Every sportsbook builds in a margin called the “vig” or “juice.” It’s the fee hidden in the odds that tilts the long-term balance against players. The trick is not to wish it away, but to find “soft” prices—odds that don’t fully reflect real probabilities—across competing books.
What the vig really does
In plain terms, the vig is the difference between the fair odds of an event and what the book offers. If a fair coin toss should pay +100 on heads or tails, a book might post –110 each side. That 10-cent difference is the vig.
The vig means you need better than 50% accuracy on a coin-flip bet to break even. For sports with many variables, this margin compounds. Your edge comes from spotting odds where a bookmaker misprices compared to others or to your model.
Common signs of vig in markets
Look at two-way markets: if both sides are priced worse than the true 50/50, that spread is the vig. In three-way markets (like soccer), books hide vig across all outcomes. Always sum implied probabilities—anything over 100% is juice.
Spotting soft prices
Soft prices appear when different books disagree on odds. They can’t all be equally sharp. By comparing lines, you can identify where one book is offering slightly better value.
A simple habit is line shopping. If most books list a team at –120 and one posts –105, that’s a soft price. It doesn’t guarantee profit, but it reduces vig and increases expected value.
Quick checklist for finding soft lines
- Track 2–3 books regularly, not just one.
- Convert odds to implied probabilities.
- Flag any outcome priced cheaper than the market average.
- Test by betting small; confirm if the book adjusts quickly (a sign they are slow to move).
Cross-book comparison in practice
Comparing odds manually can be tedious. Many players build spreadsheets or use simple scripts to track implied probabilities across books. Even without tools, watching line movement tells you who is slow to react.
If one book lags when news breaks—an injury, weather update, or lineup change—that’s where soft prices surface. The window may only last minutes. Act quickly, but size bets responsibly.
Sample two-way line comparison
| Matchup | Book A | Book B | Book C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Team X vs Team Y | –120/+110 | –115/+105 | –105/–105 |
In this case, Book C’s –105 offers a softer price than others, cutting vig for the same bet.
Pitfalls and practical limits
Books notice consistent value-hunting. Over time, they may limit accounts that only hit soft lines. To extend account life, mix in ordinary bets or spread volume across platforms.
Don’t confuse variance with edge. A soft price improves expectation but doesn’t erase risk. Bankroll units and stop rules still matter. Bet sizing should reflect your edge and variance tolerance, not excitement about “free value.”
Building a long-term routine
To beat vig, think like an analyst. Build a habit of checking multiple books, recording odds, and noting where edges appear. Over weeks, you’ll see which books are consistently softer in certain markets—props, niche leagues, or totals.
By focusing on these niches, you turn line shopping into a steady advantage. It won’t eliminate vig, but it trims the house edge enough to keep you in the game.