Closing Line Value (CLV)
The difference between the odds you bet at and the final odds at market close.
Closing Line Value measures whether you consistently beat the closing line — the final odds before a game starts. The closing line is considered the most efficient price because it incorporates the most information.
Consistently beating the closing line is the single best predictor of long-term sports betting profitability. Even if you're on a losing streak, positive CLV indicates your process is sound and results should improve over time.
Tracking CLV requires recording the odds you bet at and comparing them to the closing odds. A bettor who consistently gets +EV relative to the close is extracting value from the market.
Example
You bet Team A at -110. The line closes at -130. The closing line implies 56.5% win probability, but you paid only 52.4% implied. You had positive CLV of about 4%.
Related Terms
Expected Value (EV)
The average amount you can expect to win or lose per bet over time.
Sharp (Sharp Bettor)
A professional or highly skilled bettor whose action influences line movement.
Steam Move
A sudden, significant shift in odds caused by a large volume of sharp betting action.
No-Vig Odds
The true fair odds after removing the sportsbook's built-in margin.
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