CALCULATORS

VIG CALCULATOR

Reveal and reduce the profits sportsbooks are making on your bets with this free Vig Calculator.

This is just one of a range of betting calculators we provide at ProfitDuel to help you level-up your betting profits. 

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1. What is a Vig Calculator?

A vig calculator is a powerful sports betting tool that allows bettors to accurately calculate the built-in house advantage, also known as juice, and also vigorish or vig, on a particular bet. It enables bettors to make more informed decisions, leading to more profitable outcomes.

  • Helps to identify the 'overround' or house advantage in a given bet

  • Assists in finding value bets by calculating the true odds and probabilities

  • Guides in adjusting the stake based on the calculated vig

  • Provides a clearer understanding of where money is won or lost in sports betting

 

2. What is Vig in Sports Betting?

Vig, or vigorish (commonly referred to as 'juice' in the US), is a term in sports betting that refers to the commission charged by bookmakers for wagering on their platform. Bearing significant influence on betting outcomes, understanding vig is key to strategizing profitable bets.

  • Vig is essentially the profit margin for a bookmaker in every bet.

  • High vig can decrease your potential profits.

  • The impact of vig is most noticeable over a long period of consistent betting.

  • Vig is usually shown as a percentage of the total bet placed.

  • To be a successful bettor, you should learn how to calculate true probability using vig, and factor it into betting decisions.

Read More: Sports Betting Terms - Top 150 Words & Phrases

 

3. How to Use a Vig Calculator

For improved results, efficiently using a vig calculator is crucial. Regardless of whether you're a beginner or veteran bettor, you can use a vig calculator with ease by following four steps:

  1. Step 1: Input the odds for each potential outcome in a specific sports event into the calculator.


  2. Step 2: Pay attention to the percentage displayed on the calculator. This is the percentage of the total bets that the sportsbook is making on this bet. The lower the % vig, the more room you have to make profit.

  3. Step 4: Assess these numbers and adjust your stakes accordingly to ensure maximum profitability (you can easily potential winnings using a simple payout calculator).

Fact: How much vig the sportsbook is charging can also be worked out by adding together the implied probabilities of each potential outcome of the game, then subtracting 100 from that. Implied probabilities can be calculated using an implied probability calculator

 

4. The Vig Formula: How is Vig Calculated?

Our free Vig Calculator means you don't need to know any formulas to calculate vig effectively, But if you're curious of how it works, we've left in the details below.

The formula for calculating vig in sports betting is expressed as:

Vig = (1 / Odds for Outcome 1) + (1 / Odds for Outcome 2) - 1

Now you know this formula, here's how it's calculated:

  1. Convert the odds for the two possible outcomes (e.g., Team A and Team B winning) into their respective decimal odds format if they are in a different format, such as American odds (+150, -200), fractional odds (3/2, 1/2), or any other format.

  2. Plug these decimal odds into the formula.

  3. Subtract 1 from the result to get the vig.

 

5. What Does Good Vig Look Like?

A fair-market vig often falls within the range of 2% to 5%. This range identifies betting situations where the juice is relatively low, maximizing the potential return on your wagers.

Simply put, you can determine potential profitability using a vig calculator with a small margin, which indicates higher value bets. Should the margin be 0%, you will have found a bet with "no vig odds".


Example of Favorable Vig in Sports Betting

Consider a basketball game with the LA Lakers against the Houston Rockets. A sportsbook has odds of -110 for both teams, implying a 52.4% chance of winning for each.

A skilled bettor researching current form and other statistics may find the likelihood of the Lakers winning is closer to 55%. Using a vig calculator, the bettor finds the -110 odds are over-valued for the Lakers.

The impact of such favorable vig on outcomes can be huge. Realizing the difference between estimated odds and the sportsbook's gives the bettor the upper hand. Given the tip's reliability, there may be strategic value betting on the Lakers.

Sure enough, the Lakers won, delivering a profitable return driven by the clever use of the vig calculator. Though this win may just mean minimal profits, when repeated over time, this process can yield considerable results.

 

6. Vig vs. Juice: Understanding the Difference

Vig and juice essentially refer to the same concept in sports betting, but they originate from different backgrounds.

While 'vig' is a shortened version of 'vigorish,' originating in Russian gambling slang, 'juice' is the more casual, Americanized term used in betting circles.

World map showing where vig and juice come from in sports betting

Despite their different names, vig and juice play the same role - they determine a bookmaker’s profit margin. 

  • Differences largely semantic, Vig and Juice point to the same idea.
  • Both Vig and Juice represent the commission that bookmakers claim on bets.
  • The impact of vig or juice on your betting profitability is identical.

 

7. Tips for Using a Vig Calculator

A vig calculator can be a game-changer for your betting strategy. But applying a few  simple tips can help maximize your profits when using it: 

  1. Understand the Calculator: familiarise yourself with the calculator's features. Some may have multiple bet formate (e.g. American, Decimal) - ensure you're calculating using the right one.

  2. Seek Out Optimal Lines: To enhance your potential earnings, search for the most favorable no-vig lines by comparing them across various sportsbooks. Keep in mind that no-vig lines undergo frequent changes as sportsbooks adjust odds.

  3. Diversify Your Bets: Don’t limit the use of the calculator to one type of bet or sport – diversify for a more comprehensive betting portfolio.

  4. Use Extra Tools: While a vig calculator can be useful, don't depend on it as the only tool in your betting arsenal. Consider using other tools like a hold calculator, free bet conversion calculator, hedge calculator and streak calculator alongside it to enhance potential profits.

  5. Explore Matched Betting: Unlike conventional sports betting, matched betting covers all possible outcomes of an event, ensuring you a guaranteed profit. Utilize your vig calculator alongside other tools to remove risk with matched betting.
 

8. Make Profit Using a Vig Calculator in 4 Steps

Harnessing the potential of a no-vig calculator can be a bettor's secret weapon for making profitable bets while avoiding unnecessary losses caused by inflated vigs.

Understanding how to incorporate this calculator into a winning money-making betting strategy is crucial. Here are the four essential steps to help you do just that:

1. Choose the Right Vig Calculator

Screenshot of vig calculator

To maximize the money-saving potential of your vig calculator, your first step is selecting the right one. Many websites provide access to vig calculators, but picking the wrong one can waste your time and reduce your profits.

Look for positive features in a no-vig calculator, including support for various odds formats, a user-friendly interface, quick odds calculations, and additional on-page information.

2. Find the Best Odds

Screenshot of sportsbook promo offers

Once you've confirmed that you've chosen an effective calculator, it's time to search for the most favorable odds and test them. In traditional sports betting, this might involve hours spent signing up for various sportsbooks, browsing through events, and manually comparing odds. Fortunately, there's a more efficient option available.

Matched betting platforms require just one registration but provide instant access to odds and events from all bookmakers in your area. These platforms also offer extra tools like dutch matchers, which not only help you find the fairest odds more quickly but also ensure profits by matching bets across different sportsbooks in your area and setting up offers.

3. Set Up Your Account

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Now that you've selected an effective calculator and researched the most profitable odds available, it's time to set up your account to start betting. Traditional sports betting involves a time-consuming process of repeatedly entering personal details, bank account information, social security numbers, and undergoing ID checks.

However, with matched betting platforms only one sign-up is required to access all sportsbooks and offers in your area, meaning following this route can be both time-saving and cost-effective. For instance, at ProfitDuel, we're so confident in our platform that we offer new members a half price Premium membership for their first month.

4. Start Placing Bets

Screenshot of matched betting walkthrough guides

At this point, you're ready to start placing bets. If you follow the classic sports betting approach, conducting thorough research into sports markets, exploring various bet types, and crafting a solid betting strategy will be essential to maximize your bets.

Instead, if you choose matched betting, you won't need to invest extra time and effort. ProfitDuel provides a range of comprehensive guides, cutting-edge software, and unmatched customer support to assist you at every stage.

Let us help you level-up your betting game and earn $1,000s each month with the ProfitDuel platform. Get started today!

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