What is Vig (Juice) in Sports Betting?
How sportsbooks make money on every bet you place
6 min read
The Simple Definition
Vig (vigorish) or juice is the sportsbook's commission—the built-in fee you pay on every bet.
Think of it like a transaction fee. When you see -110 odds on both sides of a bet, that's the vig in action. You're risking $110 to win $100, while someone on the other side is doing the same. The sportsbook collects $10 from the loser regardless of who wins.
How the Vig Works: A Visual Example
Chiefs vs Bills: Point Spread at -110/-110
Person A bets Chiefs -3
Risks: $110
To win: $100
vs
Person B bets Bills +3
Risks: $110
To win: $100
Total in the pot: $220
Winner gets back: $210 (their $110 + $100 profit)
Sportsbook keeps: $10 (the vig)
This $10 on a $220 pot represents a 4.55% house edge. It doesn't matter who wins—the sportsbook profits either way (assuming equal action on both sides).
How to Calculate the Vig
To find the vig, convert odds to implied probability and add them up:
Example: -110 on both sides
Side A: -110 → 110 ÷ 210 = 52.38% implied probability
Side B: -110 → 110 ÷ 210 = 52.38% implied probability
Total: 52.38% + 52.38% = 104.76%
Vig = 104.76% - 100% = 4.76%
If the implied probabilities add up to exactly 100%, there's no vig (a "fair" line). Anything over 100% is profit margin for the sportsbook.
Typical Vig by Market Type
| Market Type | Typical Vig | Standard Odds | Break-Even Win % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Point Spreads | 4-5% | -110/-110 | 52.38% |
| Totals (Over/Under) | 4-5% | -110/-110 | 52.38% |
| Moneylines (close games) | 3-5% | -105/-115 | ~52% |
| Moneylines (heavy favorites) | 5-8% | -300/+240 | Varies |
| Player Props | 6-10% | Varies widely | 53-55% |
| Parlays | 15-25% | Compounded | Much higher |
Note: Parlays have higher vig because errors compound. See our parlays vs straight bets guide.
Why the Vig Makes Betting So Hard
The vig is why 97% of sports bettors lose money long-term. Here's the math:
Scenario: 1,000 bets at -110 odds with 50% win rate
• Wins: 500 × $100 profit = +$50,000
• Losses: 500 × $110 lost = -$55,000
• Net result: -$5,000 (despite winning half your bets!)
Even with zero skill, you'd expect to win 50% by random chance. But 50% isn't enough—you need 52.38%+ to break even. That's the vig working against you.
How to Overcome the Vig
You can't eliminate the vig, but you can minimize its impact and find edges that exceed it:
- Line shop for reduced juice
Some books offer -105 instead of -110, cutting the vig nearly in half. Always compare FanDuel vs DraftKings.
- Focus on +EV bets
Find bets where your edge exceeds the vig. If true probability is 55% and implied is 52%, you have a profitable edge.
- Avoid high-vig markets
Player props and parlays have much higher vig. Stick to main markets where competition keeps vig lower.
- Use the FairLine™
+EV Bets removes the vig to show true probabilities, helping you identify when sportsbooks have mispriced a line.
Beat the Vig with +EV Betting
Our FairLine™ removes the vig to show true probabilities. Get 5 free picks daily.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is vig (juice) in sports betting?
Vig (short for vigorish) or juice is the commission sportsbooks charge on every bet. It's built into the odds. At standard -110 odds on both sides, the vig is approximately 4.55%. This is how sportsbooks guarantee profit regardless of game outcomes.
How do I calculate the vig?
Add the implied probabilities of all outcomes. If they total more than 100%, the excess is the vig. For example, -110/-110 implies 52.4% on each side = 104.8% total. The 4.8% excess is the vig the sportsbook keeps.
Is there a way to avoid paying vig?
You can't avoid vig entirely, but you can minimize it by: shopping for the best lines (-105 instead of -110), using reduced juice sportsbooks, and focusing on +EV bets where your edge exceeds the vig cost.
What is a "no vig" or "fair" line?
A no-vig or fair line removes the sportsbook's commission to show the true implied probability. If the market has Team A at -110 and Team B at -110, the no-vig fair line would be +100 on each side (50/50). +EV Bets uses the FairLine™ to show these true probabilities.
Why does the vig make sports betting hard to win?
The vig means you need to win more than 50% of your bets to profit. At -110 odds, you must win 52.38% just to break even. Over thousands of bets, this edge compounds against you unless you consistently find +EV opportunities.