Sports Betting Glossary
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
A
Action
A placed bet of any amount on any game.
Added Game
A betting line that is posted later than the usual rotation. This often refers to games involving lesser known schools or professional teams.
ATS or Against the Spread
Taking the points instead of betting with the spread or laying points.
B
To take a chance on a chosen result of an event. Also known as the wager.
Book
Short for sportsbook. A company that takes bets that mainly involves sporting events.
Bookie
Someone who takes bets.
Bookmaker
Commonly known as a bookie. A bookmaker is a person or a company that takes bets.
Means a $100 wager. Also known as a Dollar Bet.
Buy or Buy Points
An option where a bettor can pay an additional amount to receive a half point or more in their favor on a point spread.
C
Canadian Line
A combination of point spread and moneyline often used in the game of hockey.
Chalk
Refers to the favorite/s.
A bettor who often bets on the favorite/s. Opposite of a Dog Player.
Cover or Cover the Spread
To win by a required number of points.
D
Dime Bet
Means a $1000 wager.
Dimeline
Refers to the difference between the underdog’s price and the favorite’s price. This is often used in baseball.
Dog
Short for underdog. It refers to a team/individual that is not favored to win.
A bettor who often bets on underdogs. Opposite of a Chalk Player.
Means a $100 wager. Also known as a Buck.
E
Edge
Means having the advantage.
Even Money
A bet or wager where there is no juice or vigorish (vig). Its odds are +100 or 1/1.
Exotic Wager
A wager other than a Straight Bet or Parlay. This can be a Teaser, Sweetheart Teaser, If Bet, Reverse or Prop Bet.
F
Favorite or Favorites
The team or individual that is expected to win.
Fifth Inning Line or 5 Inn
Refers to a bet placed on the 1st 5 innings of a baseball game only.
Means a $50 bet. Also known as Half a Dollar.
First Half Bet (1H)
A bet placed for the first half of a game only, usually in football or basketball games. The wagers are settled after the first half of the game.
Future or Futures
A betting line posted in advance for an event that is scheduled days, weeks, months or even years ahead of the actual event.
G
Getting Value
Getting the best odds on a betting line from a selection of multiple sportsbooks.
Grand Salami
The total of all the goals scored in hockey games played on a single day.
Grading
When the wager is settled and the amount is deposited into the bettor’s account.
H
Means a $50 bet. Also known as Fifty Cents.
Handicapper
A person who studies sporting information and creates a prediction of the event’s result.
Handicapping
Predicting an event’s outcome.
Handle
The total money amount of bets taken.
Hedging
A betting strategy where both sides of the event are betted on. This is made to either minimize losses or guarantee a smaller winning amount.
Hook
A half point added to football or basketball betting lines. Related: see Hooked.
When a bettor loses by half a point in any wager. Also known as “getting hooked”.
Hot Game
A game or a match that is drawing a lot of action on one side by professional handicappers.
J
The bookmaker’s commission. Also known as the vig or vigorish. The standard juice is 10%.
L
Laying the Points
Picking the favorite to win in a point spread line.
Limit
The maximum amount of bet a bookmaker can accept.
Line
The current odds or point spread for a given event.
A person who sets the original betting line and the subsequent betting lines. Same as the oddsmaker.
Longshot
A team or individual that is deemed unlikely to win.
M
Middle
To bet on both sides in the same game or event. It is done by betting on the underdog and on the favorite each on different point spreads.
Moneyline
Betting odds where the wager is settled by which team wins. The odds are expressed in terms of money. A minus (-) sign signifies that you need to bet that amount to win a hundred dollars. A plus (+) sign means that you win that amount for every hundred dollars bet.
N
Nickel Line
A reduced juice or vigorish (vig) which is set at 5%.
Nickel
Means a $500 bet.
No Action
A wager that is neither won nor lost. Similar to a Push.
O
Odds
The likelihood of the event’s outcome as expressed in numbers form.
Off The Board or OTB
When the bookmaker is no longer accepting bets on a particular game or event.
A person who sets the original betting line and the subsequent betting lines. Same as the linemaker.
Opening Line
Refers to the first betting line released for an event.
Over
A wager where the total points of both teams combined should be more than the set Total.
P
Parlay
A wager on two or more teams where all teams must win in order to get a higher pay-out. A loss by any team means that the wager is graded a loss.
The margin of victory provided by the linemaker between two teams/opponents. Also known as the spread.
Press
A bet higher than the normal wager.
Price
Refers to the point spread or odds.
Proposition Bets or Prop Bets
Special wagers offered by books on various topics or particular aspects of the game. These events range from sporting events, to politics and other contests.
A push refers to a wager where neither side wins. The amount wagered is returned to the bettor in such cases.
R
Reverse Bet
A wager when two IF bets are placed.
Risk
The amount of the wager placed on a game or an event.
Run Line
Refers to baseball’s version of the point spread.
S
Second Half Bet (2H)
A bet placed for the second half of a game only, usually in football or basketball games. The wagers are settled after the game but only the second half points are considered and not the entire game’s score.
Sides
Refers to the two teams or individuals participating in an event.
The margin of victory provided by the linemaker between two teams/opponents. Also known as point spread.
Standard Line
Refers to the occurrence of a betting line that is -110 for both sides.
Straight-up or SU Bet
Refers to a wager that only considers the result of the game and not the point spread.
T
Taking the Points
Betting on the underdog on the point spread.
Taking the Price
Betting on the underdog on the moneyline.
Combined score of both teams or individuals in an event.
U
Under
A wager where the total points of both teams combined should be less than the set Total.
Underdog
Refers to the team or individual that is more likely to lose in an event.
V
The bookmaker’s commission. Also known as the juice. The standard vig is 10%.
W
To take a chance on a chosen result of an event. Also known as the bet.
