Bookmaker margin (also called vig, vigorish, juice or overround) is the bookmaker's built-in edge. Understanding it is step one to long-term betting profitability. Computing it is straightforward; finding markets with low margin is where pros operate.
Across the three outcomes of a 1X2 market, the implied probabilities should sum to 100% in a fair world. Bookmakers stack their margin on top, so the sum is typically 105-110%. The extra 5-10% is the vig. On every bet, the bookmaker takes that share before the underlying probability decides win or lose.
Margins vary by market. Top-flight football 1X2 in major markets sits around 3-6% (Pinnacle, Betfair Exchange). High-street bookmakers run 6-10%. Niche markets like Correct Score can have 30-60% margins because volume is low and there are many possible outcomes. Lowest-margin markets reward sharp betting.
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Sharp bookmakers like Pinnacle and SBObet historically offered 2-3% margins on football 1X2. Betting exchanges (Betfair, Smarkets, Matchbook) charge a commission instead of building it into the odds, typically 2-5%.
Massively. Football 1X2 is one of the lowest-margin markets in betting. Correct score, scorecast, half-time/full-time and exotic specials can have 20-60% margins.
Sum the implied probabilities for all outcomes. Anything over 100% is margin. The closer to 100%, the better the price.
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