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Sports Betting Terms Every Bettor Needs to Know

Patrick Cwiklinski

By Patrick Cwiklinski

Updated:


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You don’t have to be a sports betting expert to figure out what terms the “sharps” are using. Use this handy page as a catch-all reference for the language of sports betting.

TermDefinition
Across the BoardA way to bet on a horse to place, show, or win
ActionA sports bet of any kind. Can also refer to the number of bets being placed on a certain event or line.
AnglesUsing historical factors from previous events
ATS (Against the Spread)Taking the spread into account when referring to the outcome of an event. Or, taking the points, instead of betting with the spread, or “laying” points.
Bad BeatWhen a sports bet fails unexpectedly.
BeardA friend/acquaintance/colleague who places sports bets in an effort to shield the identity of the real bettor.
BookShort for sportsbook. The establishment that accepts bets, and subsequently pays out winnings. Short
Bookmaker/BookieOriginally referred to the person that would accept bets on behalf of a larger organization. Now, this is just a different colloquialism for sportsbook.
BuckA $100 bet.
Buy (points)When a bettor pays extra to receive a half point or more extra, in his/her favor, on a point spread event.
ChalkThe favorite.
Chalk PlayerA bettor who frequently bets on the favored outcome. They rarely place bets on the underdog.
Circled GameRefers to a game where the betting action is reduced. This usually happens in added games, bad weather, games with lots of injuries, propositions, or halves of games. Often, circled games cannot be included in parlays or teasers. Betting options will be restricted, as will limits.
CoverWinning a bet on the point spread, covering the required amount of points.
Dead HeatWhen two horses finish in a tie.
Dime$1,000
Dime LineA line where the “juice” or “vigorish” is 10%.
DogShort for “underdog”
Dog PlayerA bettor who mostly bets on the underdog.
Dollar$100
Double ActionA sports bet that is processed if the precedent bet wins, ties, or cancels.
Double BetA bet that is twice the size of what the bettor normally wagers.
EdgeAny advantage a bettor has in sports betting.
Even MoneyWhen neither side of an outcome lays any odds, or any “juice.”
ExoticA bet other than a straight bet (moneyline, spread, totals) or a parlay bet. Also referred to as “prop” or “propositional” bets.
ExposureThe largest amount of money a sports book stands to lose on a game.
FavoriteThe team/outcome that is expected to win. Odds will always reflect the favorite.
Fifty Cents$50.00
FigureThe amount a bettor owes to their sportsbook, or the amount the sportsbook owes to a bettor.
Final FourThe four remaining teams in the NCAA’s March Madness tournament.
First Half BetA bet placed on the winner of the first half of an NBA game.
FuturesBets placed on an event/outcome taking place at some point in the future. For example, if one was to bet on the prospective winner of the NBA championship at the start of the season.
Getting DownPlacing a bet.
Grand SalamiThe cumulative total of goals scored in all the hockey games taking place on one day. The over/under is a frequently available betting option for the grand salami.
Half-A-Dollar$50
HandicapperSomeone who rates, bets, and studies sporting events in order to predict future outcomes.
HandicappingAn effort for a bettor to predict the outcome of an event/futures bet. Frequently involves data mining.
HedgingPlacing wager on the opposite side of an outcome in order to minimize losses, or guarantee a minimum amount of winnings.
HookA half point added to the spread or totals, in order to make sure that there are no ties.
Hot GameA game that is seeing a lot of action on one side because of handicappers.
JuiceThe commission that a bookmaker receives on bets. The juice is reflected in available odds.
Laying the PointsBetting on the favorite by giving up points.
Laying the PriceBetting the favorite by laying money odds.
LayoffA money bet placed by a book, at another bookmaker, in order to reduce its monetary liability.
LimitThe highest amount a bookmaker will accept for a bet.
LinesAn alternate term for odds.
LinemakerThe person who works at a bookmaker, who is responsible for establishing betting lines. Also known as an “oddsmaker.”
Listed PitchersA baseball bet that will only be fulfilled if both schedule pitchers actually start. If they do not, the bet is canceled.
LockA sure thing.
LongshotThe outcome perceived to be highly unlikely.
MiddleTo win a bet on both sides of the same event. Placing a bet on the underdog at one point spread, and the favorite at a different point spread, and then winning both sides.
MoneylineBetting on the outright winner of an event. No pointspread is involved.
Move the LineWhen a bettor pays a fee to get half a point (or more) in either direction on a point spread.
Nickel$500
Nickel LineA line at a sportsbook where the “juice” is 5% instead of the regular 10%.
No ActionA wager in which money is neither lost or won.
OddsThe likelihood of an event taking placing assigned by a sportsbook, indicated in numbers form. Odds are expressed with fractions, decimals, or through the American style.
Off the BoardA game or outcome that a sportsbook will not accept a bet on.
Outlaw LineThe earliest line on an event offered. Often an overnight line that only a small group of bettors are allowed to bet on.
Over/UnderBetting either above, or below, the combined point total of two teams during a game.
ParlayAny bet in which at least two outcomes must succeed for the bettor to win. In a parlay, all selections must be correct in order to receive a payout on a parlay.
Pick ‘emA game in which neither team is favored.
PointspreadWhen a sportsbook predicts the scoring differential between two opponents.
PressBetting a larger amount than usual.
PriceThe odds, line, or point spread.
Prop BetKnown as a proposition bet, these special bets offered by sportsbooks on the outcome of various events. Can take the form of unique events within sporting events, politics, and entertainment. An example of a prop bet would be the winner of the opening coin toss at the Superbowl.
PucklineA nickname for the goal spread a sportsbook assigns to a hockey game.
PuppyThe underdog.
PushA tie. There is neither a winner or a loser for wagering purposes.
RolloverThe amount bettors must wager before their bonus money can be withdrawn. It is always expressed as a multiple of either the bonus amount or the amount of the bonus + your deposit.
Round RobinA bet involving three or more teams in 2-team parlays.
Run DownAll of the lines available for a specific date, sport, or time.
RunlineA nickname referring to the run spread on a baseball event.
RunnerA friend, acquaintance, or colleague who places bets for another person.
ScoutsA person who waits for what he or she perceives to be highly favourable odds.
SharpA highly calculating, professional sports bettor.
SidesRefers to both the underdog and the favorite.
SpreadShort for “point spread”
Square A novice sports bettor, someone who bets with their heart instead of their head.
SteamWhen the line starts to move rapidly.
StoreA sports betting establishment.
Straight BetWagering on one single team.
Straight upWinning a game, disregarding any spread.
SystemsUsing trends from the past to calculate future outcome.
Taking the PointsBetting the underdog and its advantage in the point spread
Taking the PriceBetting the underdog and accepting the money odds.
TeaserA special type of parlay in which the bettor is allowed to modify the point spread or total of each individual event. The price of “teasing” is in lower payoffs.
TicketA sports bet.
TotalThe total number of points, runs, or goals, scored during one particular game.
Totals Bet A type of propositional bet
TrendsUsing historical trends to predict future outcomes of sporting events.
UnderdogThe team with lower odds of winning the game. Also known as the “dog.”
UnitThe percentage of your overall bankroll that you wager on a given sporting event.
Value Used to describe odds which are favorable to bettors. Specifically, value is found when the odds are better than the actual probability an outcome will occur. For example, if odds suggest a team has a 40% chance of winning but their chances are actually closer to 60%, the line presents value to bettors.
VigorishThe bookmakers’ commission on a bet. Also referred to as the “vig.” Also known as the “juice.”
Wise GuyA well-informed or knowledgeable handicapper or bettor.
Patrick Cwiklinski
Patrick Cwiklinski

Evergreen Manager; Sportsbook Expert

Following a sports journalism career with his work appearing in outlets like theScore, The Province, and VICE Sports, Patrick moved into the world of content marketing to bridge the gap between great writing and SEO success. He’s brought that same mindset to lead evergreen content efforts at SBD.

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