Vig (short for vigorish, also called juice) is the commission sportsbooks charge on bets. It\'s built into the odds and represents the book\'s profit margin. Standard vig on spread bets is about 4.5%, which is why you typically see -110 on both sides instead of even money. Understanding vig is essential for any serious bettor because it is the primary obstacle between you and long-term profitability. The vig means you must win more than 50% of your even-odds bets just to break even—at -110, you need to win 52.4% of the time. Every bet you place includes this hidden cost, and reducing it through line shopping is one of the easiest ways to improve your bottom line.
Example
On a coin flip, fair odds would be +100 on both sides. But sportsbooks offer -110/-110. If you bet $110 to win $100, the book keeps $10 from the loser. Over two equal $110 bets on opposite sides, they collect $220 and pay out $210, keeping $10 (4.5%). The vig varies significantly across markets and sportsbooks. A prop bet might be listed at -120/-110, where the combined implied probability is 54.5% + 52.4% = 106.9%, giving a 6.9% vig. Comparing this to a sharp book offering -104/-104 on the same market (a 3.8% vig) shows how much money bettors can save by shopping for the best lines.
Common Questions
How much vig do sportsbooks charge?
How much vig do sportsbooks charge?
Standard vig on spreads and totals is about 4.5% (-110/-110). Moneylines vary widely from 2% to 8% or more depending on the sport, the specific matchup, and the book. Prop bets often carry 8-15% vig, which is why they tend to be the least profitable markets for bettors. Sharp books like Pinnacle charge 2-3% on major markets by operating on high volume and thin margins. Recreational sportsbooks charge more because they offer promotions, bonuses, and a more polished user experience that they fund through higher vig.
How do I calculate the vig?
How do I calculate the vig?
Convert both sides to implied probability and add them together. The amount over 100% is the vig (also called the overround). Example: -110/-110 converts to 52.4% + 52.4% = 104.8%. The 4.8% overround is the vig. For moneylines like -150/+130, it's 60% + 43.5% = 103.5%, so the vig is 3.5%. You can also use a vig calculator tool to automate this process. Lower vig means fairer odds for the bettor, so comparing vig across books helps you identify where to place your money.
Can I avoid paying vig?
Can I avoid paying vig?
You can't avoid vig entirely since it's how sportsbooks make money, but you can minimize its impact significantly. Shop for the best lines across multiple books—even small differences like -108 vs -110 add up over hundreds of bets. Use reduced juice books that offer -105 or better on standard markets. Focus on markets with lower vig, such as major game spreads instead of obscure props. Most importantly, +EV betting overcomes the vig by finding situations where the odds offered exceed the true probability, giving you a mathematical edge despite the built-in cost.
Why does vig matter for +EV betting?
Why does vig matter for +EV betting?
Vig is the hurdle that every bettor must overcome to be profitable. When you calculate expected value, the vig is already factored into the odds you're evaluating. A +EV bet is one where the sportsbook's odds are generous enough to overcome their built-in margin and still leave profit for you. Lower vig markets give you more opportunities to find +EV bets because the sportsbook's edge is smaller, meaning even slight mispricing can tip the math in your favor. This is why sharp bettors gravitate toward low-vig books and markets. Over the course of a year, the difference between betting at -110 versus -105 on every wager can amount to thousands of dollars in savings.