Reduce Juice

Understanding Reduced Juice at Online Sportsbooks

Most online sportsbooks entice new users with generous welcome bonuses typically matching a portion of your first deposit. But to unlock those funds, you must meet rollover requirements, meaning you have to bet the deposit amount a set number of times. For casual bettors, hitting those thresholds can be tough.

That’s where reduced juice comes in a powerful way to stretch your bankroll without chasing bonus terms.

What Is Reduced Juice?

“Juice,” also called vig (short for vigorish), is the commission a sportsbook charges on a bet. For example, betting $100 on an NFL game often requires a $110 risk. Win the bet, and you get back $210. Lose, and you’re out $110.

The issue? Even a 50/50 win-loss record puts you in the red because of that 10% juice on every losing bet. For instance, win five and lose five $100 bets, and you’re down $50.

Reduced juice sportsbooks cut this commission sometimes down to -105 odds (a 5% fee). That change might seem small, but it adds up fast over a season.

How Reduced Juice Works in Practice

Football & Basketball (Point Spread Betting)

Here’s a standard betting line:

  • New York Giants +7 (-110)
  • Dallas Cowboys -7 (-110)

With reduced juice, the same bet might look like:

  • New York Giants +7 (-105)
  • Dallas Cowboys -7 (-105)

That 5% savings means risking $105 instead of $110 for a $100 win.

Books may also adjust the line slightly when offering reduced juice:

  • New York Giants +6.5 (-105)
  • Dallas Cowboys -6.5 (-110)

You get a better price, but give up half a point so it’s all about weighing value versus line movement.

Using Reduced Juice for MLB Betting

Baseball betting is heavily moneyline-focused, and reduced juice can make a significant difference.

Example from Book A:

  • Baltimore Orioles +140
  • New York Yankees -160

Here, you’d risk $160 to win $100 on the Yankees.

Now compare with Book B:

  • Baltimore Orioles +140
  • New York Yankees -150

That’s a dime line just 10 cents of difference between the favorite and underdog instead of 20. It’s a small edge that adds up over a full MLB season.

Final Thoughts: Why Reduced Juice Matters

When you’re comparing online sportsbooks, bonuses are nice but reduced juice is consistent value. It lowers your cost per bet and increases your profitability, especially if you’re a regular bettor. Smart bettors don’t just chase big bonuses they look for books that consistently help them save money every time they bet.