What is vig? The margin in every line, and what it costs you
By Karel Moreau, editor of sportspicksdiscord ·
Vig (or juice) is the sportsbook's built-in margin. At -110 on both sides of a bet, the two implied probabilities add up to 104.76%, not 100%. The extra 4.76% is the house's cut, and it is why you have to win 52.38% of -110 bets — not 50% — to break even.
How to see the vig in any line
Convert both sides to implied probability and add them. Anything over 100% is the margin.
| Two-way line | Side A implied | Side B implied | Overround (vig) |
|---|---|---|---|
| -110 / -110 | 52.38% | 52.38% | 4.76% |
| -105 / -105 | 51.22% | 51.22% | 2.44% |
| -115 / -105 | 53.49% | 51.22% | 4.71% |
| -120 / +100 | 54.55% | 50.00% | 4.55% |
| -200 / +170 | 66.67% | 37.04% | 3.70% |
Reduced-juice lines at -105 cut the overround to 2.44%, which drops the break-even rate from 52.38% to 51.22%. That is worth more to a regular bettor than almost any tip.
Why it matters when you pay for picks
A picks service does not pay the vig; you do, on every bet it tells you to place. A capper whose record is graded at -110 but whose picks you can only get at -115 because the line moved after posting is costing you roughly another point of win rate. Ask how picks are graded: at the posted price, or at the price you could actually get.
The full break-even table, and what it does to the maths of a monthly subscription, is in our -110 break-even guide.
Parlays multiply the vig
Each leg of a parlay carries its own margin, and they compound. A four-leg parlay of -110 legs carries a house edge of about 17% — more than three times a single bet. The parlay maths.
Frequently asked questions
What is vig in betting?
The sportsbook's margin, built into the odds. At -110 on both sides the implied probabilities total 104.76%; the extra 4.76% is the vig.
What does -110 mean?
You risk $110 to win $100. The extra $10 is effectively the vig on that bet.
Is vig the same as juice?
Yes. Vig, vigorish and juice all mean the margin the sportsbook builds into its prices.
How do I reduce the vig I pay?
Shop lines across sportsbooks and use reduced-juice markets. At -105 the break-even rate falls from 52.38% to 51.22%.
