What Is the Vig in Sports Betting? (And How to Bet Without It)
The vig is the cut a sportsbook builds into every price. Here's how to spot it in a -110 line, calculate it yourself, and why betting against other people on BettorEdge means no vig built into the price.
Before you start
- •The vig, also called juice or vigorish, is the margin a sportsbook builds into its prices so it profits whoever wins.
- •You don't need an account for this guide. The vig calculator is free.
- 1
Start with a standard -110 / -110 line
Most sportsbook spreads and totals are -110 on both sides: risk $110 to win $100, whichever side you pick. If the line were fair, both sides would pay even money, +100.
- 2
Turn each price into a probability
-110 implies about 52.4%. Add both sides: 52.4% + 52.4% = 104.76%. A fair market adds up to exactly 100%, so the extra 4.76% is the vig, the book's margin baked into the price, win or lose.
- 3
Check any line with the vig calculator
Enter both sides of a market and the calculator shows the market vig and the fair, no-vig odds for each side, so you can see exactly what the markup costs you.
- 4
On BettorEdge, the price comes from other bettors
On BettorEdge you bet against other people, not the house. The game lines are the best prices other players are offering, and you can take one or name your own.
- 5
See every price in the order book
Open a market's order book to see every price on both sides and how much is available. No vig is built into these prices; they're set by the bettors on each side.
Tips
- •A fair two-sided market's implied probabilities add up to exactly 100%. Anything over 100% is the book's margin.
- •-110 on both sides is the classic line: you risk $110 to win $100 either way.
- •BettorEdge doesn't build vig into prices. Instead it keeps a platform fee on winnings, which can depend on your location and Premium status (Terms of Use, section 3.8).
Questions
What does vig mean in sports betting?+
Vig (short for vigorish, also called juice) is the margin a sportsbook builds into its odds. At -110 on both sides, the margin is about 4.76% of the implied probability.
How do I calculate the vig?+
Convert each side's odds to an implied probability and add them. Whatever is over 100% is the vig. Our free vig calculator does it for you and shows the fair odds.
Does BettorEdge charge vig?+
No vig is built into BettorEdge prices, because they're set by bettors on each side. BettorEdge keeps a platform fee on winnings instead, which can depend on your location and Premium status.
What's the difference between vig and hold?+
Vig is usually quoted against implied probability (4.76% at -110/-110). Hold measures the share of all money wagered the book expects to keep, about 4.55% on the same line.
Expected outcome
You can look at any two-sided line, see how much vig is in it, work out the fair price, and know how BettorEdge prices differ.
Try it on BettorEdge.
Create your account and follow along in the app. Sign up for a shot at up to $100. No deposit needed.