How Much Does Reduced Juice Actually Save You?

The sportsbook business model is based on balancing the action for any particular game and profiting from the vig. The “vig” is short for “vigorish” and the word entered the English language in the early 1900’s. It’s an evolution of the word vigrish, a Hebrew word meaning “winnings” or “profit”.

The standard sportsbook model included a 10% booking fee paid by the loser. This is why you need to risk $110 to win $100. If all bets were lined up evenly on both sides, the house is guaranteed to make money.

Having been in this industry since the late 90’s I can tell you that it is rare that a sportsbook balances the action perfectly. They are usually exposed (if even by a small amount) on one side of the wager. The real power for a sportsbook to make money comes from this lopsided action. They usually have the ability and patience to ride out lopsided games and count on the general betting public to get more bets wrong than they get right.

Of course, if a sportsbook is interested in balancing the books perfectly, they can always layoff some of the action. See: What is a Layoff in sports betting?

The sports betting market is a competitive one. Shops are constantly looking to offer something that players cannot get elsewhere. In a crowded space, you need to have something that attracts players and keeps them coming back. This is where “reduced juice” comes into play. Juice is another word synonymous with vig.

There are various sportsbooks offering reduced juice on specific games and some have even built their entire brand around it.

In the short term, reduced juice won’t make much of a difference in your bankroll. A few wins here, a few losses there… who’s counting? But over the long-haul it can really be beneficial to your bottom line.

In sports betting you need to win approximately 52.4% of your bets to break even. With a reduced juice sportsbook that number is closer to 51%. Over a 100-bet span where each bet is to win $100, this reduced juice adds between $140-$280 back to your bankroll.

Of course, you need to make sure the book you have chosen is solid and won’t rip you off or give you a hard time when you make a withdrawal. This is where sportsbook ratings can be helpful. Knowing which shops are approved by industry insiders is valuable knowledge.