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 variety.
Just as our sports betting guides help with understanding the ins and outs of betting, this list breaks down and simplifies commonly 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 money is bet on an occasion.
Against The Spread (ATS)
How a group or professional athlete performs in relation to the point spread. Usually used when referencing a team's record for covering the spread over a specific 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 set. Usually utilized in an attempt to either increase possibilities of winning or payout.
American Odds
Sports betting chances displayed in numbers varying from 100 and above.
A "-" sign is utilized to suggest how much you need to wager to win $100, while a "+" symbol is utilized to indicate just how much you would profit if $100 is wagered.
B
Backdoor
When a sports betting spread or total bet strikes at the very end of a game or occasion. Usually used when describing an underdog bringing ball game within the point spread late in the video game.
Bankroll
The total quantity of money that a gambler has set aside to bet with. Responsible bankroll management is a crucial part of being a successful sports wagerer long term.
Bad Beat
A bet that looked like it was going to win before losing at the last second, generally due to misfortune or an unlikely play.
Betting Unit
Also just referred to as a "system," this is the basic amount of money that a sports gambler will bet. The amount of the "unit" can vary from person to individual. For a single person, an unit can be $500. For another person, a system can be $5.
Bettor
An individual who has positioned a bet.
Buy Points
The choice to bank on a smaller (or larger) point spread in exchange for a minimized possible payment.
C
Cash Out
A choice offered by some sports betting sites which will allow a gambler to count the wager as a win before the event has actually completed in exchange for a lowered payment.
Chalk
This is another term for a wagering favorite. The side of a bet that the sportsbook deems most likely to win.
Closing Line
The final offered chances before an occasion or video game begins.
Consensus
The quantity of cash (or the number of bets) bet on either side of a video game or event.
Cover
Short for "covering the spread". When a team or private beats the point spread, either by winning by more points than the provided spread (as a favorite) or by not losing by more than the given spread (as an underdog).
For example: If the Buffalo Bills are favored 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 suggests the Dolphins will have covered the spread as a 10.5-point underdog (+10.5 ).
D
Decimal Odds
Sports betting odds that are sometimes described as "European chances" in which you compute just how much you can win on a wager by increasing the amount you bet by the decimal odds offered.
Dime/Dime Bet
A slang term for a $1,000 bet.
E
Edge
When a wagerer thinks they understand aspects that offers them a much better opportunity of winning than what the odds would recommend.
Even Money
A bet that would result in a revenue that precisely matches the amount of the bet. In American odds, chances of +100 represent even money odds.
Exacta
Used in horse racing. Betting on which horses will complete first and 2nd.
F
Favorite (Betting Favorite)
The outcome/team/individual that has the very best perceived chances of winning.
Fractional Odds
Sports wagering chances that are most typically used in horse racing, odds are revealed as a fraction instead of American chances or decimal chances.
For instance, the preferred in a horse race might have 2/1 chances to win, while the 2nd favorite could have 5/2 chances to win.
Futures/Futures Bet
A type of long-lasting bet that will be graded at a later date (near or far). The most common kinds of futures bets are wagers on a sports team to win their season-long championship (Super Bowl futures, World Series futures, NBA champion futures, and Stanley Cup futures, to call a few examples).
This term can likewise be utilized when referring to a wager on a season-long award, a group's season-long win total, or an event that's set to take location at some point in the future like a home entertainment awards event, election, a tennis tournament, a boxing or UFC match, and far more.
H
Handicapping
The process of studying and investigating statistics, trends, and any other aspects before banking on sports.
Handicappers
People who handicap sports and occasions before betting on them.
Handle
The total amount of money that a sportsbook has actually taken from wagers on a game or occasion, or the overall amount of money that a sportsbook has actually taken in wagers over an offered amount of time.
Hedging (Middling)
Hedging bets is the procedure of betting on both sides of the very same bet to ensure very little losses or a surefire profit.
Betting on live odds that are offered while the event or video game is occurring is the most common method to hedge a bet. Middling is a kind of hedging bets.
Hook
The half point (.5) on a point spread or total that guarantees a bet should be won or lost and can not push.
A spread or total 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 refunded.
J
Juice (Vig or Vigorish)
The commission that a sportsbook takes on a provided bet. When a wager is considered a 50/50 bet, the portion difference in between the quantity you revenue and the amount you bet 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 specific variety of points in order to get longer odds than a moneyline bet would use. This is the opposite of "taking the points."
For example: If the Buffalo Bills are favored by 10.5 points over the Miami Dolphins in an NFL matchup, 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 permit you to bet on an offered event or game.
Lines
Another term for sports wagering odds.
Line Movement
Line movement is when sports betting lines relocate responses to various elements. These factors can consist of injury news, weather, or the sort of betting action a line is receiving.
Line Shopping
Line shopping is the procedure of finding and comparing odds from several sportsbooks to find the very best odds for a bet.
Listed Pitchers
The pitchers that are assumed to begin a baseball game when the bet is positioned.
If either pitcher does not start the video game due to a lineup change or other situations, the bet will be void and refunded most of the times.
Live Betting
Live wagering, which is likewise called in-play or in-game wagering, is wagering on an occasion as it is happening. All of the very best online sportsbooks offer live wagering, including BetOnline, Bovada, and Sportsbetting.ag.
Lock
A slang term for a bet that is viewed by a wagerer as a guarantee.
Long Odds/Long Shot
When something is less most likely to take place, the odds are considered "long".
Betting on an underdog would suggest that you're banking on "longer chances" than you would be if you were betting on the favorite.
For instance, if Vanderbilt has +1800 odds to beat Georgia in college football, they have extremely long chances to win.
M
Middling
Middling is a type of hedging bets and is often used with point spread betting in football and basketball. If someone has positioned a bet on one side of the point spread, then do something about it on the other side of the point spread after substantial line movement has happened in an attempt to win both bets if the result lands in between the 2 spreads, this is middling.
Moneyline
A moneyline bet is a simple wager on a person or group to win a game/event without including a point spread.
When betting on a favorite on the moneyline the payout will normally be much smaller sized than it would be if you were wagering on the point spread.
When banking on an underdog on the moneyline, the payout will generally be much bigger 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 reasons.
For example, if a baseball video game is called early due to inclement weather condition, any bets that were contingent on the video game going the full 9 innings will be thought about no action.
O
Oddsmaker (Linemaker)
The person at a who sets the opening line or chances for a given occasion or video game.
Off the Board
When an arranged video game or event is currently not readily available for wagerers to wager on.
Opening Line
The first wagering chances set for a provided occasion or game.
Over
When the number of points (or other quantifiable statistic) goes beyond the offered overall that was bet on.
Example: If the total for the Philadelphia Eagles vs Dallas Cowboys video game is 45, and the Cowboys defeat the Eagles 27-20, that means the over hits.
Over/Under
Another term for a "overall" bet which is most typically a bet on how numerous total points will be scored in a game.
It can also describe a bet on the amount of any other quantifiable figure in an occasion that can be bet on. For instance, numerous prop bets are over/under bets.
P
Parlay
A bet that has several different "legs" included. Each video game or "leg" included in the parlay must strike for the parlay to be thought about a winner.
For parlays-which are likewise understood as mix "combination" bets or accumulators-much greater payment is offered than what would be possible if each leg was wagered separately.
Pick 'em
An occasion or video game in which each side has actually a perceived half chance of winning. There is no favorite or underdog as both sides have actually an equal viewed chance of winning.
Point Spread (Spread)
A set variety of points that is either offered or removed from each side of a sporting occasion to develop 50/50 odds between a favorite and an underdog.
The "preferred" 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 places a bet for another person. Usually utilized by a bettor to bypass limitation or geographical constraints.
Prop Bet
A type of wager that varies from the basic point spread, moneyline, or point overall.
Popular prop bets consist of over/under bets on the total variety of points a basketball gamer might score, how lots of passing yards a quarterback may have, the number of strikeouts a pitcher might tape, or the variety of shots on goal a hockey gamer may take in a game.
Public
The side of a bet that is receiving a greater portion of wagers. Usually referred to as the "public side" of a bet.
Push
When a bet neither wins nor loses due to the video game ending in a draw or the outcome of the occasion lands straight on the offered point spread or total. In these circumstances, sports betting websites will usually refund the betting 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 used in hockey video games.
Typically, you will see the puck line at -1.5 for the moneyline preferred and +1.5 for the moneyline underdog however alternate puck lines may be used.
- Montreal Canadiens (roadway team) +1.5 (-130 )
- Toronto Maple Leafs (home group) -1.5 (+110 )
R
A type of a point spread that's utilized in baseball video games. Run lines always set at -1.5 for the moneyline preferred and +1.5 for the moneyline underdog, but alternate run lines are sometimes offered.
Example:
- New York City Mets (roadway group) +1.5 (-190 )
- Atlanta Braves (home) -1.5 (+160 )
S
Self-Exclusion
When somebody determines themselves as an issue bettor.
If one opts in for self-exclusion at an online sportsbook, that means you are voluntarily selecting to be prohibited from betting at a particular sports wagering site. All respectable sportsbook operators, whether personally or online, will have a self-exclusion alternative.
Sharp
A slang term for a clever sports bettor, normally someone who does it expertly.
Short Odds
A bet expected to have a higher likelihood of winning. The bigger the preferred, the much shorter the odds. Opposite of "long odds".
Example: Georgia is playing Vanderbilt in football. The Bulldogs, with a moneyline of -5000, have really brief odds to win.
Side
Moneyline and point spread bets are called side bets. Sides are wagers that straight include the outcome of a game.
This term can also refer to the team you are putting a point spread or moneyline wager on.
Sportsbook (Book)
A sportsbook is a facility where you can position your bets, whether online or face to face. Also referred to as an operator.
Square
Someone who generally bets on the exact same side that most of gamblers are on. They are generally a novice or brand-new gambler.
Steam
When sports wagering chances change rapidly due to a big amount of money or wagers being put on one side.
Straight Up (SU)
Another term for a moneyline bet.
Example: The Milwaukee Bucks are 25-12 directly but 18-19 against the spread this season.
T
Taking the Points
Betting on the underdog side of a point spread. The opposite of "Laying the points".
Example: The Miami Dolphins are playing the Buffalo Bills, and the Bills are favored by 10.5 points. If you bet Miami +10.5, that indicates you are taking the points.
Teaser
Similar to a parlay except the point spreads or overalls are adapted to provide the bet a much better possibility of winning in exchange for a smaller payout.
Another term for an over/under bet. A wager on the number of points (or other measurable fact) is taped throughout an occasion.
Tout
An individual who sells their sports wagering choices to other bettors.
Trifecta
A type of bet on a horse race. A wager on which horses will finish 1st, second, and 3rd. All three should complete in the right putting for the bet to be graded as a winner.
U
Under
When the variety of points (or other measurable fact) does not go beyond the offered total that was bet on.
Example: If the total (over/under) for the Eagles vs Cowboys game is 45 and the Cowboys defeat the Eagles 27-17, that implies the under hits.
The private or group that has actually been provided chances or a point spread that suggests they're less 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 player to complete with the finest round score within the group of 3 that are playing together that day. The same bet in between two golf enthusiasts who are combined together is a 2-ball bet.
Other Sports Betting Information
Did you find our sports betting glossary helpful?
Together with the everyday sports betting news and views we provide, we likewise offer numerous guides that break down the fundamentals of sports wagering. That includes how to wager on particular sports, leagues, and occasions, types of bets (such as prop bets or futures bets), betting strategies and terms, and more.