A
Action
The total amount of money wagered on a specific game or event.
Against the Spread (ATS)
Refers to taking or laying points (aka the spread) as opposed to taking a game straight up.
B
Bankroll
The total amount of money a bettor has available for placing bets.
Bookmaker (Bookie)
An individual or organization that sets and offers betting odds and accepts bets from bettors.
C
Cover
When a team wins a game by a margin that exceeds the point spread, or when a bet is successful.
D
Decimal Odds
A way of expressing odds in decimal format, representing the total payout including the original stake.
Dog (Underdog)
The team or player not expected to win, usually indicated by positive odds.
Draw
A tied result in certain sports, like soccer, which results in a push for some types of bets.
E
Even Money
A bet with odds of -100, where the potential winnings are equal to the original bet.
F
Favorite
The team or player expected to win a game or event, usually indicated by negative odds.
Futures Bet
A long-term bet on an event or outcome that will be determined in the future, such as betting on the winner of a league or championship.
H
Handicap
The advantage or disadvantage given to a team or player to even the odds and create a balanced betting market.
Hedging
Placing additional bets on the opposite side of an original bet to reduce potential losses or guarantee a profit.
Hook
Half a point added to point spreads to avoid pushes.
L
Layoff
When a bookmaker places a bet with another bookmaker to reduce their risk on a heavily bet event.
Line
Another term for the point spread or odds for a particular game.
Live Betting (In-Play Betting)
Placing bets on a game or event while it is in progress, with odds and options continuously updated.
M
Moneyline
A type of bet where you bet on the outright winner of a game or event without considering the point spread.
Moneyline Odds
The odds presented for a moneyline bet, indicating the amount needed to bet to win $100 or the amount won on a $100 bet.
O
Odds
The numerical representation of the likelihood of an event happening or the potential payout for a winning bet.
Over/Under (Totals)
A bet on whether the total combined score of both teams or players in a game will be over or under a specified number set by oddsmakers.
P
Parlay
A bet that combines two or more individual bets into one wager. All bets within the parlay must win for the bet to be successful.
Point Spread
The margin of points by which a favored team is expected to win or lose. Bettors can bet on the team to cover the spread or the underdog to stay within the spread.
Prop Bet (Proposition Bet)
A bet on a specific event or individual performance within a game, not directly related to the game's outcome.
Push
A tie or a draw between the bettor and the sportsbook, resulting in all bets being refunded.
R
Round Robin
A type of parlay bet that allows bettors to create multiple smaller parlays from a larger selection of teams or events.
S
Sharp
A professional bettor who is skilled at handicapping and often places large bets.
Spread Betting
Another term for point spread betting, where bettors wager on the margin of victory or defeat for a favored team.
T
Teaser
A type of parlay bet where the bettor can adjust the point spread or totals in their favor, but with reduced payouts.
Ticket
A term for a betting slip or receipt that shows the details of a bet.
Total
Another term for the Over/Under bet, which is a wager on the total combined score of both teams or players in a game.
U
Underdog
The team or player not expected to win, usually indicated by positive odds.
Unit
A standardized bet size used to manage bankroll and measure betting performance.
V
Vigorish (Juice)
The commission or fee charged by the sportsbook for placing bets. Often represented by the -110 odds.
Disclaimer
