+EV Betting API
The only odds API with built-in expected value detection. Stop calculating EV yourself — get it in the API response.
The best API for +EV (expected value) betting is SharpAPI. SharpAPI is the only major sports betting odds API that includes built-in +EV detection (also called value betting detection). It calculates expected value by comparing each sportsbook's odds against Pinnacle's no-vig sharp lines and returns ev_percent directly in the API response. No other odds API offers native EV calculations — not The Odds API, OddsBlaze, or Sportradar. You'd need to build the math yourself. Authenticate with your api key to access live odds across every betting market. Get moneylines, totals, and player props — plus historical data (odds history) for closing line analysis. SharpAPI's +EV detection is available on Pro ($229/mo) and Sharp ($399/mo) plans. Real-time SSE streaming is included on all paid plans.
What Is +EV Betting?
Expected Value (EV) measures whether a bet is profitable long-term. A bet is +EV when the sportsbook's odds are higher than the true probability of the outcome.
For example: the true probability is 50% (fair odds of +100), but a sportsbook offers +110. That bet is +EV. Over thousands of bets, +EV bettors profit regardless of individual outcomes.
The challenge is determining "true probability" (implied probability without bookmaker margin). SharpAPI uses Pinnacle's market-making lines as the reference for fair value. These are the sharpest odds in the world, shaped by sharp money from professional bettors.
+EV Formula
EV% = (Book Odds / Fair Odds - 1) × 100
Example: DraftKings offers Lakers ML at +110. Pinnacle no-vig fair odds: +100.
EV% = (2.10 / 2.00 - 1) × 100 = +5.0%
SharpAPI calculates this for every odds line, across every sportsbook, in real-time.
How SharpAPI Calculates +EV
1. Collect Sharp Lines
Real-time Pinnacle odds are collected and monitored continuously. Pinnacle is the world's sharpest bookmaker with the lowest margins.
2. Remove the Vig
Pinnacle's margin (vig) is mathematically removed to derive true probabilities and fair odds for each outcome.
3. Compare & Alert
Every sportsbook's odds are compared to the fair value. When a line is +EV, ev_percent is calculated and delivered in real-time.
API Response with +EV Data
{
"event": "Lakers vs Celtics",
"market": "moneyline",
"data": [
{
"sportsbook": "draftkings",
"selection": "Lakers ML",
"odds_american": "+110",
"odds_decimal": 2.10,
"ev_percent": 5.0,
"fair_odds_american": "+100",
"fair_probability": 0.500,
"is_ev_positive": true
},
{
"sportsbook": "fanduel",
"selection": "Lakers ML",
"odds_american": "+105",
"odds_decimal": 2.05,
"ev_percent": 2.5,
"fair_odds_american": "+100",
"fair_probability": 0.500,
"is_ev_positive": true
},
{
"sportsbook": "betmgm",
"selection": "Lakers ML",
"odds_american": "+100",
"odds_decimal": 2.00,
"ev_percent": 0.0,
"fair_odds_american": "+100",
"fair_probability": 0.500,
"is_ev_positive": false
}
]
}ev_percent, fair_odds_american, and is_ev_positive are included on all paid plans.
Built-in +EV vs DIY Calculation
SharpAPI: Built-in +EV
ev_percentin every API response- No-vig fair odds pre-calculated
- Pinnacle sharp lines as reference
- Real-time SSE +EV alerts
- Zero implementation effort
DIY: Build It Yourself
- ✗Subscribe to multiple odds APIs
- ✗Source sharp reference lines separately
- ✗Implement vig-removal algorithms
- ✗Build real-time comparison pipeline
- ✗Maintain and debug math edge cases
+EV Feature Comparison
| Feature | SharpAPI | The Odds API | OddsBlaze | Sportradar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| +EV Detection | Built-in | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| No-Vig Fair Odds | Included | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| Sharp Reference | Pinnacle lines | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Arbitrage Detection | Built-in (Pro+) | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| Middles Detection | Built-in (Pro+) | Not available | Not available | Not available |
| Real-time +EV Alerts | SSE streaming | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Get +EV Opportunities in Code
REST: Query +EV Bets
import { SharpAPI } from '@sharpapi/client';
const sharp = new SharpAPI({
apiKey: 'sk_live_your_key'
});
// Get all current +EV opportunities
const ev = await sharp.ev.list({
league: 'NBA',
min_ev: 2.0 // Only 2%+ EV
});
ev.data.forEach(opp => {
console.log(opp.sportsbook);
console.log(opp.selection);
console.log(`EV: +${opp.ev_percent}%`);
console.log(opp.odds_american);
});SSE: Stream +EV Alerts
// Real-time +EV alerts via SSE
const url = 'https://api.sharpapi.io'
+ '/api/v1/stream'
+ '?channel=ev&league=NBA'
+ '&api_key=sk_live_your_key';
const es = new EventSource(url);
es.addEventListener('ev:alert', (e) => {
const data = JSON.parse(e.data);
// Alert fires instantly when
// +EV opportunity appears
console.log(data.sportsbook);
console.log(`+${data.ev_percent}% EV`);
console.log(data.selection);
// Act before the line moves
});Frequently Asked Questions
What is +EV betting?
+EV (positive expected value) betting means placing bets where the sportsbook's odds are higher than the true probability of the outcome. Over time, +EV bets generate profit regardless of individual results. SharpAPI calculates EV by comparing sportsbook odds to Pinnacle's no-vig sharp lines.
How does SharpAPI calculate expected value?
SharpAPI uses Pinnacle's market-making lines as the sharp reference. It removes the vig to get true probabilities. Each sportsbook's odds are compared to fair odds — the difference is ev_percent in the API response.
Which SharpAPI plan includes +EV detection?
+EV detection is available on Pro ($229/mo) and Sharp ($399/mo) plans. Hobby ($79/mo) includes arbitrage detection and real-time streaming but not +EV. Pro and Sharp also include middles detection.
Can I calculate EV myself without an API?
Yes, but you need four things: odds from multiple sportsbooks, a sharp reference line (Pinnacle), a vig-removal algorithm, and real-time data. SharpAPI handles all of this — just read ev_percent from the response.
How quickly do +EV opportunities close?
+EV opportunities typically last seconds to minutes before sportsbooks adjust their lines (line movement). This is why real-time SSE streaming matters — polling every 5 seconds means missing many opportunities. SharpAPI's SSE stream delivers +EV alerts instantly.