Sportsbook vig: the price of every bet
Vig, or juice, is the fee a sportsbook builds into its odds. On a standard −110 line, you risk $110 to win $100. If both sides are bet evenly, the book keeps about 4.5% of the money.
Reviewed Oct 14, 2026
Answer first
90s| Line on both sides | Total implied chance | Book hold |
|---|---|---|
| −110 / −110 | 104.8% | About 4.5% |
| −105 / −105 | 102.4% | About 2.4% |
| −120 / +100 | 104.5% | About 4.4% |
| −115 / −105 | 104.3% | About 4.1% |
Key numbers
Vig in four numbers
In short
Key takeaways
- Add the implied chances of both sides; anything over 100% is the vig.
- The break-even rate at −110 is 52.4%, not 50%.
- Reduced juice books at −105 cut the hold roughly in half.
- Parlays, props and futures usually carry more vig than straight bets.
Progress
How −110 pays the book
- 1
Bettor A: $110 on Team 1
Wins $100 if Team 1 covers
- 2
Bettor B: $110 on Team 2
Wins $100 if Team 2 covers
- 3
Book takes in $220
Pays out $210 to the winner
- 4
Book keeps $10
About 4.5% of the money
With balanced action, the book profits regardless of the result.
Break-even win rates
| Price | Break-even |
|---|---|
| −120 | 54.5% |
| −110 | 52.4% |
| −105 | 51.2% |
| +100 | 50.0% |
| +110 | 47.6% |
Implied chance = risk ÷ (risk + win) for negative odds.
Calculating implied chance
For a negative price, divide the price by price plus 100: 110 ÷ 210 = 52.4%. For a positive price, divide 100 by price plus 100: 100 ÷ 210 = 47.6%.
Adding both sides gives the total. The amount over 100% shows the book’s cut.
Vig by bet type (typical)
| Bet type | Typical hold |
|---|---|
| NFL spread at −110 | About 4.5% |
| Moneyline favorites/underdogs | About 3%–5% |
| Player props | About 5%–10% |
| Parlays | Often 10%+ |
| Futures | Often 20%+ |
Rough ranges; books differ.
Why vig matters
A bettor who picks 52% winners at −110 loses money over time. At −105, the same bettor is slightly ahead.
Vig is the main reason most bettors lose in the long run, even when they pick about half their bets right.
Sequence
Checking the vig on a market
Step 01
Find both prices
For example −110 and −110.
Step 02
Convert to implied chance
52.4% each.
Step 03
Add them
104.8%.
Step 04
Subtract 100%
4.8% overround, about 4.5% hold.
Hold vs overround
Overround is the total implied chance above 100%. Hold is the share of money the book keeps; it is overround divided by the total.
For −110 lines, overround is 4.8% and hold is about 4.5%.
Floor rules
Vig terms
Know before you sit
- Vig / juice
- The fee built into odds.
- Hold
- The share of money the book keeps.
- Overround
- Total implied chance above 100%.
- Reduced juice
- Lines priced at −105 or better.
Vig over a season
Risk $110 to win $100 on 200 games at −110 and win 104 of them. You collect $10,400 and lose $10,560 on the 96 losses, ending $160 down.
At −105 you risk $105 each time. The same 104 wins collect $10,400 and the 96 losses cost $10,080, so you finish $320 ahead with identical picks. The only change was the price.
Common mistakes
- Thinking 50% wins break even
- At −110 you need 52.4% just to break even.
- Ignoring vig on props
- Props often carry double the vig of spreads.
- Betting parlays for value
- Parlay vig compounds with each leg.
- Not comparing prices
- A 5-cent difference changes your break-even rate.
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01Basics
What is vig in sports betting?
The fee a sportsbook builds into its odds. At −110, you risk $110 to win $100; the extra $10 is the vig.
How much is standard vig?
On a −110/−110 line, the book holds about 4.5% if both sides are bet evenly. Rules differ between licensed sportsbooks, so read the house rules.
What does −110 mean?
You risk $110 to win $100. The break-even win rate is 52.4%. Rules differ between licensed sportsbooks, so read the house rules.
02Math
How do I calculate vig?
Convert both prices to implied chances and add them. The amount over 100% is the overround; divide by the total for the hold.
What is reduced juice?
Lines at −105 or better. The hold drops to about 2.4%, and the break-even rate falls to 51.2%.
Why is vig higher on props?
Props are harder to price and see less sharp action, so books add more margin. Rules differ between licensed sportsbooks, so read the house rules.
03Practice
Can I avoid vig?
No, but you can lower it by shopping prices and betting markets with lower holds.
Do exchanges charge vig?
Betting exchanges charge a commission on winnings instead, which is often lower.
Is vig the same at casino counters?
Usually similar to apps, but prices can differ between books in the same city. Rules differ between licensed sportsbooks, so read the house rules.
Sources
- American Gaming Association — Sports betting Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 14, 2026US legal sports betting data
- New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement · accessed Oct 14, 2026Sports wagering rules
- Nevada Gaming Control Board · accessed Oct 14, 2026Approved games and gaming revenue reports
- National Council on Problem Gambling — Help and resources Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 14, 2026Free, confidential help: call or text 1-800-GAMBLER