The vig (short for vigorish, also called juice) is the sportsbook's built-in fee. Instead of paying even money, books price both sides a little worse than a fair coin flip, and that gap is how they make money no matter who wins.
Worked example (standard -110 on both sides):
Why bettors care: - At -110 you need to win about 52.4% of bets just to break even, not 50% - On a $100 bet at -110 you win $90.91. At -105 you'd win $95.24. Small differences add up over a season - Props, parlays and futures often carry much more vig than standard spreads and totals
This is the main reason people "shop lines" across several books: finding -105 instead of -110 is like a small discount on every bet.
Do you pay attention to the juice when you bet, or mostly look at the line? Have you noticed which bet types seem to have the worst pricing?
21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-MY-RESET.
Worked example (standard -110 on both sides):
- Bet $110 to win $100 on either team
- If one person bets each side, the book takes in $220
- It pays the winner $210 ($110 stake + $100 profit) and keeps $10
- -110 → 110 ÷ 210 ≈ 52.38%
- Both sides together ≈ 104.76%
Why bettors care: - At -110 you need to win about 52.4% of bets just to break even, not 50% - On a $100 bet at -110 you win $90.91. At -105 you'd win $95.24. Small differences add up over a season - Props, parlays and futures often carry much more vig than standard spreads and totals
This is the main reason people "shop lines" across several books: finding -105 instead of -110 is like a small discount on every bet.
Do you pay attention to the juice when you bet, or mostly look at the line? Have you noticed which bet types seem to have the worst pricing?
21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-MY-RESET.