What Does -110 Mean in Sports Betting?

The Short Answer

-110 means you need to bet $110 to win $100 in profit. If your bet wins, you get back $210 total (your $110 stake plus $100 in winnings).

This is the most common odds format you'll see at American sportsbooks, especially on point spreads and totals. Understanding -110 is the first step to understanding how sports betting actually works.

Why -110 and Not Even Money?

In a perfectly fair world, a 50/50 bet would be priced at +100 on both sides. You'd bet $100 to win $100. But sportsbooks are businesses, and they need to make money regardless of which side wins.

The difference between +100 (fair odds) and -110 (standard odds) is called the vig, juice, or margin. It's the sportsbook's built-in commission on every bet.

Here's how the math works:

At -110 odds, the implied probability is:

110 / (110 + 100) = 52.38%

When both sides of a bet are priced at -110, the total implied probability is 52.38% + 52.38% = 104.76%. That extra 4.76% above 100% is the vig.

How to Calculate Your Payout at -110

The formula for negative American odds:

Profit = (Stake / Odds) x 100

Example: You bet $55 on a -110 line.

Profit = ($55 / 110) x 100 = $50
Total return = $55 + $50 = $105

Or use our odds converter calculator to instantly see payouts for any stake.

-110 in Different Odds Formats

The same odds expressed differently:

Decimal odds are simpler for calculating payouts. Just multiply your stake by 1.909 to get your total return.

The Break-Even Win Rate at -110

This is where it gets important. At -110 odds, you need to win 52.38% of your bets just to break even.

If you win exactly half your bets (50%), you're slowly losing money. Here's the math over 100 bets at $110 each:

• 50 wins: 50 x $100 = $5,000 profit
• 50 losses: 50 x $110 = $5,500 lost
• Net result: -$500

That $500 loss is the vig the sportsbook collected. To actually profit, you need to beat the 52.38% threshold consistently.

When Odds Aren't -110

Not all bets are priced at -110/-110. You'll often see asymmetric lines like:

• -115/-105 (higher vig on one side)
• -108/-108 (reduced juice)
• -105/-105 (sharp book pricing)

The further from -110, the more you should pay attention. Lines like -115 or -120 mean you're paying extra vig on that side. Lines at -105 or better mean you're getting a discount.

Use our hold calculator to see exactly how much vig you're paying on any line.

Finding Better Than -110

Some sportsbooks offer reduced juice as a competitive advantage. Pinnacle regularly prices spreads at -104 or -105. Over hundreds of bets, this difference is significant.

Example: 100 bets at $100 stake, winning 53%

That's $71 more profit just from finding better odds. This is why line shopping matters.

Common Questions

Is -110 the same on every bet?

No. Main markets like spreads and totals are typically -110, but moneylines, props, and futures vary widely. Always check the specific odds on your bet.

Why do some books have -110 and others have -115?

Books set their own margins. Recreational sportsbooks (DraftKings, FanDuel) often charge higher vig than sharp books (Pinnacle, Circa). The difference comes directly out of your potential profits.

Can I find better than -110?

Yes. Shop multiple sportsbooks, look for reduced juice promotions, and compare lines before betting. Even finding -108 instead of -110 adds up over time.

Key Takeaways

• -110 means bet $110 to win $100 in profit
• The 4.76% vig means you need to win 52.38% to break even
• Better odds exist if you shop around
• Small differences in vig compound into significant money over time
• Use a hold calculator to check the vig on any bet