Definition
Handle is the total dollar amount wagered on a sportsbook, sport, event, market, or bet type over a set period.
Formula:
Handle = sum of all wagered stakes
If 1,000 bets of $50 are placed on one NFL spread, the handle for that spread is $50,000. Handle measures betting volume, not sportsbook profit. A book can take a large handle and still lose money on the event if the winning side pays out more than the book keeps.
Worked Example
A sportsbook posts Chiefs -110 and Raiders -110.
Bettors place:
- $62,000 on Chiefs -110
- $38,000 on Raiders -110
Total handle:
$62,000 + $38,000 = $100,000
If the Chiefs cover, the book pays Chiefs bettors their winnings. At -110, a $110 stake wins $100. The $62,000 staked on Chiefs would win about $56,363.64 before returning stakes:
$62,000 / 110 × 100 = $56,363.64
Handle is still $100,000, regardless of which side wins.
Why It Matters
Handle helps a bettor understand where betting volume is concentrated. Comparing handle with ticket count can reveal whether larger average bets are landing on one side.