vigorish

Definition

A charge taken on bets, as by a bookie or gambling establishment.

Etymology

From Yiddish וויגריש (vigrish), from Russian вы́игрыш (výigryš, “winnings”).

Example Sentences

• "The house sets vigs on any game they allow you to bet on. It is your responsibility to play only those games where the vig is not prohibitive. Let's take one more look at how vigorish works for the house."
• "The bookmaker's mean profit per dollar bet is called vigorish or “the vig.” In our example, 11 + 11 = $22 is bet, and the bookmaker wins $1 so the vig is 1/22 = 4.5%."
• "His clients included wealthy women who possessed jewelry of great value, a fact which did not escape the loan shark. When it became apparent that the hairdresser could not meet his substantial vigorish payments, he was pressed into service as a "fingerman" for a burglary ring."