Sport Betting Terms
- Ticket: This is another term for a sports betting wager. When you bet in a brick-and-mortar location, they print you out a “ticket,” which is a slip of paper with your betting information on it. This is what you turn in to collect your winnings. Online, tickets are digital.
- Unfamiliar with common betting terms? The staff of the ESPN Betting section puts together a glossary of terms every bettor should know. For example, in a football game, if a team is a 2.5.
Doc’s Sports is offering $60 worth of member’s picks absolutely free – no obligation, no sales people – you don’t even have to enter credit card information. You can use this $60 credit any way you please for any handicapper and any sport on Doc’s Sports Advisory Board list of expert sports handicappers. Click here for more details and take advantage of this free $60 picks credit today.
Action - A sports betting wager of any kind, a bet.
Added Game - For sports betting, a game not part of Las Vegas regular rotation posted as an accommodation to customers.
Here’s a look at some common sports betting terms someone new to the game might need to place those bets – and hopefully cash a few tickets. Accumulator – This is similar to a parlay in that it involves a series of bets in one wager. Each of the bets must win in order for the wager to win. If one leg of an accumulator loses the wager loses. The following is a Glossary of Gambling Terms for: NFL betting, College Football betting, NCAA Football betting, Baseball Betting, MMA Betting, UFC betting, Boxing wagering, NHL betting, NBA betting, NCAA Basketball betting, College Basketball Betting.
Angles – Using key factors from previous events to predict the results for future outcomes.
ATS - 'Against the spread,' taking points rather than betting with the spread and laying points in sports betting.
Beard - In sports betting a beard is a friend or acquaintance who is used to place bets as to conceal the true identity of the real bettor.
Bet – To risk something on the outcome of an event
Book - In sports gambling a Book is an establishment that accepts bets on the outcome of horse racing and sporting events.
Bookie - In sports wagering a person who accepts bets.
Bookmaker – see ‘bookie’
Buck - Sports betting term for a $100 wager.
Buy (Points) - In sports betting, a player pays an additional price to receive half a point or more in his favor on a point spread game.
Canadian Line - In sports betting the Canadian line is a combination point spread and money line in hockey.
Chalk - The favorite.
Chalk Player - In sports gambling this person is someone who usually only plays the favored teams, rarely betting on the underdogs.
Circled game - In sports wagering this is a game in which the betting action is reduced; usually occurs in added games, games with injuries, bad weather, propositions, or halves of games. These games cannot be included in parlays or teasers
Cover - In sports betting this term means a pointspread win.
Data Mining- Searching through a large volume of statistics to find profitable situations to bet on in the future.
Dime - $1000.00 sports betting wager.
Dime Line - In sports betting a Dime line is a line where the juice is 10%.
Dog - In sports betting, the team perceived to be most likely to lose.
Dog Player - In sports gambling this term refers to one who mostly plays the underdog.
Dollar - $100, in sports wagering.
Double action - An 'if bet' in sports betting that is processed if the precedent bet wins, ties or cancels.
Double Bet - In sports betting a double bet is a wager for twice the size of one's usual wager; also known as 'double pop' or 'doubling up.'
Edge - A persons Advantage when it comes to sports betting.
Even Money - Sports betting term 'Even money' is a bet whose odds are 1/1; a wager in which no vigorish or juice is laid.
Exotic - In sports gambling the term Exotic is any wager other than a straight bet or parlay - also called a prop or proposition.
Exposure - The maximum amount of money a sports book stands to lose on a game.
Favorite - In sports betting this it the team expected to win an event. The quoted odds reflect the extent to which the choice is favored.
Fifty cents - $50.00 of sports betting action.
Figure - For sports betting, Figure is the amount owed to or by a bookmaker.
First half bet - In sports betting this is a bet placed only on the first half of the game.
Future - In sports gambling odds are posted in advance on the winners of various major events including the Super Bowl, the World Series, the Stanley Cup, and the NBA Championship this is called a Future bet.
Gamble- To risk money on the outcome of an event.
Getting Down - Sports wagering meaning making a bet.
Grand Salami - A sports betting term meaning the grand total of goals scored in all the hockey games of the day. It can be wagered to go Over/Under.
Half a dollar - $50.00 in sports betting action.
Half time bet - In sports betting this is a bet placed only on the second half of the game.
Handicapper - When it comes to sports betting a handicapper is one who studies, rates and wagers on sporting events and/or races.
Handicapping - In sports gambling this is the attempt to predict the outcome of sporting events.
Handle - A sports wagering term that means the total amount of bets taken.
Hedging - A sports betting term that means placing wagers on the opposite side in order to cut losses or guarantee a minimum amount of winnings.
Hook - In sports betting a Hook is a half point added to football and basketball betting lines.
Hot game - Sports betting term for a game that is drawing a lot of action on one side by knowledgeable handicappers.
Juice - The bookmaker's commission on a losing bet, also known as 'vigorish.'
Laying the points - Betting the favorite by giving up points.
Laying the price - In sports wagering, laying the price means betting the favorite by laying money odds.
Layoff - sports betting term for money bet by a house with another bookmaker to reduce its liability.
Limit - In sports betting limit is the maximum amount a bookmaker will allow you to bet before he changes the odds and/or the points.
Line - In sports betting, the current odds or point spread on a particular event.
Linemaker - In the sports betting industry this is the person who establishes the original and subsequent betting lines.
Listed Pitchers - In sports gambling a listed pitcher is a baseball bet which will be placed only if both of the pitchers scheduled to start a game actually start. If they don't, the bet is cancelled.
Longshot - In sports wagering this is a team or horse perceived to be unlikely to win.
Middle - To win both sides of the same contest in sports betting event. Wagering on the underdog at one point spread and the favorite at a different point spread and winning both sides.
Money line - odds expressed in terms of money. With money odds, whenever there is a minus (-) you lay that amount to win a hundred dollars, where there is a plus (+) you get that amount for every hundred dollars wagered.
Move the line - A player pays an additional price to receive half a point or more in his favor on a point spread game.
Nickel - $500.00, in on a sports gambling wager.
Nickel line - A sports wagering line where the juice is 5%.
No action - A wager in sports betting in which no money is lost nor won.
Odds- The likelihood of the outcome occurring, stated in numbers form.
Off the board - In sports betting this is a game on which the bookmaker will not accept action.
One dollar - $100.00 in sports betting action.
Opening Line- The earliest line posted for a particular sporting event.
Outlaw Line - Term for the earliest line in sports betting. This is an overnight line that only a handful of players are allowed to bet into.
Over - In sports gambling the 'over' is a sports bet in which the bettor guesses that the combined point total of two teams will be above a specified total.
Parlay - In sports wagering, a bet with two or more teams in which all teams must win or cover for the bettor to win and receive higher payouts.
Pick 'em - When neither team is favored. Also called a 'pick' in sports betting terms.
Point spread - In sports betting this is the predicted scoring differential between two opponents as quoted by a sports book.
Power Ratings- The strength of a team in comparison to another team.
Press - In sports betting this means to wager a larger amount than usual.
Price - Sports betting term for the odds or point spread.
Prop (Proposition) Bet - In sports gambling this is a special wager offered by the sports book on unique and various topics. These wagers can be on sporting events, politics, and even trial outcomes. The wagers use the money line format of pay off odds and might included who scores the first touchdown in the super bowl, who will win the next presidential election, or whether or not O. J. will be found guilty.
Puckline - A puckline for sports wagering is giving odds of a goal spread instead of using a Canadian Line in hockey, where both a goal spread and money line are played.
Puppy - The underdog in an event.
Push - When the contest ends with no winner or loser for wagering purposes.
Round Robin - In sports betting this a series of three or more teams in 2-team parlays.
Run down - In sports gambling this is all the lines for an specific date, sport, time, etc.
Run line - In baseball a spread used instead of the money line.
Runner - One who places bets for another when it comes to sports betting.
Scouts - person(s) who waits for what he thinks is an unusually strong wager. AKA. Sports Player.
Sharp - When it comes to sports betting a sharp is a sophisticated or professional gambler.
Sides - In sports betting, the names of the two teams playing: the underdog and the favorite.
Single action - An 'if bet' in sports gambling that is processed only if the precedent bet wins.
Sportsbook- a person or company that accepts bets.
Spread - A spread in sports wagering is the predicted scoring differential between two opponents as quoted by a sports book. See 'point spread.'
Square - A novice when it comes to sports betting.
Steam - In sports betting steam is when a line starts to move rapidly. Most 'steam games' do not necessarily reflect objective circumstances, but are games that a mass of bettors is drawn to for some reason.
Store - A bookie or sports betting establishment.
Straight bet - In sports betting this is a wager on just one team or horse.
Straight-up- Winning the game without any regards to the pointspread.
Systems- Using trends for the past that you are consistent with to predict future outcomes.
Taking the points - When it comes to sports gambling this means betting the underdog and its advantage in the point spread.
Taking the price - In sports wagering this means betting the underdog and accepting money odds.
Teaser - A teaser is a special type of parlay in sports betting in which you adjust the point spread or total of each individual play. The price of moving the point spread (teasing) is lower pay off odds winning wagers.
Ticket - A sports betting wager.
Tie - In sports betting a tie is a wager in which no money is lost nor won because the teams' scores were equal to the number of points in the given line.
Total - The combined amount of runs, points or goals scored by both teams during the game, including the overtime.
Totals Bet - In sports gambling this is a proposition bet in which the bettor speculates that the total score by both teams in a game will be more or less than the line posted by the sports book.
Tout - Someone who sells their expertise on sports wagering.
Trends- Using the past to predict the future focusing in on only one team.
Under - When it comes to sports betting a under is a wager in which the bettor guesses that the total points scored by two teams will be under a certain figure.
Underdog - The team perceived to be most likely to lose. Also known as the 'dog' in sports betting terminology.
Value - In sports betting value means getting the best odds on a wagering proposition; the highest possible edge.
Vigorish - The bookmaker's commission on a losing bet; also known as juice in sports betting.
Wager- To risk money on the outcome of an event.
Wise guy - A wise guy is the sports gambling term for a well-informed or knowledgeable handicapper or bettor.
Gambling Terminology
Slang for gambling is hard, but we’re here to help! Gambling terms vary far and wide, but we have assembled a gambling terminology glossary here. All the gambling terminology and gambler slang you could ever find will be made clear here. You’ll be speaking the gambling vocabulary after a quick review of this page in no time, including betting terms, and slang for gambling itself. Most of these are specific to sports betting, but still find their way to other areas online. Whether you’re into NCAA Football betting, NFL betting, NCAA Basketball betting, College Basketball Betting, College Football betting, Baseball Betting, MMA Betting, UFC betting, Boxing wagering, NHL betting, NBA betting, or all other major sports, you’ll be speaking gambler lingo in no time! This can be particularly challenging without help, as sports betting lingo, bet slang, betting jargon, betting lingo, betting acronyms, sports betting terminology, and specifically basketball betting terms all have very specific sports betting terms that need to be mastered to even make a bet! Football betting terms and football betting terminology in particular can be challenging, but we’ve got you covered there too:Action
- Any time you make a bet, this counts as an action.Added Game
- Any betting line not typically part of the usual pool of games to bet on in the Las Vegas rotation, but is included to benefit those making wagers with a bookie.ATS
- The ATS betting term means Against The Spread. This is when you’re betting on the underdog team to win by a wide margin, and along with it, ample winnings.Bet
- Any time you put down money on the outcome of a sporting event, you’re betting.Book
- Originally, bookies were the ones that took bets on sporting events. Book is short for any sportsbook or related group that takes these bets.Bookie
- The original term that started them all, a bookie is someone that takes bets on sporting events.Bookmaker
- Another term referencing a bookie that takes bets on sporting events.Buck
- A $100 bet, being an example of a sports betting slang term.Buy (Points)
- If you are willing to pay more for it, you can get a half point or more in your favor on any point spread you bet on.Canadian Line
- Alternatively called a Puck Line, this is a mixture of a Point Spread and Moneyline.Chalk
- Another slang term, this one meaning the favored side to win.
Chalk Player
- Anyone that typically bets on the favored side and never on underdogs.Circled Game
- Events of this kind have lower betting limits and limitations on how many people can get so a bookie won’t carry as much risk. Sometimes called a Red Circle box. This happens when unintended circumstances may adversely effect the outcome of an event, such as player injuries, unusual weather conditions, and games being unexpectedly added. Doesn’t include parlays and teaser wagers.Cover
- Any time a point spread is won.Dime Bet
- Another betting slang term that means a $1000 bet is placed.Dimeline
- When the favored party and the underdog only differ on their moneyline by 10 cents, such as the Yankees and Red Socks. This is used in baseball to attract eager gamblings looking for a decent risk to reward ratio. Dog
- The underdog not favored to win in an event.Dog Player
- A gambler that typically bets on the underdog.Dollar Bet
- Another betting slang term, here meaning $100. It’s the same as “Buck,” and they are used interchangeably just like the terms are outside of gambling.Even Money
- Any wager with 1:1 odds, meaning there is no juice or vigorish.Exotic Wager
- Wagers that aren’t Straight Bets or Parlays count as exotic wagers, such as Teasers, Sweetheart Teasers, IF bet, Reverses, and Prop bets.Favorite
- Any side expected to win an event. The opposite of the dog or underdog.Fifth Inning Line (5 Inn.)
- Any bet placed on only the initial 5 innings of any baseball game.Fifty Cents
- Another betting slang term that means a $50 bet.First Half Bet (1H)
- Bets placed on a football or basketball game that only account for the score up to halftime.Future
- The betting odds calculated in advanced on future sporting events.Getting Value
- Gambling vocabulary for the best odds on betting line.Grand Salami
- The Total of goals scored in all hockey games played on the same day.Grading
- After you bet and the event has been decided, this is when the amount is put into your account. Half a Dollar
- Another piece of gambling slang for a $50 wager.Half Time Bet (2H)
Sports Betting Terms Explained
- The opposite of a First Half Bet, this is any bet placed on the second half of a football or basketball game.Handicapper
- These are the people that look at all available information on a sporting event, and calculate the odds of the outcome.Handicapping
Sports Betting Terms Defined
- This is the act of the above when calculating the outcome of an event.Handle
- The gross total of bets taken by a bookie on a sporting event.Hedging
- Betting on both sides of an event to keep losses at a minimum or guarantee a bare minimum amount of winnings. Considered to be a safe betting strategy that sacrifices maximum winnings for protection from losses.Hook
- When half a point is added to football or basketball betting through gamblers buying points. Also referred to as buying the “hook”.Hot Game
- Any game attracting the attention of many professional handicappers.Juice
- A bookie’s commission on the bets made, which is referred to as the “vigorish” as well. A standard juice is typically 10%.Laying the Points
- Betting on the favorite in any point spread betting line.Limit
- A hard limit placed on the total betting amount for any event.Line
- The present betting odds on any event. Lines like these are always updated in real time.Linemaker
- Someone at a bookmaker that establishes an original betting line and all subsequent betting lines stemming from it.Longshot
Sport Betting Sites
- Any side of a sporting event unlikely to win, similar to the underdog.Middle
- A strategy of betting on both sides of an event at different amounts. Called the “middle the game” someone wins, and similar to Hedging.MMA
- Stands for Mixed Martial Arts.Moneyline
- Any betting odds where the wager is settled when one side of an event wins. An example would be a -120 team requiring $120 to win $100 when that team won.Nickel Line
- This is when the commission a bookie receives on a betting line is 5%. Also called reduced juice.Nickel
- A betting slang term for a $500 wager.No Action
- When a bet is cancelled because the event did not happen (i.e. rain out in MLB). All money is returned to bettor.Odds
- How likely different outcomes of a sporting event are, which largely tends to determine the winnings potential.Off The Board
- When a bookie closes open betting for an event.Oddsmaker
- The one that determines the odds of a sporting event.One Dollar
- Another gambling betting slang term for wagering $100.Opening Line
- The initial betting line made public by a bookie for a sporting event.Over
- A bet placed on the total scores of both teams in a sporting event combined. Typically, bets are made that it will be above a specified total amount.Parlay
- Betting on two or more teams at a time. All teams must win in order to receive the highest payout. If one team loses, it is considered a loss.Pick ‘em
- An event where no side of a sporting event is favored to win. Sometimes called a ‘Pick’.Point Spread
- Using the handicap chosen by the bookmakers, this determines how much will be awarded to winning bets.Press
- Betting in an amount that is far higher than a typical wager.Price
- Determined by the point spread or the odds given on a moneyline.Prop (Proposition) Bet
- Betting on two or more outcomes that have nothing to do with an event’s final score or winning team. They tend to be placed on specific players, an entire sport, political occurrences, celebrity gossip, and related things.Push
- This occurs when no one wins a wager. Wagers in this case are returned.Quarter Line (1Q, 2Q, 3Q, 4Q)
- Any bet placed on a specific quarter in a basketball or football game.Reverse Bet
- This occurs when two IF bets are placed.Risk
- The amount that is bet on a particular sporting event.Round Robin
- A style of tournament that allows many parlays to occur at the same time.Run Down
- A summary of the betting lines determined for a specific date, sport, or time.Run Line
- Particular to Baseball, this is their version of a Point Spread.Sharp
- A gambling term for professional or highly experienced bettors.
Sides
- The teams in a sporting event.Single
- A simple wager.Sportsbook
- Much like a bookie, any company accepting bets, in this case on sporting events.Spread
- A short reference used in the same fashion as a Point Spread. Usually posted by the line maker, this is determined by the odds of the outcomes of a sporting event.Square
- Someone new to betting on sports.Standard Line
- When a betting line is -110 for all sides. Standard lines have 10% juice.Steam
- When a betting line changes and is reposted because of how popular it is among bettors.Stake
- The specific amount of a placed bet.Staight Bet
- A bet placed on a single sporting event.Straight Up (SU) Bet
- When a bet is won despite the point spread. This is commonly known as a moneyline wager as well.Sweetheart Teaser
- A teaser which brings together 3 or 4 football or basketball bets and allows for gamblers to adjust their total and point spread in their favor.Taking The Points
- Wagering on the underdog in the Point Spread.Taking The Price
- Wagering on the underdog in the Moneyline.Teaser
- A parlay that allows for an increased point spread or total in exchange for reduced payout odds.Ticket
- Used interchangeably with wager because real world sports betting used to involve giving tickets as proof of a wager. Many still do, such as horse races!Tie
- Also known as a Push. Risk amount of wager is returned to the bettor.Total
- The score of both teams in an event combined, including any overtime.