Vig and Juice on Moneylines — What the Sportsbook Keeps from Every Bet
consideration
The sportsbook profits before the game starts. It does that by setting odds so the combined implied probability of both sides exceeds 100%. That excess is the vig — also called juice or the hold. Standard online moneyline vig runs approximately 4%–10% on straight bets.
How does the vig work on a moneyline?
Take a -140 / +120 split. To find the vig, convert each side to implied probability using the standard formulas.
- Favorite at -140: 140 ÷ (140 + 100) = 58.33%
- Underdog at +120: 100 ÷ (120 + 100) = 45.45%
- Sum: 58.33 + 45.45 = 103.78%
The 3.78% overage is the book's margin. That's what they keep in the long run across a balanced book, before a single ball is kicked or pitched.
A pick 'em priced at -110 on both sides produces a total implied probability of about 104.8%, meaning the hold is roughly 4.8% — 2.4% per side. That's the most common benchmark you'll see cited in the industry.
What vig range should I expect on moneylines?
Standard online sportsbooks run 4%–10% vig on moneylines. Props and parlays carry higher margins — sometimes well above 10%. MLB moneylines are one place where vig differences between books are most visible: a 20-cent line (e.g., -145 / +125) versus a 10-cent line (e.g., -135 / +125) is a meaningful edge over hundreds of bets.
| Moneyline Split | Favorite Implied Prob. | Underdog Implied Prob. | Total Hold (Vig) |
|---|---|---|---|
| -110 / -110 (pick 'em) | 52.38% | 52.38% | ~4.76% |
| -140 / +120 | 58.33% | 45.45% | ~3.78% |
| -200 / +160 | 66.67% | 38.46% | ~5.13% |
Why does vig matter more than most bettors realize?
At -300, you need to win more than 75% of your bets just to break even. That's before vig is factored in. The actual break-even rate is higher once you account for the margin built into the number. I've seen recreational bettors consistently back heavy favorites and wonder why they're down — the -300 trap is real and the math explains it precisely.
Vig also compounds in parlays. Each leg adds another layer of margin. Two -110 legs on a two-team parlay do not pay true double-odds; the book's cut comes out of every leg.
How do I reduce the vig I pay?
The most practical answer is line shopping across licensed sportsbooks. Different books shade lines differently. Getting +125 instead of +118 on the same underdog is a direct vig reduction — no model required, just accounts at multiple books. Colorado alone has 20 active licensed sportsbooks, giving bettors real options to compare prices.
Watch line movement too. When sharp money hits one side, books adjust. Sometimes the best number is available for only a short window.
Understanding vig on moneylines is the first step to betting with a clear picture of what you're actually paying. Must be 21+ to bet in most states (18+ in Montana, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Wyoming, and a few others). Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.