Internet sports betting will use a lot of gambling terms that you may not be familiar with as a lot of the language comes from the 'street' language of old school bookies. 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 and other major sports. You will find all the major terms that Internet sportsbooks use in posting their betting lines.

Gambling Terminology

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. Sports Betting terms may seem confusing at first, but the meaning of a term helps better paint the picture to your story. Below is a list of key betting terms you're more than likely to come across at some point in your life when reading about or discussing a particular contest you're interested in wagering on. Action- Placing a wager on a game.

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)

- 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

- 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

- 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.

Sports Betting Terms Spread

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.

Totals Bet

- A bet made on the total score of both teams added together.

Tout

- Someone selling services as a sports handicapper.

Under

- A bet on the sum score of all teams in a sporting event with the Total amount being under a certain value. The opposite of an Over.

Underdog

- Any team expected to lose an event. Also called the “dog”.

Value

- Getting the best possible odds on a wager.

Vig or Vigorish

- A bookmaker’s commission. Also called the “juice,” which is assumed to be at least 10% on a losing wager.

Wager

- Risking money on the outcome of an event. Also called a bet.

Wise Guy

- A highly successful sports bettor.

You’re Now a Sports Betting Terms Definition Master!

With the knowledge you’ve gained here on gambling terms for sports, slang for gamblers, and betting terminology, you’re now fully equipped to bet like a Wise Guy, beat the Spread, and walk away a winner with any Bookie you happen to Wager with. Best of luck in your Sports Betting!

Legal sports betting is expanding quickly in the US, and bettors are eager to put a couple sawbucks on that first NFL game … or tonight’s Yankees games … or on the Red Wings to win the Stanley Cup … or whatever. But maybe this whole sports betting thing is new to you. TheLines has got you covered.

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.

Alternate Lines – All sportsbooks offer lines (point spreads) on sporting events. Some sportsbooks may offer different (or alternate) point spreads that pay different odds for the same game. These provide bettors more options to wager on certain games.

American Odds – American odds are displayed differently than the rest of the world. Moneyline odds are shown as + or – a number in the US. Outside of the US, the same odds might be presented with a decimal point or by a fraction. Example: Yankees +400 American odds would be 5.0 or 4/1. The bettor takes home the same amount of money if the wager wins.

Arbitrage – This betting strategy involves placing a wager on all possible outcomes of an event so that that there’s a guaranteed profit regardless of the winner. This is best done with moneyline or futures wagers in the US and will usually take place across multiple sportsbooks.

Asian Handicap – An alternative way to bet soccer where the better team is “handicapped” to be the favorite. This form of betting was started in Asia.

Backdoor Cover – This is a popular term for a team that covers a point spread late in a game. The team with the late cover may or may not affect the actual result of the game, just the wager.

Banker – A banker is a European wager similar to a round robin bet in the US. Different teams are placed in a “system bet” to make different “accumulator” (parlay) bets.

Bankroll – Total amount of money a bettor has to place wagers.

Beard – This is a person who places a wager for another person who wishes to remain unknown.

Betting Exchange – A betting platform where people wager against one another instead of betting against a sportsbook. The exchange operator takes a small percentage of winning wagers. This is often seen as the most efficient market for sports betting.

Betting Unit – A betting unit is the amount of a typical wager. Bettors may have different sized bankrolls and a unit is a way to share how much was bet without giving away a specific dollar amount. For example, a high roller might have a unit size of $10,000 per wager while a low roller has a unit size of $20 wager per wager.

Bonus – Sportsbooks offer a financial bonus to customers for a variety of reasons. A signup bonus is the most popular way to incentivize bettors to use a certain sportsbook.

Chalk – A term for the team that is the favorite in an event. This team or player is usually a big favorite. The chalk is the expected winner by a large margin.

Circle Game – A game is circled by a sportsbook because betting limits are lower than usual. This most often happens when there’s a questionable injury before a game. It can also happen if there’s potentially bad weather, a trade rumor, or the possibility of “load management” which might give a player a night off.

Opening Line – This is the first point spread available for a game.

Closing Line – This is simply where the point spread is when the game begins.

Closing Line Value – This term is used by bettors to measure the value of the line they wagered before the line that was the last available before a game begins.

Consensus – The general agreement about something. In sports betting consensus could be the most popular teams bet or line available for a game.

Contrarian – Betting against the trends of the mainstream popular opinions. Bettors usually place contrarian wagers when there is value on the opposite opinion.

Dead Heat – Another way to say that there is a tie in a finishing position. Sportsbooks have different rules on how to pay in the event of a tie or dead heat in an event.

Decimal Odds – This is a different way to present odds than Americans are used to. They’re sometimes called “European odds” since this is how odds are listed with European sportsbooks. The math is easier to figure out for most bettors than US moneyline odds. Decimal odds are derived from a simple calculation of the amount bet x odds.

Dime Line – This is a “10 cent” difference between the moneyline odds payout between the money laid on the favorite and the money paid by the underdog. For example, Vegas Golden Knights -125 vs. San Jose Sharks +115. The difference of 10 (dime line) is the traditional profit margin for sportsbooks.

Dog – Short for underdog. This is the team that is not expected to win.

Double Chance – This is a European sports betting term mostly used for soccer betting. A double chance wager allows the bettor two opportunities to win a bet. For example, a result in soccer can be a win, loss, or tie. A double chance bettor may combine two of the three results instead of just one. This gives the bettor twice the chance to win the wager.

Double Pop – A European way of saying that a bettor will bet twice the normal amount. In the US this is known more often as doubling up.

Early Cash Out – A way for bettors to settle a wager for a certain dollar amount before the event is over. This is a way to lock in a profit at a smaller value than the wager would ultimately pay.

Edge – The advantage a bettor has against the sportsbook (or vice versa).

Even Money – A wager that pays the same as was risked. An even-money sports bet is listed as +100 or -100 in a sportsbook. Unlike traditional -110 wager, there’s no vigorish paid to the sportsbook. A bettor risks $100 to win $100 instead of wagering $110 to win $100.

Exacta – Choosing horses to finish first and second in a race. This is sometimes, but rarely, offered for other competitive sports.

Exotic Wager – These are non-traditional sports bets. Exotic wagers aren’t point spread, moneyline, or futures bets on a certain event. This kind of wager is often listed as a prop bet in a sportsbook.

Expected Value – This is a calculation used by a bettor to determine whether a wager should win or lose over time. Positive expected value (EV) bets over time is a good way to become a winning sports bettor.

Exposure – The amount of money a sportsbook potentially could lose for a specific event. For example, sportsbooks might have a lot of exposure (money at risk) on one team winning a championship versus another.

First Half – A derivative bet that can be placed on a sport that has two halves. Football and basketball are the most popular sports to place a first half wager. In soccer, this might be called a “half time result.”

Fixed Odds – These are the odds that most sports bettors will experience. Once a wager is placed, the odds are set and don’t change. Horse bettors might experience a change in odds from parimutuel betting.

Flat Betting – Simply put, this is a betting system where all wagers are the same. A bettor doesn’t change the wager amount based on wins, losses, or any other outside opinion. The wager is usually a percentage of bankroll but could also be a fixed dollar amount.

Fractional Odds – Another kind of odds used mainly in Britain and Ireland. Odds are listed in fraction form (1/5) instead of as a moneyline (-500) that US sportsbooks use.

Grand Salami – A popular hockey bet which the wager is for the over/under on total number of goals scored by all teams in a day. Some sportsbooks may offer derivative versions for home, away, or periods of games during the day. Some sportsbooks may offer a similar bet for runs in Major League Baseball.

Handicapper – A person who analyzes sports events to predict the winning team or player.

Handle – The amount of money a sportsbook or sportsbooks take from wagers. This could be broken down by sport, region, casinos, and more.

Hedge – Hedging is a strategy used by sports bettors to either reduce the risk of or to guarantee a profit from a wager.

Home Field – This the field (court, rink, etc.) where one team plays its games.

Hook – Another way to say half of a point. For example, a team may be a 3.5 point underdog. That could be called “three and a hook.”

Joint Favorite – When there are two favorites for an event. This is mostly used in England.

Kelly Criterion – A popular bankroll management strategy for a bettor who seeks to limit losses while maximizing the amount won.

Layoff – When a bookmaker reduces the risk of losing wagers by placing a bet with a different sportsbook(s). This typically happens when there is lopsided wagering on one side of a game and the sportsbook or a bookie want to alleviate potential losses.

Listed Pitcher – This is a baseball bet that is active only if the pitcher listed as the starter throws the first pitch of a game. If the pitcher doesn’t matter a bettor can place a wager on “action.” The latter wager will happen regardless of who starts the game to the team bet on.

Live Betting – Placing a wager on a game or event while it’s taking place. This is also known as In Play wagering.

Lock – Another way of saying that a team or player will be an easy winner. (Note: This isn’t always the case, no matter what a sports prognosticator or tout says.)

Margin – This is a wager where a bettor selects a team to win or lose by a specific number of points regardless of the point spread. For example, the Oakland Raiders will defeat the Los Angeles Chargers by 10-14 points. The Raiders must win by 11, 12, or 13 points for a win. A victory by 10 or 14 points is a push.

Sports Wagering Meaning

Martingale System – A gambling system where bettors doubles the amount of a wager after losses. This system can be used for sports and other forms of gambling (i.e. blackjack).

Middle/Middling – Middling a sports bet is playing different sides of the same game. This gives a bettor multiple chances to win wagers on the same game.

Matched Bet – When a bettor uses free wagers from a sportsbook operator to increase potential profit. This is a popular technique employed in new legal US sports betting markets as promotional offers are available.

Nickel – Placing a $500 wager. A “Dime” is a $1,000 wager.

Novelty Bet – Placing a wager on a non-sports event with a sportsbook. For example, placing a wager on the Oscars in New Jersey. These kinds of wagers are more popular overseas.

Odds-on Favorite – When a team or person is heavily favored to win a game or event. They often have very low odds paying much less than the amount wagered.

Off the Board – When a sportsbook stops taking wagers on an event or participant they remove the game odds from the betting board. This often happens when a player is uncertain to participate because of an injury.

Public Betting Percentage – This is the percentage of wagers placed by the general betting public.

Puck Line – This is a point spread of sorts based on goals scored during a hockey game. The base puck line for a game is often plus or minus 1.5 since there are so few goals scored. Sportsbooks might offer an alternative puck line with more or fewer goals scored.

Puppy – Another way to say a team is an underdog in a game.

Push – When a point spread wager lands exactly on the line offered by the sportsbook. The bettor receives their money back if they push. For example, New England Patriots are favored by 14 points against the New York Jets. If they win by exactly 14 points, the wager pushes and the bettor gets their original wager back.

Player Props – A player prop bet is a wager on an individual player to do something during a game. For example, which player will score first in a football game?

Power Ranking – (AKA Power Rating) – Creating a ranking score for each team so that a bettor, handicapper, or sportsbook can create a point spread. Experienced handicappers use their point spreads to compare with a sportsbook in order to find the best bets available.

Reduced Juice – When a sportsbook lowers the vig on a game. For example, a sportsbook might offer -105 for a game instead of -110. This reduced juice will allow the potential for a bettor to take home more money if the wager wins.

Glossary Of Sports Betting Terms

Reverse Line Movement – When a line (or point spread) moves differently than the money wagered on the game or event.

ROI – ROI is an acronym for Return On Investment. The ROI of a sports wager can simply be calculated this way: (Gain from Investment – Cost of Investment) / Cost of Investment.

Round Robin – A wager that involves making multiple parlay bets at the same time.

Run Line – This is a point spread of sorts for baseball games based on the number of runs scored. The run line is typically plus or minus 1.5 since there are so few runs scored in baseball. Sportsbooks might offer an alternative run line with more or fewer runs scored.

Sports Betting Terms Defined

Runner – A person who places wagers at a sportsbook for someone else. This person may also be known as a beard.

Sport Betting Terms

Sharp Money – Money wagered by sports bettors that a sportsbook operator respects. Sharp money often comes from large wagers placed by professional bettors. It should be noted that not all large wagers are considered Sharp.

Square – A casual and recreational sports bettor. This is someone betting on sports as a hobby. They’re not as respected by sportsbook operators as sharp or professional bettors.

Steam – This is when odds change because of the money wagered on a game or participant. Some bettors will “follow the money” or “chase steam” thinking the bettors know something they may not.

Straight Up – When a team wins or loses an event. The point spread isn’t involved with the winner or loser.

Take the Points – When a bettor places a wager on an underdog they are taking the points offered by the sportsbook.

Take the Price – Similar to taking the points. This is when a bettor takes the price on a game offered by the sportsbook. The bet is typically wagering a moneyline on the underdog.

Tissue Price – The initial odds offered by a sportsbook. This price is usually considered to be the fairest price on a wager.

TKO – Abbreviation for a Technical Knockout in boxing.

Totals – Totals are the numbers that bettors will choose the over or under on points (or runs, goals, etc,) scored.

Tout – A person who sells or gives away sports betting picks.

True Odds – True odds are the actual odds of an event happening. In sports betting this is the most accurate point spread or moneyline.

Wire-to-Wire – This is a wager that a team will lead at every quarter or for a specific number of quarters. Wire-to-wire bets are the most popular in basketball.