In sportsbetting, the vig is short for “vigorish”, which is also known as the “juice” or “rake”. It is the commission charged by the sportsbook for accepting a bet. When you place a bet, you will often see odds listed with a minus sign (-) next to one team and a plus sign (+) next to the other team. The team with the minus sign is the favorite, while the team with the plus sign is the underdog.

The vig is built into the odds that the sportsbook offers, and is usually around 10% of the total amount wagered. This means that if you bet $100, you will need to risk $110 to win $100. The extra $10 is the vig, which is the profit that the sportsbook makes on the bet.

It’s important to note that the vig can vary from sportsbook to sportsbook, and can also change based on betting patterns and other factors. When comparing odds between different sportsbooks, it’s important to take the vig into account to ensure that you are getting the best possible value.

Overall, the vig is an important concept to understand in sportsbetting, as it can significantly impact the profitability of your bets.