ChalkEdge Guides: Bet With Math, Not Hunches
Short, plain-English guides to the ideas behind every number on ChalkEdge. Read them in order or jump to the one you need.
What Is +EV Betting?
Expected value (EV) is how much a bet wins or loses on average if you could make it thousands of times. A +EV bet pays more than its real chance deserves.
How Pick'em Payouts Work
Pick'em apps don't show odds on each pick. They pay a fixed multiplier on the whole entry, and that multiplier decides how good each pick has to be.
Vig, Hold and Fair Odds
Every sportsbook price has a small fee built in, called the vig or juice. Remove it and you get the fair price: the market's best guess at the real chance.
Why Sharp Books Matter
Some sportsbooks welcome winning bettors and move their lines when they bet. Those books end up with the most accurate prices in the market.
Line Shopping and Line Movement
The same bet can have a different price at every book. Taking the best one is the simplest edge there is, and watching how prices move tells you where the smart money went.
Bankroll Management and Kelly
Finding good bets is half the job. Sizing them so you survive the losing streaks is the other half.
Prediction Markets Explained
On exchanges like Kalshi, Polymarket and Novig you buy a contract that pays $1 if it wins. The price in cents is the market's chance.
How to Research a Player Prop
A five-step routine that works for tennis, esports, UFC, darts, table tennis and cricket props.
Put it to work
Every number in these guides is on ChalkEdge for tennis, esports, UFC, darts, table tennis and cricket, updated all day.