Terms

For enhanced betting experience, one need to be aware of the sports betting terms that are commonly used in the betting industry and among the sports bettors. Here are some common sports betting terms simplified for you: Action – It means having a bet or having money in a game. However, when betting on baseball, choosing action means that you are not concerned about which pitchers are starting the game. Bad Beat – It is referred to a loss that is difficult to digest or simply tough loss. Balance – It means having equal action or same amount of wagers on either side of a game. Beard – A messenger bettor or a person who is used to place bets on another's behalf often to hide the identity of the real bettor. Beef – It means dispute or clash Buck – A $100 wager in sports betting Chalk – The favorite or the team, or individual, which is predicted to win the event. Chalk Eater – A player or gambler who usually only bets on the favorite. Churn – In sports betting, it is the consequence of betting and re-betting money Circle Game – It is a game in which betting action is limited usually due to uncertainties about weather, injuries, propositions, halves of the game, added games etc. Circle game is not included in teasers of parlays. Cover – In sports gambling, this term is used for point spread win. Degenerate – A gambling degenerate is a person with a gambling problem or a compulsive gambler who chases when losing and cannot stop betting. Dime – A sports betting wager of $1000. Dog – The underdog or team perceived to lose. Dollar – $100 sports wager Earn – In sportsbook, betting it is the practical hold percentage. Edge – It is the advantage a person has over others in terms of sports betting. Exotic Bet – This term means any bet or action except a straight bet or parlay. It is also known as proposition or prop bet. Favorite – In sports gambling, it is the team or individual expected to win a particular game. Figure – It is referred to the amount owed by or to a bookmaker. Get Down – It means placing a wager or bet. Gross Win – It is the revenue or win before expenses. Handicapper – In sports betting, a handicapper is a person who studies sports and predicts outcomes of sporting events. Handle – It means the total amount of wagers placed or simply total betting volume. Hedge – A gambling term that means betting on the opposite side of your original wager, in order to reduce the amount of action, you have on a game, or assure a minimum amount of winnings. Hook – In sports betting, it means half point in point spreads, as in “lost by the hook.” Half point is usually added to football and basketball betting lines. Home Field Advantage – It is the edge, the home team is perceived to have, due to the familiarity and experience with the arena and effect of travel on the visiting team. Hoops – In sportsbook betting, it is another term for basketball. Hot Tip – It is the information the bookmaker is still not cognizant of or is unaware. Juice – It is the bookmaker's commission on losing a bet. Also known as the “vig” or “vigorish,” juice is most often referred to the -110 stake football bettors place on straight wagers. Lay Off – It is a bet made on a game by a house with another bookmaker to balance his action and reduce the exposure or risk. A bookmaker who has accepted too much action on one side of an event may lay off by placing a wager with another bookmaker to ensure that he is not over exposed. Lay A Price – In sports betting, it means bet a favorite or lay the points. Limit – It is the maximum amount of bet accepted by the house before the odds/ points or price is changed by the bookmaker. Line – It means the betting proposition on a game or simply current payoff odds/ point spread on a particular event. Long Shot – A team or player is large underdog or not expected to win. Middle – It means winning both sides of the same game in sports betting event. In simple words, one bets on the underdog at one point spread and the favorite on other spread and wins both the bets. For example, if you bet the underdog +3 1/2 and the favorite -2 1/2 and the favorite wins by 3, you've MIDDLED the book. The book has BEEN MIDDLED. Minus Pool – In pari-mutuel betting, when after the take is extracted, there is insufficient money to pay winning patrons the minimum bet. The track is then supposed to make up the difference. Mutual – It is the price or amount paid after winning a pari-mutuel wager. Neutral Site – In sports betting, it is the term used for an arena, court, or field, where neither side has a home field advantage. Nickel –$500 in sports betting action Off The Board – It is the game where no bets are being accepted by the sportsbook. Out – It is the term usually used for an illegal bookmaker. Overplay – It is a situation when the odds on a proposition are in favor of the bettor rather than the house or sportsbook. Parlay – It is a type of bet, where you wager on two or more teams and all the teams must win or cover the point spread for the bettor to win. Past Post – When someone wagers after an event have already started, it is known as past post. Pick or Pick'em – It is a game where neither team is favored. Player – Bettor, gambler, or punter. Practical Hold Percentage – In sports gambling, it is the amount won by a bookmaker divided by the total amount booked or staked. Press – It means to bet a larger amount than usual in sports betting Price – A betting term for betting line/odds or point spread. Puppy – Another term for underdog Push – Sports betting term for a tie Round Robin – A series of parlays or a series of three or more teams in two-team parlays Rundown – Line update or the lines for a particular sport, date and time Scalper – It is a sports betting term used for a person who tries to profit from the differences in odds at various sportsbooks by betting both sides of the same game at different odds. Score – It means winning a lot of money Scratch – To withdraw or cancel Sharp – A sharp is a wise guy, professional or smart bettor Side – It means to win one side and tie the other. For example, if you lay -2 1/2 and take 3 on the same game and the favorite wins by 3 then you have SIDED the book. The book has been SIDED. Square – A novice or recreational gambler Steam – When the sports lines starts moving rapidly due to heavy action on one side, then it is said to be “steam game.” Straight Bet – A bet on just one team or player, against the spread. Sucker Bet – A bet having a huge house edge Take A Price – In sports betting, it means betting on the underdog and taking the points or money odds. Tapped Out – A term used for broke, busted, common result of pressing Theoretical Hold Percentage - The edge the bookmaker would have IF the odds guaranteed him a constant commission regardless of the outcome Toss Up – In sportsbook betting, it is the game where the line is close to Pick'em Tout Service – A person or business selling their opinions or expertise in sporting events or wagering. Underlay - When the odds on a sports betting proposition are in favor of the house or sportsbook. Value - An overlay or having the best odds on a betting proposition Vigorish – Often called the Vig or Juice, it is the bookmaker's commission on a losing bet. Wise Guy – An established, knowledgeable, and successful sports bettor or handicapper.