What is vig in sports betting?

Vig (short for vigorish, also called juice) is the commission a sportsbook charges on each bet. It is built into the odds. The standard vig is reflected in -110 odds on each side - you risk $110 to win $100, and the extra $10 is the bookmaker's fee. The vig ensures the sportsbook profits regardless of the outcome.

How is vig calculated?

Vig is calculated by adding the implied probabilities of all outcomes and subtracting 100%. For -110/-110 odds: each side has a 52.38% implied probability. The total is 104.76%, so the vig is 4.76%. For -150/+130: 60% + 43.5% = 103.5%, so the vig is 3.5%.

What is a good vig to look for?

Lower vig means better value. Typical vig on NFL spreads is 4-5%. Sharp sportsbooks like Pinnacle offer 2-3% vig on major markets. Betting exchanges offer the lowest vig at 1-2% but charge a commission on winnings. Prop bets and parlays typically have higher vig (8-15%).

How does vig affect my long-term results?

Vig directly impacts how often you need to win to break even. At standard -110 odds, you need to win 52.38% of bets. At -105 odds (reduced vig), you only need 51.22%. Over 1,000 bets, this difference amounts to 11.6 fewer wins needed - potentially thousands of dollars.

What is Vig? Understanding the Bookmaker's Margin

The vig (vigorish/juice) is the hidden cost of every sports bet. Understanding how it works and how to minimize it is essential for long-term profitability.

How the Vig Works

In a perfectly fair market, a coin flip bet would pay +100 on each side (even money). But sportsbooks need to make money, so they shade the odds. The standard is -110 on both sides, meaning you risk $110 to win $100.

The Math of -110/-110

Side A implied probability: 110 / 210 = 52.38%

Side B implied probability: 110 / 210 = 52.38%

Total: 104.76%

Vig = 104.76% - 100% = 4.76%

If the book takes $110 on each side ($220 total), they pay out $210 to the winner and keep $10 (4.55% of handle).

Vig by Bet Type

Bet Type	Typical Vig	Break-Even Win%
Spread/Total (-110)	4.5-5%	52.4%
Reduced Juice (-105)	2.4%	51.2%
Moneylines (MLB)	3-5%	Varies
Prop Bets	8-15%	54-57%
Parlays (book odds)	10-30%	Compounding
Betting Exchange	1-2%	50.5-51%

How to Find the Best Lines

Shop multiple books

The single most effective way to reduce vig is to have accounts at multiple sportsbooks and always bet the best available line. Getting -108 instead of -110 on every bet saves you thousands over a year.

Use reduced juice books

Some books offer -105 or -107 lines instead of -110. While the difference seems small, it cuts your vig nearly in half and significantly reduces how often you need to win to profit.

Avoid high-vig bet types

Props and parlays carry the highest vig. If you bet props, shop aggressively. For parlays, use books that pay true parlay odds (multiplied decimal odds) rather than fixed payout tables.

Use our Vig Calculator and Hold Calculator to analyze the vig on any market.