Definition
Vigorish (Vig / Juice)
Also known as Vig, Juice, Cut, Take
By Abhinav VasudevanReviewed Editorial policy
In short
Vigorish is the bookmaker's commission, built into the odds rather than charged separately. Standard American spread betting at -110 on both sides carries about 4.5% vig. You risk $110 to win $100 on a roughly even proposition.
Vigorish is what the bookmaker charges for taking your bet. Unlike a broker’s commission it is never itemised it is folded into the price, which is why most bettors never notice paying it.
The word comes from Yiddish, from a Russian root meaning winnings. Juice is the common American synonym; British betting tends to say margin or overround.
Standard juice
The default in American sports betting is -110 on both sides. You risk $110 to win $100.
On a genuine 50/50 proposition, a fair price would be +100 both ways. At -110:
- Two bettors each stake $110, one on each side, the book holds $220
- The winner receives $210 (their $110 back plus $100)
- The book keeps $10, or 4.55% of the $220 handled
That is the vig. Note that it is charged on total money handled, so it applies whether you win or lose; winning bettors pay it through a reduced payout.
Why it needs beating, not just avoiding
At -110 you need to win 52.38% of your bets simply to break even, not 50%. That 2.38 percentage points is the practical expression of the vig, and it is why casual bettors who pick winners slightly more than half the time still lose money.
Reduced juice and where it matters
Some operators offer -105 lines, cutting the required break-even rate to about 51.2%. That sounds marginal and is not: over a season it is frequently the entire difference between a profitable and unprofitable bettor.
Vig varies enormously by market:
| Market | Typical vig |
|---|---|
| Major league spreads and totals | 4–5% |
| Moneylines on big events | 3–5% |
| Player props | 6–12% |
| Parlays | 15–30% effective |
| Niche leagues, novelty markets | 10%+ |
Parlays are the important row. The vig compounds on every leg, which is why they are the most profitable product a sportsbook offers and the most heavily promoted.
Common questions
What win rate do I need to beat -110 odds?
52.38%. That is the practical expression of the 4.5% vig, and it is why bettors who pick winners slightly more than half the time still lose money. At reduced juice of -105 the break-even rate drops to about 51.2%.
Is vig the same as the house edge?
It is the sportsbook equivalent. Both describe the operator's built-in margin, but vig is charged on money handled rather than applied per spin, and it is folded into the odds rather than itemised anywhere you can see it.
Why do parlays have so much more vig?
Because the margin compounds on every leg. A four-leg parlay built from markets carrying 4.5% each has an effective margin around 17%, and a ten-leg parlay is worse than almost any slot machine.