What Is Juice (Vig) in Sports Betting and How Does It Affect You?
If you've ever placed a bet and wondered why you need to risk $110 to win $100, you're not alone. That extra $10 is known as the juice—also called the vig (short for vigorish)—and it’s how sportsbooks make their money. Understanding how juice works is crucial to becoming a smarter bettor and improving your long-term profitability.
What Is Juice (Vig)?
Juice, or vig, is the commission sportsbooks take for accepting a bet. It’s baked into the odds and ensures the bookmaker earns a profit regardless of the outcome.
Example: In a typical point spread bet:
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Team A: -110
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Team B: -110
You must bet $110 to win $100 on either side. That $10 difference is the vig.
Why Do Sportsbooks Charge Juice?
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To Ensure Profit
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If bets are evenly distributed on both sides, the sportsbook keeps the vig regardless of the result.
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To Offset Risk
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Juice provides a buffer in case betting is uneven or outcomes favor one side heavily.
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To Balance the Market
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Adjusting juice helps sportsbooks attract action on both sides and maintain even liability.
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How Juice Affects Your Bets
1. Lower Returns
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You have to win more than 52.38% of your bets at -110 just to break even.
2. Reduced Value
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High juice means less profitable payouts, especially in moneyline and prop bets.
3. Misleading Odds
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Odds may look fair, but juice inflates implied probabilities. Always do the math.
How to Minimize the Impact of Juice
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Line Shop Across Bookmakers
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Compare odds to find better value with reduced vig (e.g., -105 vs. -110).
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Look for Reduced Juice Books
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Some sportsbooks offer “reduced juice” options, especially on major games.
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Target +EV (Positive Expected Value) Bets
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Ensure the potential return outweighs the juice with your calculated edge.
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Avoid Betting Just to Bet
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Only wager when you find value. Don’t give the book free money by forcing plays.
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Juice in Different Bet Types
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Point Spreads: Usually -110 standard juice.
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Moneylines: Juice is hidden in unequal odds (e.g., -150 vs. +130).
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Parlays: Extra juice is built into the payout tables.
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Live Bets: Often carry higher juice due to real-time risk for the sportsbook.
Final Thoughts
Juice is a part of every bet you make—it’s the sportsbook’s silent profit. But the more you understand how vig works, the better you can make informed decisions, find value, and avoid overpriced markets.
If you want to be a profitable bettor long-term, managing the juice is just as important as picking winners.
Always bet with your brain, not just your heart—and keep the vig in check.
