What is the closing line, and what is closing line value?
The closing line is the last line and price before the game starts. Closing line value (CLV) means you got a better number or price than that. Because the closing line holds the most information, beating it often is a sign of good timing.
An example
You bet Over 22.5 points at -110 in the morning. By tip-off the line is 23.5 at -110. You got a full point of closing line value.
Why it matters
One bet's result is mostly luck. Over hundreds of bets, regularly beating the close is one of the few measures that tracks long-run results. Studies of large betting markets keep finding the closing line hard to beat.
How to track it
Write down the line and price when you bet and the closing ones. PropLab's My Picks shows whether each tracked bet beat the close.
Questions
Does beating the closing line mean I'll win?
No. It's a good sign over a large number of bets, not a promise. Any one bet can lose.