The margin in one sentence
The margin is the share of every stake the operator keeps over time. You can see it when you add up the implied probabilities of every outcome in a market: the total is always above 100%.
The calculation
- For each outcome, divide 1 by the odds.
- Add the results: that is the total probability.
- Margin = 1 − 1 ÷ total.
For example, with odds of 1.85 / 3.60 / 4.20 the total is 105.6% and the margin about 5.3%. Try the odds of a market you are looking at:
An illustrative calculation, not a prediction. Margin = 1 − 1 ÷ (total probability).
What it means in practice
For example, if you stake €100 in total on markets with a 5% margin, the expected cost is about €5, whatever you choose. On a single match you may come out ahead or behind, but the more you bet, the more the overall result tends towards the cost of the margin.
Two markets, two margins
| Market (example) | Odds | Total | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Two outcomes | 1.90 / 1.90 | 105.3% | 5.0% |
| Three outcomes | 1.85 / 3.60 / 4.20 | 105.6% | 5.3% |
The numbers are examples for the calculation, not any operator’s prices.
Frequently asked questions
Is the margin the same in every market?
No. Each market has its own. Markets with many possible outcomes usually have a bigger margin.
Can it be zero?
If the probabilities add up to exactly 100%, the margin is zero. In practice operators price above 100%.
If I always choose the shortest odds, do I avoid the margin?
No. The margin is spread across every outcome in the market, so you pay it whichever selection you make.