If you’ve ever wondered why sportsbooks seem to win in the long run, the answer lies in something called the juice (or vig, short for vigorish). It’s the hidden tax sportsbooks add to every wager, ensuring they profit no matter which side wins.
Most casual bettors don’t think about juice. They see -110 and assume it’s just the “normal” line. But understanding juice and vig in sports betting is essential if you want to make smarter wagers, stretch your bankroll, and compete with the house on a level playing field.
This guide explains what juice and vig are, how they’re calculated, and what you can do to minimize their impact.
What Is Juice (Vig) in Sports Betting?
- Juice/Vig = the sportsbook’s commission on a bet.
- It’s built into the odds to guarantee the book a margin of profit.
Example:
- Standard NFL spread: both sides at -110.
- This means you must risk $110 to win $100.
- That extra $10 is the juice.
Without juice, you’d only need to risk $100 to win $100 on a true 50/50 proposition.
Why Do Sportsbooks Charge Juice?
Sportsbooks aren’t predicting outcomes perfectly. Instead, they balance action on both sides. The juice ensures they profit regardless of who wins.
If $110 is bet on Team A and $110 is bet on Team B, the book collects $220 but only pays $210 to the winner. They keep $10 profit — risk-free.
Calculating Juice and Vig
On a Standard -110 Line
- Risk $110 to win $100.
- Break-even win rate = 52.38%.
- That’s higher than the true 50/50, meaning juice creates the sportsbook’s edge.
On Different Odds
- At -120 → you need to win 54.55% of the time.
- At +100 → you only need to win 50%.
This is why line shopping matters — getting -105 instead of -110 can be the difference between winning and losing long-term.
How Juice Shows Up Across Bet Types
1. Point Spreads & Totals
- Standard -110 lines on both sides.
- Sometimes you’ll see -115/-105 splits depending on action.
2. Moneylines
- Example: Yankees -150 / Red Sox +130.
- True fair odds would be closer to -143/+143.
- The gap is the juice.
3. Parlays
- Parlays have built-in extra juice because payouts don’t fully reflect the true probability of all legs hitting.
4. Futures
- Futures markets have some of the highest juice in sports betting. A Super Bowl futures board might add up to 130% implied probability instead of 100%. That extra 30% is pure hold.
Why Juice and Vig Matter to Bettors
- Higher Win Rate Needed — Juice raises your break-even percentage.
- Long-Term Profits Shrink — Even small differences in juice compound across hundreds of bets.
- Parlay Traps — The extra juice in parlays is why sportsbooks market them so heavily.
Strategies to Minimize Juice in Sports Betting
1. Line Shopping
Different sportsbooks price juice differently. One might offer -108 while another is -115. Over time, those savings matter.
2. Betting Reduced Juice Lines
Some sportsbooks run promos offering -105 spreads instead of -110. Sharps jump on these because it lowers the required break-even win rate.
3. Focus on Markets With Lower Juice
Not all sports carry the same vig. Niche markets (like player props or alt lines) often have higher juice. Stick to efficient markets unless you’ve got a real edge.
4. Avoid Overpriced Parlays & Futures
The entertainment value is high, but the juice is stacked against you. Use sparingly.
5. Track Your CLV and ROI
If you’re consistently beating the closing line (CLV), you’ll overcome juice in the long run. That’s where tools like TPC Score™ come in.
💡 Club Assistant™ Tip:
- Ask: “Which NFL spreads are available at -105 instead of -110 today?”
- Ask: “How does juice at -115 impact break-even percentage compared to -110?”
Common Misconceptions About Juice
- “Juice Doesn’t Matter on Small Bets.”
- Even a $10 bettor loses more over time if always paying higher juice.
- “Favorites Have More Juice.”
- Juice is relative — it applies to both sides, just structured differently.
- “Juice is Fixed.”
- Different books, promos, and timing can lower juice if you shop smart.
Juice and Vig in Historical Context
Back in the days of local bookies, vig was often standardized at 10%. Online sportsbooks have made it more variable, with some offering -105 lines to attract sharper action. The evolution shows that understanding vig is now more important than ever for bettors.
The Role of TPC Score™ Against Juice
The TPC Score™ at The Pick Club incorporates juice into its model. A bet isn’t just rated on raw win probability — it’s judged against the price you’re paying.
Example:
- TPC Score™ 7 on a -105 line may drop to TPC Score™ 6 on the same bet at -115.
- This prevents bettors from overpaying on juice without realizing it.
Conclusion
Understanding juice and vig in sports betting is non-negotiable for anyone who wants to win long term. It’s the invisible tax sportsbooks take on every wager.
By line shopping, sticking to reduced juice markets, and using tools like TPC Score™ and The Club Assistant™, you can minimize juice’s impact and give yourself the best chance at sustained profitability.
👉 Want daily insights on where juice is lowest and value is highest? Join The Pick Club Today and start betting smarter.
Nick Travers is Senior Editor of The Pick Club, with 10+ years of experience in sports betting analysis and predictive modeling.