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Ever thought about getting in on the action at your local sportsbook but felt overwhelmed by all the lingo? Fear not - we've got you covered.
From moneylines to teasers, this ultimate sports betting glossary breaks down all the key terms you need to know to start placing bets like a pro.
Action: Any wager placed is called "action". Sportsbooks love to get action on games.
ATS: "Against The Spread" - betting record of a team when factoring in pointspread results rather than straight wins/losses.
Bankroll: The total amount of capital a bettor works with over time for wagering purposes. Proper bankroll management is key.
Bonus Boost: Promotions that enhance payout odds for parlay bets meeting criteria to tempt additional wagering.
Closing Line: Final odds and scores the book will accept action on before a game starts.
Digital Sportsbook: Websites and mobile apps allowing remote registration and betting rather than visiting a brick-and-mortar casino.
Don't Pass Line: Opposite of the Pass Line in craps, betting that a 7 will be rolled before the shooter's point number. An odds bet.
Draw: A tie in betting when no team or player scores more points than the other after the game and any extra periods. Bets on either side are refunded.
Exotic Bets: More complex wagers involving things like innings totals, player props or unique game scenarios with lower probability.
Favorite: The expected winning team, listed with a minus odds designation like -150. Must be bet at less than even money to win.
Futures: Long-term bets placed far in advance like on teams to win a title or reach the playoffs. Payouts can be huge.
Halftime Bet: Wagering solely on the result at halftime instead of the final score.
Handle: Total amount of money wagered at a sportsbook for a given event or period of time.
Hedge Bet: Placing an opposing wager to limit losses or guarantee a profit when holding an open bet on something else.
Juice: The bookmaker's commission charged on losing bets that lowers true odds payouts to build a house edge. Around -110 typically for -110 or PK odds.
Live Betting: Placing wagers as action unfolds based on scoring plays and real-time odds shifts. Found at all top online books.
Middle: Successfully betting both sides of a game against the spread due to a favorable line move, guaranteeing a profit. Very hard to do.
Moneyline: Straight bet on a game's winner without pointspread involved. Favorites have negative odds, underdogs positive.
No Action: When there is an occurrence making a bet unable to be settled like a canceled game or event. Bet is refunded.
Online Sportsbook: Websites or mobile apps allowing remote registration and betting from anywhere rather than a casino.
Over/Under: A wager on whether the total combined score will be over or under a predetermined projected number.
Parlay: A high-risk, high-reward multi-team bet where all legs must win for the whole ticket to cash.
Pass Line: Basics bet in craps on whether a shooter will roll a 7 or 11 on their come out roll before a 2, 3 or 12.
Prop Bet: Wagering focused on outcomes other than who wins the game like player performances or scenarios.
Push: When a bet involving a pointspread or total results in a tie. Wager is refunded rather than lost or won.
Runline: Pointspread concept used in baseball betting where 1.5 or 2 runs are added to stimulate betting action.
Sharp: Well-informed professional sports bettor known for influencing lines due to having a betting edge.
Spread: If you think the game will be closer than Vegas predicts, this is the bet for you. The spread "gives points" to the perceived weaker team to even things out. A spread bet means you're wagering whether the final score will be over or under the posted spread.
Sportsbook: Department at casinos and online/mobile where people can place bets on sporting events.
Teaser: Adjusting spreads and totals by configurable points to make picks more likely to win at lower odds.
Three-Way Moneyline: Predict the outright winner with no pointspread between the home team, away team or tied outcome.
Totals: See Over/Under
Underdog: Expected losing team listed with a positive odds designation like +120. Pays more to win than a favorite.
Vigorish/Vig: Nickname for the bookmaker's edge or commission charged on losing bets, usually -110 juice or so.
Wager: Any bet placed on a sports event outcome or in-game occurrence.
With this alphabetized glossary as your guide, you'll have no problem decoding betting lines or following along the analysis from sharp handicappers - but remember, always gamble responsibly! Good luck and enjoy the games.
