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 together: that is the total probability.
- Margin = 1 − 1 ÷ total.
With odds of 1.85 / 3.60 / 4.20 the total is 105.6% and the margin about 5.3%. Try your own odds:
An illustrative calculation, not a prediction. Margin = 1 − 1 ÷ (total probability).
What it means in practice
If you stake €100 in total on markets with a 5% margin, the expected cost is about €5, whatever you pick. You may win or lose on any one match, but the more you bet, the closer the result gets to the cost of the margin.
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%.