Vigorish means the fee, commission, or built-in charge attached to a casino wager. In craps, players usually hear it shortened to “vig,” especially on buy bets and lay bets. It matters because a bet can look close to true odds, but the casino’s fee changes the real cost.
Plain Talk
In casino language, vigorish is the price of making the bet. Sometimes that price is obvious, like a 5% commission on a buy bet. Sometimes it is hidden inside the payout, like a wager that pays less than true odds.
This glossary page defines the term. For the full game explanation, read Craps and the Glossary.
| Term | Plain-English meaning | Where it appears | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vigorish | The casino’s fee or price on a wager | Craps, sports betting language, commission games | It changes the real cost of the bet |
| Vig | Short form of vigorish | Craps table talk | Easy to miss if you are new |
| Commission | A fee paid on a winning or placed bet | Buy bets, lay bets, baccarat commission games | It can reduce the net payout |
| House edge | The long-run casino advantage | All casino games | Vig is one way the edge is created |
Where You See It
You see vigorish most clearly on craps buy bets and lay bets. A dealer may say the bet has a “5% vig,” meaning the casino charges a fee for giving a payout closer to true odds.
You may also see the idea in baccarat commission games, sportsbook terminology, and casino reporting language. The exact rules depend on the game and jurisdiction. For craps math, Wizard of Odds craps appendix shows how different craps bets compare by house edge, while the Wizard of Odds craps basics page explains the main bet families.
Why It Matters
Vigorish matters because players often compare the headline payout and ignore the fee. That is expensive. A buy bet can look attractive because it pays true odds after the point is established, but the vig means the bet is not free value.
The exact house edge depends on when the vig is charged. Some casinos collect it when the bet is made. Others collect only when the bet wins. Those two procedures do not cost the same.
Example
A player makes a $20 buy bet on the 4. The true-odds payout on the 4 is 2 to 1, so a win pays $40. If the casino charges a $1 vig, the player’s real net result is $39 profit on a $20 bet.
That $1 sounds small. Across many decisions, it is the entire point of the bet from the casino’s side.
From the Casino Side:
From the casino side, vigorish is not a side detail. It is part of the pricing model. The pit, floor supervisor, dealer, and surveillance team need clean handling because the fee affects payout, bankroll reconciliation, and dispute resolution.
In regulated markets, table procedures and internal controls define how bets, fills, credits, and payouts should be handled. For the control environment behind table games, regulator material such as the Nevada Gaming Control Board regulations page is useful background.
Common Misunderstanding
Players often think “true odds” means “no house edge.” That is only true if no fee or reduced payout is attached. Once the vig enters the picture, the bet has a price.
The mistake is not knowing the word. The mistake is failing to ask: when is the vig charged, and how does it change my net win?
Hard Truth
A small vig is still a casino edge. It does not need to look dramatic to drain money over repeated bets.
Related Terms
| Term | Difference | Best page to read next |
|---|---|---|
| Vig | Short table-floor version of vigorish | Vig |
| Buy Bet | A craps bet where vig is common | Buy Bet |
| Lay Bet | A craps bet against a number where vig is common | Lay Bet |
| Odds Bet | A true-odds craps bet usually offered after a line bet | Odds Bet |
| House Edge | The long-run casino advantage | House Edge |
FAQ
Is vigorish the same as house edge?
No. Vigorish is a fee or pricing mechanism. House edge is the mathematical result after payouts, probabilities, and fees are considered.
Is vig always charged on craps buy bets?
Not always in the same way. Some casinos charge when the bet is made. Others charge only on a win. The second version is usually better for the player.
Why do casinos use vigorish?
Because some bets pay close to true odds. The vig is how the casino keeps a price on the wager.
Is a lower vig always better?
Yes, if every other rule is the same. But you still need to compare the full bet: payout, probability, minimums, and when the fee is collected.
Does vigorish make a bet unbeatable?
For regular casino play, the vig usually keeps the bet in negative expectation. It does not mean the bet cannot win short term.
Deeper Insight
Vigorish is easiest to understand as a small toll attached to a bet that might otherwise be too close to fair. In craps, the difference between “vig up front” and “vig on win only” is important because the fee is not exposed to the same probability.
If the casino charges the vig up front, you pay whether the bet wins or loses. If the casino charges only on winning bets, you pay only after the favorable event happens. That lowers the effective cost.
Formula / Calculation
| Metric | Formula | Plain-English meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Net Win After Vig | Gross Payout - Vigorish | What you actually keep after the fee |
| Effective Cost | Vigorish / Amount Wagered | The visible fee as a percentage of the bet |
| Expected Loss | Total Amount Wagered × House Edge | Long-run cost after the math is priced in |
Formula Explanation in Plain English
Do not judge the bet by the gross payout alone. Subtract the vigorish first. Then compare the real net win against the chance of winning. That is where the cost lives.
Related Reading
For the bigger picture, start with Craps, then compare Buy Bet, Lay Bet, and Odds Bet. For the math behind the price, read House Edge and Expected Loss. For casino workflow, visit Back of House and Casino Operations.