A -110 line means you have to risk $110 to win $100 — the extra $10 is the sportsbook's cut.
Every betting line has two numbers: the side you're betting on, and the price you pay to bet it. -110 is the most common price in American sports betting. It shows up next to nearly every spread and total. The minus sign tells you how much you need to stake to win $100. At -110, you risk $110 to win $100. If you win, you get $210 back — your $110 stake plus $100 profit. If you lose, the book keeps the $110. That extra $10 is called the vig or juice. It's the sportsbook's fee for taking the bet. Over thousands of wagers, that $10 is how books make money.
Example
Say the Lakers are favored by 6.5 points at -110 against the Nuggets. You bet $55 on the Lakers to cover. The Lakers win by 9 — they covered the spread. You get back $105 total: your $55 stake plus $50 profit.
What it means for your decision
When you see -110 next to a line, remember the math. You're not betting at even money — you're paying a premium. To break even long-term at -110, you need to win 52.4% of your bets, not 50%. That small gap is the edge the book holds over every casual bettor. Your decision is always yours.
Frequently asked
Why is -110 so common?
It's the standard juice for point spreads and totals. Books set it there to build a profit margin into every bet regardless of which side wins.
Is -110 the same as even odds?
No — even odds would be +100, risking $100 to win $100. At -110 you pay $10 more for the same $100 win, and that gap is the house edge.
Can the juice be higher or lower than -110?
Yes. Some books post -105 on certain lines (cheaper), others push to -115 or -120. Shopping across books saves real money over time.
Does -110 appear on moneylines too?
Rarely. Moneylines are priced to reflect actual win probability, so they vary widely — a heavy favorite might be -400 and the underdog +320.
Related terms
In the glossary