What Is Juice (Vig)?

The bookmaker edge

Juice is the bookmaker margin built into odds. In a fair 50/50 market, both sides would be +100. Instead, sportsbooks offer -110/-110, keeping about 4.76%.

To break even at -110, you need to win 52.38% of bets. Random betting at standard juice guarantees long-term loss.

Sportsbooks do not need to predict winners. They profit from balanced action and built-in margin on every market they offer.

Reduced juice markets

Some books offer -105 or -108 on major markets. That lowers break-even win rate from 52.38% to about 51.22% at -105. Over hundreds of bets, small juice differences add up.

Shop for lower juice when possible, especially on high-volume bets like NFL sides and totals.

Juice by market type

NFL and NBA sides often carry 4-5% juice. Player props frequently run 5-10%. Futures with many outcomes can reach 15-25% because books take more risk holding those lines open.

FAQ

Is juice the same as vig?

Yes. Juice, vig, vigorish, and margin all describe the same concept: the bookmaker built-in edge on every bet.

How much is the juice on a -110 bet?

At -110/-110, the total juice is about 4.76%. Each side is priced at 52.38% implied probability instead of fair 50%.

Can I avoid juice entirely?

Not on traditional sportsbooks. Betting exchanges charge commission instead, but you still pay for market access. The goal is to find the lowest effective margin and only bet when you have edge above it.