The vig is the price you pay for every bet. Most US books charge −110 on standard spreads and totals. Some markets and operators charge less: −105 or −107 instead of −110, or tighter moneylines. Over a full season, that difference is often bigger than your edge.
How much reduced juice saves
| Standard price | Break-even | Reduced price | Break-even |
|---|---|---|---|
| −110 | 52.38% | −105 | 51.22% |
| −110 | 52.38% | −107 | 51.69% |
| −115 | 53.49% | −108 | 51.92% |
A bettor who wins 52% of spread bets loses money at −110 but makes money at −105. The picks are identical; only the price changed. (Break-even by odds.)
Where low-vig prices come from
- Reduced-juice books and promotions. Some operators offer −105 pricing on certain sports or days.
- Exchanges. Bettors set prices against each other; you pay a commission on winnings instead of vig. Effective margins can be very low on liquid markets. (Betting exchanges and prediction markets.)
- Line shopping across many books. Even if every individual book charges −110, the best price on each side across all books often forms a market with very low combined margin. (Line shopping math.)
The "best-of-market" hold
Look at a game where Book A has the favorite at −105 and Book B has the underdog at −105:
- 51.22% + 51.22% = 102.44% → combined hold about 2.4%, versus 4.5% at either book alone.
When the best prices across books get even tighter, the combined hold approaches zero, and occasionally drops below it, which is an arbitrage. (Low-hold betting.)
Low vig on props
Player props usually carry more margin (often −115/−115 or wider). Low-vig prop markets are rarer and more valuable. Comparing the same prop across books frequently reveals one side at plus money. (Player prop line shopping.)
Building a low-vig routine
- Check the odds screen before every bet and take the best price.
- Prefer markets where the best available price is near fair.
- Avoid high-margin products (long parlays, same-game parlays, futures) unless a promo changes the math. (Sportsbook hold.)
- Track your average price: if your bets average −106 instead of −110, you are doing it right.
Frequently asked questions
What does reduced juice mean?
A lower margin than standard, for example −105 instead of −110 on a spread, so you risk less to win the same amount.
Is −105 better than −110?
Yes. At −105 you risk $105 to win $100 instead of $110, and your break-even win rate falls from 52.38% to 51.22%.
Where can I find low-vig betting?
At reduced-juice promotions, exchanges where legal, and by line shopping across many books so you always take the best price on your side.