The Vig

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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.

Looking for more information about the best sportsbooks offers? Go to our list of the top sportsbook promotions in your state.

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Eamonn KeenanEamonn Keenan
Eamonn Keenan, with a Digital Arts Degree from the University of Tampa, brings over a decade of sports betting experience to his role as Creative Director at BettingHero.com. Starting with Betting Hero in the Fall of 2020, Eamonn has been deeply involved in the industry, assisting customers with major sportsbook and casino operators like BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, and others. A self-proclaimed sports fanatic, he has a keen interest in professional hockey, MMA, NFL, NCAAB, NCAAF, and MLB. Eamonn enjoys researching teams and players to predict game outcomes, highlighting his passion for sports betting.