Guide to Vigorish in Sports Betting

What is Vig in Betting?

Vigorish, also known as vig, juice, or take, is the commission that sportsbooks earn from every wager. It’s how bookmakers make money even when bettors win and lose in equal measure. 

The word vigorish comes from the Yiddish “vigorish,” meaning interest or charge. Think of it like a transaction fee or commission; like how a broker or casino earns a margin on each trade or game.

Why Sportsbooks Use Vigorish

Sportsbooks rely on vigorish to ensure consistent profits, balance wagers, and cover operational costs:

Together, these factors make vigorish the financial backbone of the sports betting industry.

Quick example: 

On a standard NFL spread, both sides might be listed at -110 odds. That extra 10 reflects the vigorish; the fee for placing your bet. If bettors wager equally on each side, the sportsbook collects $220 total but only pays out $210 to the winner, earning $10 profit. Multiplied over thousands of bets, this adds up to millions in reliable revenue.

How Vigorish Works in Sports Betting

Vigorish appears in nearly every betting market, including spreads, moneylines, and totals. It’s the subtle margin between what bettors risk and what they stand to win.

When both sides are -110 instead of +100, the implied probability exceeds 100%. That extra percentage is the bookmaker’s cushion for guaranteed profit.

How Vig Appears Across Bet Types

• Point spreads: Typically around -110 for both sides.
• Moneylines: The vig fluctuates depending on the strength of each team.
• Totals (Over/Under): Usually mirrors spread pricing at -110.

Across all markets, the logic remains constant, while the sportsbook keeps a small edge regardless of who wins. Big events often feature tighter margins, while lower-traffic markets have higher vig to offset smaller betting volume.

How to Calculate Vig in Betting: Step-by-Step Guide

Learning how to calculate vig gives bettors the power to see how much of their wager benefits the bookmaker. By understanding the math, you can compare lines and find better value opportunities. You can also check out our guide on understanding sports betting odds.

1. Convert Odds to Implied Probability

For American odds:

• Negative odds: Probability = Odds / (Odds + 100) × 100
• Positive odds: Probability = 100 / (Odds + 100) × 100

Example: Two sides at -110 equal 52.38% + 52.38% = 104.76%. The 4.76% over 100% represents the sportsbook’s advantage.

2. Calculate the Vig Percentage

Formula: Vig = (Sum of implied probabilities – 100) ÷ Sum of implied probabilities.

Example: (104.76 – 100) ÷ 104.76 = 0.0454 or 4.54%. This shows the bookmaker’s built-in profit margin. Knowing this helps bettors identify which sportsbooks take a larger cut from their bets.

3. Three-Way Market Example

Three-way markets have higher vig due to increased uncertainty. Understanding this helps bettors recognize when odds may not represent fair value.

Vigorish Calculator Tools and Resources

If you’d rather skip the math, online vigorish calculators can show margins instantly. These tools help identify inflated pricing and fair-value opportunities.

Top Online Vig Calculators:

• OddsJam Vig Calculator: Converts odds and shows adjusted fair lines for better comparison.
• BettingPros Vig Tool: Displays the bookmaker’s margin and the win rate needed to profit.
• Covers Vig Calculator: Supports two-way and three-way bets with instant calculations.

Mobile Apps with Vig Features:

• Action Network App: Tracks line movements and calculates vig automatically.
• OddsTrader: Compares fair odds between sportsbooks to help identify low-vig options.

What is the Best sportsbook for Low Vig Betting?

BetOnline stands out for its reduced-juice markets, often offering -105 odds instead of -110. This lowers the required win rate to break even from 52.38% to 51.22%. Over hundreds of bets, this difference translates to real savings. BetOnline also updates odds quickly, ensuring bettors always have access to competitive, low-vig pricing.

Why Understanding Vigorish Matters for Bettors

The higher the vig, the more often you must win to break even. Reducing this percentage even slightly can have a major impact over time. 

For example, across 500 bets, winning six fewer wagers could mean the difference between profit and loss.

Key Takeaways:

• Lower vig equals higher profits and better returns over time.
• Vig compounds like interest, increasing losses with every bet.
• Recognizing vig lets you identify overpriced lines and find better value.
• Professionals minimize vig intentionally by line shopping and using sharp sportsbooks.

Vigorish vs. Other Betting Terms

Vig can often be confused with other popular (and important) sports betting terms. Just as important as it is to understand what Vig is, it’s equally important to know what it isn’t.

Here’s a quick comparison between Vigorish and two other key terms people often confuse it with:

Understanding Vigorish in Sports Betting

Vigorish is the hidden commission that powers the sportsbook business. Knowing how to identify and calculate it helps bettors find better lines, make smarter wagers, and protect their bankrolls. 

Continue learning with our introduction to sports betting guide to strengthen your understanding of odds and margins.

Kevin

Roberts

Content Editor

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Kevin Roberts, previously published under the pseudonym Noah Davis, is one of the more diverse writers at GamblingSites.com. Like many of his colleagues, he’s a huge fan of both football and basketball. But he also writes about box office records, TV show prop bets, DFS, and all kinds of other subjects. When it comes to the NFL, Kevin’s favorite team is the Green Bay Packers. He enjoys cheering them on with his wife and daughter.

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