Sports Betting Glossary Of Popular Betting Terms
If you are brand-new to banking on sports, you will quickly see that there are a great deal of words and terms to take in, both of the formal and slang range.
Just as our sports wagering guides assist with comprehending the ins and outs of wagering, this list breaks down and simplifies typically used sports betting and sportsbook terms.
Popular Sports Betting Terms and Phrases
A
Action
A term for the number of bets placed and/or just how much cash is bet on an event.
Against The Spread (ATS)
How a group or athlete carries out in relation to the point spread. Usually used when referencing a team's record for covering the spread over a particular duration of time.
Example: The Milwaukee Bucks are 18-19 versus the spread this season.
Alternate Spread/Alternate Total
An alternate point spread or total that varies from what the oddsmaker has actually set. Usually utilized in an attempt to either increase chances of winning or payment.
American Odds
Sports wagering odds showed in numbers ranging from 100 and above.
A "-" sign is utilized to indicate how much you should wager to win $100, while a "+" sign is utilized to indicate just how much you would profit if $100 is wagered.
B
Backdoor
When a sports betting spread or overall bet hits at the very end of a video game or occasion. Usually utilized when referring to an underdog bringing the score within the point spread out late in the video game.
Bankroll
The overall quantity of money that a bettor has set aside to bet with. Responsible bankroll management is a crucial part of being an effective sports wagerer long term.
Bad Beat
A bet that appeared like it was going to win before losing at the last second, typically due to bad luck or an unlikely play.
Betting Unit
Also merely described as a "unit," this is the basic amount of money that a sports bettor will wager. The quantity of the "unit" can vary from person to individual. For a single person, an unit can be $500. For another individual, an unit can be $5.
Bettor
A person who has actually positioned a bet.
Buy Points
The choice to wager on a smaller (or larger) point spread in exchange for a decreased possible payment.
C
Cash Out
An alternative offered by some sports wagering sites which will permit a wagerer to count the wager as a win before the event has finished in exchange for a decreased payment.
Chalk
This is another term for a betting favorite. The side of a bet that the sportsbook deems more most likely to win.
Closing Line
The last available chances before an event or game starts.
Consensus
The amount of cash (or the number of bets) wagered on either side of a video game or occasion.
Cover
Short for "covering the spread". When a team or specific beats the point spread, either by winning by more points than the provided spread (as a preferred) or by not losing by more than the offered spread (as an underdog).
For example: If the Buffalo Bills are preferred by 10.5 points (-10.5) over the Miami Dolphins and win 31-20, they will have covered the spread. But if they beat the Dolphins 31-24, that indicates the Dolphins will have covered the spread as a 10.5-point underdog (+10.5 ).
D
Decimal Odds
Sports wagering odds that are sometimes described as "European odds" in which you determine just how much you can win on a wager by increasing the quantity you bet by the decimal chances provided.
Dime/Dime Bet
A slang term for a $1,000 bet.
E
Edge
When a gambler believes they know factors that gives them a better chance of winning than what the odds would suggest.
Even Money
A bet that would result in an earnings that precisely matches the amount of the bet. In American odds, chances of +100 represent even cash odds.
Exacta
Used in horse racing. Betting on which horses will finish 1st and second.
F
Favorite (Betting Favorite)
The outcome/team/individual that has actually the very best viewed odds of winning.
Fractional Odds
Sports betting chances that are most frequently used in horse racing, odds are revealed as a portion instead of American odds or decimal odds.
For instance, the favorite in a horse race could have 2/1 odds to win, while the 2nd favorite could have 5/2 chances to win.
Futures/Futures Bet
A type of long-term bet that will be graded at a later date (near or far). The most common types of futures bets are wagers on a sports team to win their season-long championship (Super Bowl futures, World Series futures, NBA championship futures, and Stanley Cup futures, among others examples).
This term can also be utilized when referring to a wager on a season-long award, a group's season-long win overall, or an occasion that's set to take location at some point in the future like an entertainment awards event, election, a tennis tournament, a boxing or UFC match, and far more.
H
Handicapping
The procedure of studying and looking into statistics, patterns, and any other factors before wagering on sports.
Handicappers
People who handicap sports and occasions before banking on them.
Handle
The overall amount of cash that a sportsbook has taken from wagers on a video game or event, or the overall quantity of money that a sportsbook has taken in wagers over a provided duration of time.
Hedging (Middling)
Hedging bets is the process of banking on both sides of the very same bet to make sure very little losses or a surefire revenue.
Betting on live chances that are provided while the occasion or video game is happening is the most common way to hedge a bet. Middling is a type of hedging bets.
Hook
The half point (.5) on a point spread or total that guarantees a bet must be won or lost and can not push.
A spread or overall that does not have a hook has a possibility of landing straight on the offered point spread or total number, which would result in the bet being reimbursed.
J
Juice (Vig or Vigorish)
The commission that a sportsbook handles a provided bet. When a wager is considered a 50/50 bet, the percentage difference between the quantity you revenue and the amount you wagered is called the juice, vig, vigorish or rake.
L
Laying the Points
A slang term for banking on a favorite on the point spread.
You are "giving" the underdog group a certain number of points in order to get longer odds than a moneyline bet would provide. This is the reverse of "taking the points."
For example: If the Buffalo Bills are favored by 10.5 points over the Miami Dolphins in an NFL match, and you bank on the Bills to cover the -10.5, then you are laying the points.
Limit (Betting Limit or Wager Limit)
The maximum that a sportsbook will allow you to bet on a provided event or game.
Lines
Another term for sports wagering chances.
Line Movement
Line movement is when sports wagering lines move in reactions to different elements. These aspects can include injury news, weather condition, or the type of wagering action a line is receiving.
Line Shopping
Line shopping is the procedure of finding and comparing chances from numerous sportsbooks to discover the best chances for a bet.
Listed Pitchers
The pitchers that are presumed to start a baseball game when the bet is positioned.
If either pitcher does not start the video game due to a lineup modification or other scenarios, the bet will be void and reimbursed in a lot of cases.
Live Betting
Live betting, which is likewise referred to as in-play or in-game betting, is wagering on an event as it is taking location. All of the very best online sportsbooks provide live wagering, consisting of BetOnline, Bovada, and Sportsbetting.ag.
Lock
A slang term for a bet that is viewed by a gambler as a warranty.
Long Odds/Long Shot
When something is less likely to happen, the odds are considered "long".
Betting on an underdog would imply that you're banking on "longer odds" than you would be if you were wagering on the preferred.
For instance, if Vanderbilt has +1800 odds to beat Georgia in college football, they have long chances to win.
M
Middling
Middling is a type of hedging bets and is frequently used with point spread wagering in football and basketball. If somebody has actually positioned a bet on one side of the point spread, then take action on the other side of the point spread after significant line motion has occurred in an attempt to win both bets if the outcome lands in between the two spreads, this is middling.
Moneyline
A moneyline bet is a straightforward wager on an individual or group to win a game/event without involving a point spread.
When betting on a preferred on the moneyline the payment will generally be much smaller than it would be if you were banking on the point spread.
When betting on an underdog on the moneyline, the payout will generally be much larger than it would be if you were banking on the point spread.
N
Nickel/Nickel Bet
A slang term for a $500 bet. A "huge nickel" bet is a $5,000 bet.
No Action
A wager that is cancelled and refunded due to a variety of different possible factors.
For example, if a baseball video game is called early due to inclement weather, any bets that were contingent on the game going the full 9 innings will be thought about no action.
O
Oddsmaker (Linemaker)
The individual at a sportsbook who sets the opening line or odds for an offered event or video game.
Off the Board
When a scheduled video game or event is presently not offered for wagerers to bet on.
Opening Line
The first wagering odds set for a given event or video game.
Over
When the variety of points (or other quantifiable figure) surpasses the given overall that was wagered on.
Example: If the total for the Philadelphia Eagles vs Dallas Cowboys game is 45, and the Cowboys beat the Eagles 27-20, that suggests the over hits.
Over/Under
Another term for a "overall" bet which is most typically a bet on the number of total points will be scored in a game.
It can also refer to a bet on the amount of any other measurable figure in an event that can be bet on. For instance, lots of prop bets are over/under bets.
P
Parlay
A bet that has numerous various "legs" consisted of. Each game or "leg" consisted of in the parlay must pinch hit the parlay to be considered a winner.
For parlays-which are also known as combination "combination" bets or accumulators-much higher payment is used than what would be possible if each leg was wagered individually.
Pick 'em
An event or game in which each side has a perceived 50 percent chance of winning. There is no preferred or underdog as both sides have actually an equal perceived opportunity of winning.
Point Spread (Spread)
A set variety of points that is either given or taken away from each side of a sporting occasion to create 50/50 odds between a preferred and an underdog.
The "favorite" should win by more than the point spread in order for the bet to money. Also typically just referred to as the "spread".
- Miami Dolphins +10.5 (-110 )
- Buffalo Bills -10.5 (-110 )
Proxy
Someone who positions a bet for somebody else. Usually utilized by a wagerer to bypass limitation or geographical limitations.
Prop Bet
A type of wager that differs from the fundamental point spread, moneyline, or point total.
Popular prop bets consist of over/under bets on the overall number of points a basketball gamer might score, the number of passing yards a quarterback might have, the number of strikeouts a pitcher may tape, or the variety of shots on goal a hockey player may take in a game.
Public
The side of a bet that is getting a greater portion of wagers. Usually described as the "public side" of a bet.
Push
When a bet neither wins nor loses due to the game ending in a draw or the result of the occasion lands directly on the offered point spread or overall. In these circumstances, sports betting sites will generally reimburse the wagering stake.
Example: If the overall for the Philadelphia Eagles vs Dallas Cowboys video game is 45, and the Cowboys beat the Eagles 24-21, then there is a push for over/under bets.
Puck Line
A form of a point spread utilized in hockey games.
Typically, you will see the puck line at -1.5 for the moneyline favorite and +1.5 for the moneyline underdog but alternate puck lines might be used.
- Montreal Canadiens (road group) +1.5 (-130 )
- Toronto Maple Leafs (home team) -1.5 (+110 )
R
A form of a point spread that's used in baseball video games. Run lines constantly set at -1.5 for the moneyline preferred and +1.5 for the moneyline underdog, but alternate run lines are in some cases provided.
Example:
- New York City Mets (road team) +1.5 (-190 )
- Atlanta Braves (home) -1.5 (+160 )
S
Self-Exclusion
When somebody determines themselves as a problem gambler.
If one opts in for self-exclusion at an online sportsbook, that suggests you are willingly choosing to be banned from gambling at a specific sports betting site. All reputable sportsbook operators, whether personally or online, will have a self-exclusion alternative.
Sharp
A slang term for a clever sports bettor, usually someone who does it expertly.
Short Odds
A bet expected to have a higher possibility of winning. The bigger the favorite, the shorter the odds. Opposite of "long shots".
Example: Georgia is playing Vanderbilt in football. The Bulldogs, with a moneyline of -5000, have extremely brief chances to win.
Side
Moneyline and point spread bets are referred to as side bets. Sides are wagers that directly involve the outcome of a video game.
This term can also refer to the team you are placing a point spread or moneyline wager on.
Sportsbook (Book)
A sportsbook is a facility where you can place your bets, whether online or in individual. Also referred to as an operator.
Square
Someone who normally bets on the same side that most of wagerers are on. They are typically a novice or new gambler.
Steam
When sports wagering chances alter rapidly due to a big quantity of cash or wagers being put on one side.
Directly (SU)
Another term for a moneyline bet.
Example: The Milwaukee Bucks are 25-12 directly however 18-19 against the spread this season.
T
Taking the Points
Betting on the underdog side of a point spread. The reverse of "Laying the points".
Example: The Miami Dolphins are the Buffalo Bills, and the Bills are preferred by 10.5 points. If you bet Miami +10.5, that indicates you are taking the points.
Teaser
Similar to a parlay other than the point spreads or totals are gotten used to give the bet a better opportunity of winning in exchange for a smaller sized payment.
Another term for an over/under bet. A wager on the number of points (or other quantifiable fact) is recorded throughout an event.
Tout
An individual who sells their sports betting choices to other bettors.
Trifecta
A kind of bet on a horse race. A wager on which horses will finish 1st, second, and 3rd. All 3 must end up in the right placing for the bet to be graded as a winner.
U
Under
When the number of points (or other measurable figure) does not exceed the offered overall that was bet on.
Example: If the overall (over/under) for the Eagles vs Cowboys video game is 45 and the Cowboys defeat the Eagles 27-17, that means the under hits.
The individual or team that has actually been provided odds or a point spread that shows they're less most likely to win than the preferred.
W
Wager
Another term for a bet or the act of placing a bet.
3-Ball Bet
A kind of golf bet in which you're betting on a golf enthusiast to complete with the very best round score within the group of three that are playing together that day. The very same bet between two golf enthusiasts who are combined together is a 2-ball bet.
Other Sports Betting Information
Did you find our sports wagering glossary beneficial?
In addition to the everyday sports wagering news and views we offer, we also provide many guides that break down the basics of sports wagering. That consists of how to bank on specific sports, leagues, and events, types of bets (such as prop bets or futures bets), wagering strategies and terms, and more.