By
Eric Pauly
Jan 29, 2026
5 min read
What Is a Positive EV Tool in Sports Betting?
Beating the sportsbooks consistently isn’t about luck or gut feeling; it’s about finding value. More specifically, it’s about positive expected value. A positive EV betting tool helps you identify wagers where the odds are in your favor, giving you a mathematical edge and giving you the chance to profit over time.
In this article, we’ll break down what a +EV tool is, how it works, and how platforms like Pick The Odds make finding +EV bets fast, repeatable, and automatic. Read our Pick the Odds review.
Positive Expected Value In Betting
EV stands for expected value, which is one of the most fundamental concepts in sports betting. Every bet you place either has a positive or a negative expected value. The goal of sports betting is to place as many bets as possible with positive expected value, as it will help you profit over time.
Defining Expected Value in Sports Betting
Expected value (EV) is the mathematical calculation of what a bet is worth over time. A +EV bet means you’ll profit in the long run if you place the same bet hundreds of times.
For example:
Bet: +150 odds
Your true win probability: 45%
EV = (0.45 × $150) – (0.55 × $100) = +$12.50
That’s a +EV bet—and exactly what these tools are built to find.
The Role of Expected Value in Betting
Expected value (EV) is the cornerstone of sharp betting. It calculates the average return of a bet if it were placed thousands of times. If a bet has a positive expected value (EV), it means the potential reward outweighs the risk, even if it doesn’t win every time.
A positive EV betting tool automates this process by analyzing real-time odds, probabilities, and line movement to identify profitable opportunities.
Why Finding +EV Bets Manually Isn’t Enough
You can calculate EV manually, but by the time you do the math, the line has likely moved. Markets are dynamic, and +EV bets may only exist for a few seconds. The best sports betting tools do the math for you.
That’s why EV betting software is crucial. It monitors multiple sportsbooks, runs calculations in real time, and flags bets that offer a sports betting edge before the market corrects itself. One of the easiest ways to achieve a positive expected value is to line shop, and having a tool that automates this process is essential.
Example
How EV Betting Tools Work
Now that we have an understanding of what expected value is and why it is essential, we can begin to understand how these positive EV tools help sports bettors. With markets moving quickly and different sportsbooks being more efficient in different markets, understanding how these tools can help you profit in the long run will make you a better sports bettor.
The Math Behind Positive Expected Value Bets
Here’s the basic EV formula:
EV = (Win Probability × Profit if Win) – (Loss Probability × Amount Risked)
Let’s say a sportsbook offers +130 on a bet you think has a 45% chance of hitting:
Win: 0.45 × $130 = $58.50
Lose: 0.55 × $100 = $55.00
EV = $58.50 – $55.00 = +3.50
That’s a profitable wager long-term, which is a true positive expected value bet. Positive EV betting tools do this math for you, and also base the probabilities on the market. So, instead of having to do this math, the right +EV tools do it for you and also compare the odds to the market, giving you a better indicator of what the fair odds and the EV of every bet are.
Key Features to Look For in EV Software
A good EV bet finder should offer:
Real-time odds scanning across sportsbooks
Implied probability calculations
Historical market data or closing line comparisons
Filters by sport, league, bet type, and EV threshold
Alerts or visual cues when value is detected
These features allow you to find +EV bets efficiently and consistently. Also, customization is very important. There is no one-size-fits-all way to calculate EV in each market, so having the ability to generate your calculations using a tool like Pick The Odds is essential.
Using Pick The Odds to Find +EV Bets
A few sports betting tools have +EV functionality, meaning they can identify these situations in real time. That said, some tools offer more markets, customization options, and sportsbooks available, giving you a significantly better chance of gaining an edge and winning. Pick The Odds is the most customizable positive EV tool, and one of the best on the market.
Real-Time EV Calculations
Pick The Odds is a high-speed positive EV betting tool built for serious bettors. It constantly scans sportsbook markets and calculates real-time expected value across sides, totals, and player props.
The platform updates odds every 1.6 seconds, ensuring you're always working with the most current lines, crucial for identifying short-lived opportunities. They have 110+ sportsbooks at your disposal, so you can find value across various markets and customize weights at a granular level.
Filters, Customization, and Alerts
One of Pick The Odds’ biggest strengths is its customization. You can:
Filter by bet type, sport, or league
Set EV thresholds (e.g., show only bets with 4%+ EV)
Adjust settings based on personal models or risk tolerance
Get real-time visual indicators when a +EV bet surfaces
Whether you're looking for one specific market or scanning a full slate, the tool adapts to your workflow. You can save your filters and create multiple ones so you are in total control of the entire +EV process.
Try Pick The Odds for FREE.
Example
Let’s say you’re browsing for NFL props. Pick The Odds shows that Player A over 54.5 receiving yards is priced at +110 on one book but -105 elsewhere.
You hover over the line to see implied probability vs the market average
The platform flags it as +5.2% EV based on consensus pricing
You click through directly to the sportsbook to lock it in before the line moves
That entire process takes under 30 seconds, and that’s what makes EV betting tools so valuable.
EV Betting Tools Summarized
A positive EV betting tool takes the guesswork out of wagering by turning data into actionable betting opportunities. The more bets you place with correctly calculated +EV, the more you will make in sports betting over time.
If you’re looking to level up your edge and automate your value-finding process, check out our Pick The Odds review.
Try Pick the Odds for FREE.
Final Thoughts
A positive EV betting tool helps you bet with a long-term edge by automatically identifying value the market hasn’t corrected yet, saving you time and boosting your profitability. Pick The Odds is the best +EV sports betting tool on the market. Try it for FREE.
Positive EV Betting FAQ
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