Some sportsbooks offer totals at -105 per side instead of the standard -110. That single number cuts the book's hold from approximately 4.76% down to roughly 2.38% — nearly in half. For bettors who play over under bets regularly, the difference compounds fast.
What Does Reduced Juice Mean on an Over Under Bet?
Standard totals price each side at -110. A bettor risks $110 to win $100. At -105, that same $100 profit costs only $105 in risk. The sportsbook earns less commission per bet. The bettor keeps more of every winning dollar.
To understand why -110 is the default in the first place, see the Over Under Odds and Payouts: How -110 Juice Works breakdown, which covers how the vig is baked into each side of a totals market.
How Much Does the Hold Drop?
At -110/-110, the implied probabilities sum to roughly 104.76%. The 4.76% excess is the book's margin. At -105/-105, the sum drops to approximately 102.38%, cutting the margin to about 2.38%. That is covered in more detail at Overround Explained: Why Game Totals Beat Futures and Props for Bettors.
| Odds Per Side | Risk to Win $100 | Book's Hold | Break-Even Win Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| -110 (standard) | $110 | ~4.76% | ~52.38% |
| -105 (reduced juice) | $105 | ~2.38% | ~51.22% |
| -100 (no-vig) | $100 | 0% | 50.00% |
Dropping from 52.38% to 51.22% as the break-even threshold sounds small. Across hundreds of totals bets per season, that gap is meaningful for anyone tracking results seriously.
Who Benefits Most from -105 Lines?
High-volume recreational bettors who play game totals consistently. Casual bettors who place a handful of wagers per week will barely notice. Players chasing Line Movement on Totals: How Sharp Bets Shift the Over Under Number or hunting value in alternate markets see a more direct benefit because reduced juice raises the ceiling on return.
Bettors who prefer Alternate Totals should note that alternate lines typically carry adjusted odds and may not qualify for a book's reduced-juice pricing.
Where to Find Reduced Juice Totals
Not all licensed US sportsbooks offer -105 lines. The Best Sportsbooks for Over Under Bets: Where to Bet Totals Legally page lists verified operators by state and notes which books compete on pricing. Colorado, for example, has up to 30 licensed books with 20 currently active — more competition generally means more pricing variation.
State availability matters. Online sports betting is legal in roughly 32 states as of 2026. California and Texas still have no legal online options. Always verify your state before depositing. Must be 21+ in most states. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Does the Difference Show Up in Taxes?
Reduced juice does not change federal tax rules. All over under winnings are taxable income. A W-2G is issued when net winnings exceed $600 and are at least 300 times the wager. Starting tax year 2026, a new $2,000 reporting threshold applies. Full details are at Taxes on Over Under Winnings: W-2G Thresholds and Federal Rules for 2026.
Keep wagering tickets and bank records regardless of which odds you bet. The IRS expects documentation even when no W-2G is issued.
Bottom Line on Reduced Juice Over Under Bets
Reduced juice totals at -105 cut the book's hold in half compared to the standard -110 line. The break-even win rate drops by more than one full percentage point. For any bettor placing over under bets with regularity, finding a licensed book that offers -105 lines is one of the simplest ways to improve long-run math without changing strategy. Check your state's legal options and compare books before committing to one platform.