What is Vigorish (Vig)?

Quick Definition

Vigorish (also called vig, juice, or the take) is the built-in commission that sportsbooks charge for accepting your bets. It's why standard odds are -110 instead of -100 (even money).

The vig ensures the sportsbook makes money regardless of which side wins. Think of it as the "service fee" for placing your bet—similar to how credit card companies charge merchants a percentage on every transaction. This commission is built directly into the odds, making it invisible to casual bettors but critically important to understand for anyone serious about sports betting profitability.

Understanding vigorish is the foundation of successful sports betting. Without accounting for vig in your strategy, you're essentially fighting an uphill battle where winning 50% of your bets still results in losing money over time.

How Vig Works: Detailed Examples Across Sports

NFL Point Spread Example

Game: Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills

• Chiefs -3 (-110)
• Bills +3 (-110)

Scenario: You want to bet $110 on the Chiefs -3.

Outcome if Chiefs win by 4+:

• Your bet wins
• You receive: $210 ($110 stake + $100 profit)
• Net profit: $100

Outcome if Chiefs win by 2 or less / lose:

• Your bet loses
• You receive: $0
• Net loss: $110

The vig impact: Notice you risk $110 to win $100. That extra $10 you risk is the vig. If odds were "fair" at -100 (even money), you'd risk $100 to win $100. The sportsbook's -110 pricing means you need to win 52.38% of your bets just to break even, not the 50% that would be required at fair odds.

From the sportsbook's perspective: If they take $110,000 on the Chiefs and $110,000 on the Bills (balanced action), they pay out $210,000 to the winners but collected $220,000 total. Their guaranteed profit: $10,000, regardless of the game outcome.

NBA Totals (Over/Under) Example

Game: Los Angeles Lakers vs Boston Celtics

• Total: 224.5 points
• Over 224.5 (-110)
• Under 224.5 (-110)

Scenario: You bet $550 on Over 224.5 points.

Final score: Lakers 118, Celtics 109 = 227 total points

Result:

• Your Over bet wins
• You receive: $1,050 ($550 stake + $500 profit)
• Return on investment: 90.9% (you risked $550 to profit $500)

The vig calculation: At -110, your implied probability is 52.38%. However, if you add both sides: 52.38% (Over) + 52.38% (Under) = 104.76%. In a fair market, both sides would total exactly 100%. That extra 4.76% represents the sportsbook's built-in edge—the vigorish.

Over 100 similar bets: If you win exactly 52 of 100 bets at $110 each:

• 52 wins × $100 profit = $5,200
• 48 losses × $110 loss = -$5,280
• Net result: -$80 (you lose despite winning 52%)

MLB Moneyline Example

Game: New York Yankees at Tampa Bay Rays

• Yankees -165
• Rays +145

Scenario: You want to bet on the Yankees as favorites.

Yankees bet:

• To win $100, you must bet $165
• If Yankees win: You receive $265 ($165 stake + $100 profit)
• If Yankees lose: You lose $165

Rays bet:

• To win $145, you must bet $100
• If Rays win: You receive $245 ($100 stake + $145 profit)
• If Rays lose: You lose $100

Calculating the vig in moneylines:

• Yankees -165 = 62.26% implied probability
• Rays +145 = 40.82% implied probability
• Total: 103.08%
• Vig: 3.08% (the amount over 100%)

Real-world impact: Let's say you bet $165 on Yankees favorites in 100 games where they're truly 60% likely to win:

• 60 wins × $100 profit = $6,000
• 40 losses × $165 loss = -$6,600
• Net result: -$600 loss despite backing the favorite who won 60% of games

This demonstrates why even accurate handicapping must overcome the vig hurdle to be profitable.

Soccer (Premier League) Three-Way Moneyline Example

Match: Manchester City vs Arsenal

• Manchester City Win: -120
• Draw: +240
• Arsenal Win: +350

Vig calculation with three-way markets:

• Man City -120 = 54.55% implied probability
• Draw +240 = 29.41% implied probability
• Arsenal +350 = 22.22% implied probability
• Total: 106.18%
• Vig: 6.18%

Why soccer has higher vig: Three-way markets (win-draw-win) typically carry higher vigorish than two-way markets because the sportsbook must balance three outcomes instead of two, increasing their risk management costs. This is why you'll often see 5-7% vig on soccer matches compared to 4-5% on NFL spreads.

Example bet: $120 on Manchester City to win

• If Man City wins: Receive $220 ($120 stake + $100 profit)
• If draw or Arsenal wins: Lose $120
• Break-even requirement: 54.55% win rate

Vig Comparison Across Markets and Sportsbooks

Market Type	Standard Odds	Implied Probability Total	Vig Percentage	Win Rate Needed	$100 Bet Risk/Reward
NFL/NBA Spread (Standard)	-110 / -110	104.76%	4.55%	52.38%	Risk $110 to win $100
Reduced Juice Sportsbook	-105 / -105	102.38%	2.38%	51.22%	Risk $105 to win $100
MLB Moneyline (Average)	-150 / +130	106.67%	6.67%	Varies	Risk $150 to win $100 (fav)
Soccer Three-Way	Varies	106-108%	6-8%	Varies	Depends on selection
Player Props	-115 / -115	106.98%	6.98%	53.49%	Risk $115 to win $100
2-Team Parlay	+260 (pays 2.6:1)	~110%	10%	27.78%	Risk $100 to win $260
Betting Exchange	2.0 / 2.0 (even)	100% + 2-5% comm.	2-5% (on wins)	50% + commission	Risk $100 to win $95-98

Key Takeaway: A bettor making 100 bets of $110 at standard -110 odds with a 53% win rate would profit $380. The same bettor at -105 odds would profit $780—more than double the profit just by shopping for better lines. Over a year with 1,000 bets, that's a difference of $3,800 vs $7,800 in profit from the exact same handicapping ability.

When to Focus on Vig Reduction vs When It Matters Less

Situations Where Vig Reduction is Critical

High-volume betting: If you place 500+ bets per year, reducing vig from -110 to -105 can add thousands to your annual profit. A professional bettor making 2,000 bets annually at $500 average stake with a 54% win rate would see approximately $14,000 more profit per year at -105 vs -110.

Close-to-break-even handicapping: If your win rate hovers around 52-53%, the difference between -110 and -105 is literally the difference between losing money and making a profit. At 52.5% wins over 1,000 bets, you'd lose $500 at -110 odds but profit $1,250 at -105 odds.

Competitive markets: In NFL and NBA where information is widely available and edges are small, every fraction of a percentage point matters. The best bettors in these markets often win at only 53-55% rates, making vig reduction essential to profitability.

Arbitrage opportunities: When betting both sides of a game across different sportsbooks, lower vig directly increases your guaranteed profit. An arbitrage opportunity at -110 both sides might yield 0.5% profit, while the same opportunity at -105 could yield 2.5% profit.

Situations Where Other Factors May Trump Vig

Unique betting opportunities: If you've identified a player prop at -115 that you believe has significant value (you estimate 65% chance of hitting vs 53.5% implied), the 1-2% extra vig is less important than capturing that edge. Don't pass up a great bet just to save a few points of vig.

Bonus hunting: Sometimes accepting -110 at a book offering a 20% deposit bonus provides more value than -105 at a book with no bonus. Calculate the total expected value, not just the vig.

Bet limits and liquidity: Sharp books with -105 lines often have lower limits. If you're trying to bet $5,000 and the sharp book only allows $500, you might need to use the -110 book for the remainder. Getting your full bet down at -110 beats getting partial action at -105.

Live betting edges: Live betting typically carries -115 to -120 vig, but if you've identified a genuine in-game edge (like a key player injury that hasn't been factored into the line), paying extra vig to exploit that edge quickly can be worthwhile.

Real Bettor Scenario

Casual bettor (50 bets/year): Sarah bets $100 on NFL games most Sundays, averaging 50 bets per season. Shopping for -105 instead of -110 saves her approximately $25 per season if she wins 52% of bets. While beneficial, spending hours line shopping might not be worth her time for $25 annual savings.

Serious bettor (500 bets/year): Mike bets multiple games daily across sports, placing 500 bets annually at $200 average. Consistently getting -105 instead of -110 with a 53% win rate adds approximately $1,000 to his annual profit. This makes maintaining accounts at multiple books and always line shopping clearly worthwhile.

Professional bettor (2,000+ bets/year): Jennifer's full-time betting operation involves 2,000+ bets annually at $1,000+ average stakes. She uses betting software to automatically find the best lines across 15+ sportsbooks. Reducing average vig from -110 to -105 adds approximately $20,000+ to her annual profit—enough to justify significant time investment in vig reduction strategies.

Common Mistakes Bettors Make With Vigorish

Mistake #1: Ignoring Vig Completely in Win Rate Calculations

Wrong Approach: Tom tracks his bets and celebrates when he hits 51% winners. "I'm beating the 50/50 coin flip!" he thinks, assuming he's profitable.

Right Approach: Understanding that at -110 odds, 51% wins means you're losing money. Tom needs to win 52.38% just to break even.

Why It Matters: Over 500 bets at $100 each with 51% wins at -110:

• 255 wins × $90.91 profit per win = $23,182
• 245 losses × $100 loss = -$24,500
• Net result: -$1,318 loss while "beating 50%"

Financial Impact Over Time: If Tom continues this pattern for 5 years (2,500 total bets), he'd lose approximately $6,590 while maintaining his "winning" 51% record. Understanding the vig requirement would help him realize he needs to improve his handicapping or reduce the vig he's paying.

Mistake #2: Paying Premium Vig on Low-Edge Bets

Wrong Approach: Jessica loves betting player props at her convenient local sportsbook app, regularly accepting -120 or -125 odds because "it's just a few dollars difference."

Right Approach: Recognizing that -120 requires a 54.5% win rate vs 52.38% at -110. Those "few dollars" compound dramatically over hundreds of bets.

Why It Matters: Comparing 200 player prop bets at $110 stake with 54% win rate:

At -110 odds:

• 108 wins × $100 profit = $10,800
• 92 losses × $110 loss = -$10,120
• Net profit: $680

At -120 odds:

• 108 wins × $91.67 profit = $9,900
• 92 losses × $110 loss = -$10,120
• Net result: -$220 (loss instead of profit!)

The Impact: The same handicapping skill that produces profit at -110 creates losses at -120. Over multiple seasons, this could mean the difference between a profitable hobby and an expensive one.

Mistake #3: Chasing Parlays for "Better Payouts" Without Understanding Compound Vig

Wrong Approach: Marcus regularly bets 3-team parlays at +600 payouts, thinking "I can turn $100 into $600 instead of grinding out small wins on single bets."

Right Approach: Understanding that parlays compound the vig on each leg. A 3-team parlay at -110 per leg should pay +700 at fair odds but typically pays only +600, representing approximately 12.5% vig.

Why It Matters: Comparing 50 betting opportunities with 60% win rate on each pick:

Betting singles at -110:

• $100 per bet × 50 bets = $5,000 total risked
• 30 wins × $90.91 profit = $2,727
• 20 losses × $100 = -$2,000
• Net profit: $727

Betting 3-team parlays at +600:

• $100 per parlay × 16-17 parlays from 50 picks
• Expected wins at 60% per leg: 0.6 × 0.6 × 0.6 = 21.6% win rate
• ~3.5 wins × $600 = $2,100
• ~13.5 losses × $100 = -$1,350
• Net profit: $750 (but with far higher variance)

While the parlay might show similar expected value in this scenario, the dramatically increased variance means you're far more likely to experience extended losing streaks, and the compound vig becomes more punishing if your win rate drops even slightly to 58% or 56%.

Mistake #4: Not Maintaining Accounts at Multiple Sportsbooks

Wrong Approach: David uses only one sportsbook because "it's easier to track everything in one place" and doesn't want to manage multiple accounts.

Right Approach: Maintaining 3-5 sportsbook accounts to always capture the best available line on each bet.

Why It Matters: Real example across three books for the same game:

• Book A: Lakers -4.5 (-110)
• Book B: Lakers -4 (-108)
• Book C: Lakers -3.5 (-115)

If you like the Lakers, Book C offers the best spread (-3.5) despite higher vig. If the Lakers win by exactly 4, you win at Book C but would have pushed at Book B or lost at Book A.

Annual Impact: A bettor making 300 bets per year who shops lines and averages saving 0.5 points of spread or 3 cents of juice per bet will add approximately $750-1,500 in annual value (depending on bet size and win rate). Over 10 years, that's $7,500-15,000 in additional profit from the same handicapping ability.

Mistake #5: Betting Immediately Without Checking for Line Movement

Wrong Approach: Rachel decides she likes the Cowboys -3 on Tuesday and immediately places her bet at -110, locking in her action.

Right Approach: Monitoring the line throughout the week and betting when you get the best combination of spread and vig, unless you believe the line will move against you.

Why It Matters: Line movement scenario:

• Tuesday: Cowboys -3 (-110)
• Wednesday: Cowboys -3 (-105) [sharp money comes in, book adjusts vig]
• Friday: Cowboys -2.5 (-110) [public money on opponent, line moves]

By waiting until Friday, Rachel could have gotten Cowboys -2.5 (-110) instead of -3 (-110), gaining a half-point of value. That half-point wins approximately 1-2% of bets that land on 3 (the most common NFL margin).

Over 100 NFL bets: Gaining an average of 0.25 points per bet through timing and line shopping converts approximately 1-2 additional losses into wins, worth $200-400 in profit at $100 per bet stakes.

Mistake #6: Accepting Bad Vig on Alternate Lines

Wrong Approach: Kevin wants to bet the Chiefs but doesn't like -7.5, so he buys it down to -6.5 at -135, thinking "I'm getting a better spread."

Right Approach: Understanding that buying points typically costs 10-25 cents of juice per half-point, and this vig often isn't worth the adjustment unless the number crosses a key number (3, 7 in NFL).

Why It Matters: Comparing 50 bets:

Chiefs -7.5 (-110):

• If you win 52% (26 wins): +$360 profit
• Break-even rate: 52.38%

Chiefs -6.5 (-135):

• If you win 54% (27 wins): -$115 loss
• Break-even rate: 57.45%

You need to win 5% more often at -6.5 (-135) vs -7.5 (-110) just to break even. Historical data shows moving from -7.5 to -6.5 increases win rate by only about 2-3%, making this a poor value proposition. The excessive vig outweighs the improved spread.

Strategic Implementation Guide: Minimizing Vig Impact

Step 1: Create Accounts at Multiple Sportsbooks (Week 1)

Action Items:

• Open accounts at 4-6 sportsbooks with competitive odds
• Prioritize: 1-2 reduced juice books (-105), 2-3 major books for liquidity, 1-2 books known for specific sport expertise
• Complete verification and make initial deposits
• Test small bets at each book to understand their interface

Tools Needed: Comparison chart of sportsbook vig rates by sport, bankroll allocation spreadsheet

Expected Outcome: Access to competitive lines across multiple platforms, typically saving 0.5-1% in vig per bet

Step 2: Implement Line Shopping Protocol (Week 2-3)

Action Items:

• Before every bet, check the same line at all your sportsbooks
• Create a simple spreadsheet or use odds comparison tools
• Document the vig difference you capture on each bet
• Set a rule: Never bet without checking at least 3 books first

Tools Needed: Odds comparison website (Oddschecker, OddsPortal), multi-book tracking spreadsheet

Expected Outcome: Average line improvement of 0.5 points or 3-5 cents of juice per bet, adding 1-2% to long-term ROI

Step 3: Calculate True Break-Even Rates for Your Bets (Week 3-4)

Action Items:

• For each bet type you regularly make, calculate the exact win rate needed to break even
• Create a reference chart: -105 = 51.22%, -110 = 52.38%, -115 = 53.49%, -120 = 54.55%
• Compare your historical win rates by bet type against these thresholds
• Identify which bet types you're profitable at and which you're not

Tools Needed: Betting tracking spreadsheet, vig calculator, historical betting data

Expected Outcome: Clear understanding of which betting markets are profitable for you after accounting for vig

Step 4: Eliminate High-Vig Bet Types (Month 2)

Action Items:

• Review your last 100 bets and identify average vig paid by bet type
• Eliminate or dramatically reduce: parlays (10-30% vig), bad props (-120 or worse), live bets with excessive juice
• Replace with: straight bets at -110 or better, reduced juice markets, betting exchange opportunities
• Set a maximum vig rule: "I will not bet anything at -120 or worse unless I have 10%+ edge"

Tools Needed: Bet tracking software that categorizes by bet type, vig calculator

Expected Outcome: Reduce average vig paid from 5-7% to 3-4.5%, improving ROI by 1.5-2.5%

Step 5: Master Timing and Line Movement (Month 3)

Action Items:

• Track opening lines vs closing lines for your target markets
• Identify patterns: When do lines move in your favor? When do sharp bettors bet?
• For NFL: Lines typically open Sunday night, see sharp action Monday-Tuesday, public action Thursday-Sunday
• Develop a timing strategy: Bet against public when you agree with sharp side, wait for public money when you disagree with sharps

Tools Needed: Line movement tracking software, historical line data, sports betting community forums

Expected Outcome: Capture an additional 0.25-0.5 points of value per bet through optimal timing, worth 1-2 extra wins per 100 bets

Step 6: Explore Betting Exchanges (Month 4)

Action Items:

• Open account at a betting exchange (where available legally)
• Learn to both back (bet on) and lay (bet against) outcomes
• Compare exchange odds + commission vs traditional sportsbook vig
• Start with small bets to understand the interface and liquidity

Tools Needed: Betting exchange account, commission calculator, liquidity assessment tools

Expected Outcome: Access to 2.0 (even money) or better odds with 2-5% commission instead of 4.5% vig, plus ability to trade out of positions

Step 7: Implement Continuous Tracking and Optimization (Ongoing)

Action Items:

• Track every bet with: Book used, odds taken, best available odds, vig paid
• Monthly review: Calculate average vig paid, identify missed opportunities
• Set quarterly goals: "Reduce average vig from -110 to -108 this quarter"
• Adjust sportsbook mix based on where you find best lines for your bet types

Tools Needed: Comprehensive bet tracking software (like mybets.gg), monthly review template, optimization checklist

Expected Outcome: Continuous improvement in vig reduction, adding 2-4% to annual ROI compared to single-book, no-shopping approach

Real-World Historical Example: The Impact of Vig Over a Season

Scenario: Two bettors with identical handicapping skills betting the 2023 NFL season

Bettor A (Mike): Uses only one major sportsbook, accepts standard -110 odds, bets immediately when he makes his decision

Bettor B (Sarah): Maintains accounts at 5 sportsbooks, always shops for best line, times her bets strategically

Both bettors: Make 200 NFL bets throughout the season at $100 per bet, both achieve 54% win rate (108 wins, 92 losses)

Metric	Bettor A (Mike)	Bettor B (Sarah)
Total Bets	200	200
Win Rate	54% (108-92)	54% (108-92)
Average Odds (Wins)	-110	-105
Average Odds (Losses)	-110	-108
Money Won	108 × $90.91 = $9,818	108 × $95.24 = $10,286
Money Lost	92 × $100 = $9,200	92 × $100 = $9,200
Net Profit	$618	$1,086
ROI	3.09%	5.43%
Difference	$468 more profit for Sarah (76% increase)

Key Takeaways from This Example:

• Same handicapping skill, same win rate, but Sarah earned 76% more profit
• The difference? Sarah reduced her average vig from 4.5% to approximately 2.8%
• Over a full season, this translated to an extra $468 in profit on $20,000 in total action
• Sarah's edge came from: line shopping (saving 3-5 cents per bet), timing (catching better numbers), avoiding high-vig props
• This demonstrates that vig management is just as important as handicapping ability

Platform Integration: How Different Sportsbooks Handle Vig

Understanding how various platforms structure their vig helps you identify the best places to place your bets:

Traditional Sportsbooks

Platform Type	Typical Vig	Advantages	Disadvantages
Major US Books (DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM)	-110 standard, -115 to -120 on props	High liquidity, reliable, many markets, promotions	Standard vig, limited odds shopping within platform
Reduced Juice Books (Pinnacle, CRIS)	-105 to -108 standard	Lower vig saves 1-2% on every bet	Fewer promotions, may limit winning players, not available in all US states
Offshore Books	-110 to -115 standard	More markets, earlier lines, higher limits	Regulatory concerns, withdrawal issues, varying reliability
Betting Exchanges (Betfair, Matchbook)	2-5% commission on net winnings	Best odds, ability to lay bets, trade positions	Learning curve, liquidity varies by market, limited US availability

Sport-Specific Vig Variations

Different sports have different typical vig structures:

• NFL/NBA Point Spreads: Standard -110, occasionally -105 at reduced juice books
• MLB Moneylines: Vig built into odds (e.g., -150/+130 instead of true -145/+145), typically 3-5% vig
• Soccer (3-way markets): Higher vig of 5-8% due to three outcomes
• Tennis: Lower vig of 2-4% at sharp books due to two-way market
• Parlays: Compounding vig of 10-30% depending on number of legs
• Live Betting: Inflated vig of 6-10% due to rapid odds changes
• Prop Bets: High vig of 8-20% due to information asymmetry

Promotional Offers and Effective Vig

Smart bettors factor in promotions when calculating true vig:

• Odds Boosts: Can reduce effective vig to 0% or create positive expected value
• Profit Boosts: 20-50% profit boosts effectively reduce vig by 1-3%
• Risk-Free Bets: Reduce effective vig on that specific bet by 50%
• Deposit Matches: Provide bankroll cushion but don't directly reduce vig
• Loyalty Programs: Ongoing value that can offset 0.5-1% of vig over time

Pro Tip: Calculate your "all-in" cost including promotions. A book with -110 odds but regular 25% profit boosts may be better than a -105 book with no promotions.

Final Thoughts: Respecting the Vig

Vigorish is the sportsbook's business model—it's how they stay profitable regardless of game outcomes. As a bettor, you can't eliminate vig, but you can minimize its impact through:

• Education: Understanding how vig works in every bet type
• Line Shopping: Maintaining multiple accounts to find the best odds
• Selectivity: Avoiding high-vig markets unless you have significant edge
• Timing: Placing bets when lines are most favorable
• Tracking: Monitoring your average vig paid and continuously optimizing

Remember: A bettor who wins 52% of bets at -110 loses money. A bettor who wins 52% of bets at -105 makes money. That 5-cent difference in vig is often the difference between long-term profit and loss.

The most successful sports bettors treat vig reduction as seriously as handicapping. They understand that beating the vig is just as important as beating the opponent. By implementing the strategies in this guide, you can reduce your vig burden by 1-3% annually—which for many bettors is the difference between being a winner and a loser.

Want to calculate the true odds without vig? Check out our No-Vig Calculator guide for step-by-step instructions.