, 5-7% is average for traditional bookmakers, and anything above 7% is poor value. For two-outcome markets like Asian handicaps or over/under goals, margins should ideally be under 4%. The lower the margin, the less edge you need to be profitable.

Why do fair odds matter?

Fair odds represent the price you would receive if there were no bookmaker margin. Comparing fair odds to the odds you are actually being offered reveals exactly how much you are paying in hidden costs on every bet. Fair odds also provide a baseline for value assessment -- if you believe the true odds are shorter than what the bookmaker is offering, you have found a value bet. Use our value bet calculator to assess value on any selection.

Do all bookmakers have the same margin?

Absolutely not. Margins vary dramatically between bookmakers. Sharp bookmakers like Pinnacle typically charge 1.5-3% on major football markets, while traditional high-street bookmakers like William Hill or Ladbrokes may charge 5-8% on the same fixtures. Betting exchanges like Betfair and Smarkets technically have 0% margin on the odds, though they charge commission on winnings. This variation is why line shopping across multiple bookmakers is so important.

How can I reduce the impact of vig?

There are several effective strategies: (1) Open accounts with sharp, low-margin bookmakers and betting exchanges. (2) Always line shop -- compare odds across at least 5 bookmakers before placing any bet. (3) Focus on low-margin markets like Asian handicaps and over/under goals rather than high-margin markets like correct score. (4) Use betting exchanges for popular, high-liquidity markets. (5) Use our vig calculator to check the margin before every bet.

What is overround in betting?

Overround is the traditional British term for bookmaker margin. It refers to the total implied probability of all outcomes in a market exceeding 100%. A market with an overround of 105% has a 5% bookmaker margin. The term comes from the idea that the book is "over-round" -- the probabilities "round up" to more than 100%, with the excess being the bookmaker's profit. Overround and margin are effectively the same concept expressed in slightly different ways.

Is the margin the same for every outcome in a market?

No. Bookmakers typically distribute the margin unevenly across outcomes. Favourites tend to carry a smaller share of the margin because sharp bettors focus on them and keep prices competitive. Longshots usually carry a disproportionately large share of the margin because recreational bettors are attracted to big potential payouts and rarely calculate whether the odds represent value. This is known as the favourite-longshot bias.

What is the difference between vig and juice?

There is no difference -- they are synonyms. "Vig" (short for vigorish, a word with Yiddish and Russian origins) and "juice" both refer to the bookmaker's built-in margin on a market. "Vig" is slightly more formal, while "juice" is more colloquial slang. In Europe, the terms "margin" and "overround" are more commonly used. Regardless of terminology, they all describe the same concept: the hidden tax bookmakers apply to every betting market.

How do betting exchanges handle margins?

Betting exchanges like Betfair and Smarkets do not build a margin into the odds. Instead, the odds are set by bettors themselves through a system similar to a stock exchange -- one person offers odds, another accepts them. The exchange makes its money by charging a commission (typically 2-5%) on net winnings rather than through the odds. This model often results in better effective value for bettors, especially in popular markets with high liquidity.

Which bookmaker has the lowest margins?

For traditional bookmakers, Pinnacle consistently offers the lowest margins in the industry -- typically 1.5-3% on major football markets. They are openly aimed at sharp, professional bettors. Among betting exchanges, Smarkets offers 0% margin with just 2% commission on winnings, making it the cheapest exchange option. Betfair Exchange also has 0% margin but charges higher commission (typically 5% before loyalty discounts). For the full comparison, see our best bookmakers for value betting guide.

Does margin vary between sports?

Yes, significantly. Football tends to have some of the lowest margins due to the enormous betting volume and competition between bookmakers. Tennis and basketball also have relatively low margins on major events. Horse racing margins can vary widely -- from competitive on major races to very high on smaller meetings. Niche sports like darts, snooker, or handball tend to carry the highest margins because bookmakers have less data and less competition. Within any sport, major events (World Cup, Champions League) have lower margins than lower-tier competitions.

Conclusion

Bookmaker margins are the invisible cost of betting, and understanding them transforms how you approach every wager. Here are the key takeaways from this guide:

Bookmaker margin (vig) is the percentage above 100% that implied probabilities sum to. It is the bookmaker's guaranteed profit, built into every market.
Margins vary enormously -- from 1.5% at sharp bookmakers to 10%+ at high-street operators. Where you bet matters as much as what you bet on.
Market type matters too. Asian handicaps and over/under goals have the tightest margins. Correct score and outright markets are margin-heavy and should be approached with caution.
The long-term cost is significant. Even a few percentage points of extra margin can turn a profitable strategy into a losing one over hundreds of bets.
Line shopping is essential. Always compare odds across multiple bookmakers and take the best price available.
Betting exchanges offer the best effective value for popular, high-liquidity markets.
Use tools to stay informed. Check every market with our vig calculator and assess value with our value bet calculator.

Understanding margin is not a shortcut to guaranteed profits -- no such thing exists in betting. But it is the foundation upon which all intelligent betting is built. Combined with solid match analysis, disciplined bankroll management, and a consistent approach to finding value, managing the margin you pay gives you the best possible chance of long-term profitability.

Remember: Bet responsibly. Never bet more than you can afford to lose. Gambling should be entertaining, and if it stops being fun, seek help. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact BeGambleAware at www.begambleaware.org or call the National Gambling Helpline.