Odds and math
Vig
Also called juice, vigorish, overround
Vig, juice or overround is the fee a sportsbook charges for taking the bet. It is not a separate line item; it is baked into the price. On a standard −110 / −110 market each side implies 52.4%, totalling 104.8%. That 4.8% is the vig.
Practically, it is the hurdle every bet has to clear. At −110 you need to win 52.4% of your bets to break even, not 50%. Over hundreds of wagers that gap is the difference between profit and a slow, comfortable loss.
Vig varies enormously by market. Main lines at major books are tight; player props, same-game parlays and exotic markets can hold 8%, 15% or more. Knowing which markets are expensive is most of knowing where not to bet.
Want the full version? Read the in-depth guide, with worked examples and the math.
See also
- Hold — The share of all money wagered on a market that the sportsbook keeps regardless of the result.
- No-vig odds — Odds with the bookmaker's margin normalised out, showing what the market actually believes.
- Implied probability — The chance of an outcome as expressed by its odds, including the bookmaker's margin.
- Line shopping — Checking multiple sportsbooks for the same bet and taking the best available price.