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Sportsbetting
Game Guide

This glossary makes every effort to benefit both bettors and punters in that wagering on sports is popular worldwide.

Several of the terms, lingo and abbreviations originate and are recognized in the UK while otherswill be familiar to North Americans. Examples: Bookmarker, Bookies, Punters = UK. Sports book, Bettors = U.S./Canada.

In order to provide players with a comprehensive sports betting guide, we have combined basic terms and lingo/jargon with specific types of bets in alpha order. Examples: sportsbook and sportsbetting exchanges=basic terms; beard and buy the rack=lingo/jargon along with Ante Post and Asian Handicap=type of bets.

Sportsbook Phrases

Sportsbetting

Wagering on a team or individual sport game.

Sportsbook

Organization online or off that accepts bets on sporting events. A sportsbook will take bets on a wide-ranging number of options.

In order to provide sportsbetting and sportsbook services, bookmakers or bookies request a small commission or vig on all losing bets. The commission will range from the typical 10% to as low as 5%. Following the posted event, the sportsbook will pay winners accordingly.

Sportsbetting Exchanges

Manage wagers between gamblers directly online where players either act as a book themselves by setting things up to earn a profit through others or they will search for the best possible odds from another bettor.

The exchange players are involved only with one another and not the house. However, the exchange charges a commission of the net winnings for each customer on each event.

SportsBetting Strategies

The biggest mistake sport bettors make is following their heart rather than their head - betting on their hometown or favorite team knowing the odds are stacked against them.

Quality bets require research, starting with the newspaper sports section, sports magazines, online forums, searching the internet or the many TV sports programs.

Think carefully about betting more than 2 games that are played at the same time.Are they all quality bets? Can I stand to lose (get waxed) on all these bets, and still stay within my budget?

Remember you have to win at least 53% of point spread bets to keep ahead of the house vig. It is suggested that novice sport bettors get down, placing simply a line bet-which team will win after doing your homework, of course. This will let you wade in slowly as opposed to jumping in cannon ball style.

Upon graduation, you can move forward to Parlays and Teaser bets where multiple correct selections will bring in bigger profits.

This should include Futures betting--betting on a team to go the distance with odds based on that team's projected finish order.

Sportsbetting Terms
for specifiic games

Click on one of the xxx versions below to read more about it.

American Football

First to 3 Touchdowns
sport game bet on the team that will be the first to score 3 touchdowns in an American Football game.
Kick Off
wager on which team will kick off the game.

Basketball

First to 12 Points
betting on the team that is the first to score 12 points in a basketball game.
% to 2 Points
wagering on the percentage of points in a game that will be scored with the 2-point throw by a specific player or team.
First Scoring
betting on how the first points in a game will be scored with choices of
2-pointer, 3-pointer or free throw.
Highest Quarter
wagering on the quarter in a game that will have the highest score.
Largest Lead
sport bet as to which team will have the largest point lead during a game excluding overtime.

Hockey

First Period
sport betting based on the score of the first period in the hockey game.
First to 3 Goals
wagering on which team will be the first to score 3 goals.
Total Assists
betting on the number of assists made by a player or team

Soccer/Football

Last Player to Score
betting on the player who will be the last to score in a soccer match during regulation 90 minutes of play.
Last to Score
wagering on the team who will be the last to score during a regulation game.
Penalty
sports bet on whether or not a game will be decided by penalties.
Player to Score at Any Time
betting that a specific player will score during the match.
Second Half
wagering on the goals of the second half of a game, not including extra time and shootouts.
Up to 70th Minute
game bet on the score at the end of the 70th minute of a match.

Tennis

Aces
betting on the player who serves the most aces during a match.
Fastest Serve
sport betting on the speed of the fastest serve during a tennis match in km/h.
Double Faults
wagering on the total number of double faults by a specific player until the completion of the match.
First Break
sport game bet for the first player to break their challenger's serve to win the match.
First to Win 3 games
wagering on a specific player to win 3 games in a match.
Sets Handicap
betting on the total number of sets that will be added or reduced from the final score of the sets in a match.
Total Tie-Breaks
betting on the number of tie-breaks in a match. Defined as a set that ends 76 or 67.
Total Winners
sports bet on the number of unreturned hits made by a specific player during a match.
To Win First Game
tennis bet on the player who will win the first game of the match.
To Win First Point
wager for the player who will win the first point of a match.
First Set
refers to a bet in tennis or volleyball placed on either the player or team that will win the first set in tennis or volleyball respectively.

Sportsbetting Glossary

Sportsbetting sportsbook glossary A

Accumulator
refers to wagering, or multiple betting by making concurrent picks for two or more sports games with the aim of pressing the winnings of the first win on the bet for the following game each time. All picks must win for you to then cash in on the accumulator. Also know as Parlay betting.
Action
betting or wagering on sports events.
Agent
someone who sets up betting customers in return for a commission.
Ajax
UK jargon for Betting Tax.
All-in
with this form of betting, no refunds are received for scratched or withdrawn teams or participants. In the event of a cancellation, the betting amount is refunded.
All Up
refers to selecting wins for more than one game or event. In order words, a single bet amount is placed on more than one result, thus the stake and winnings of the first selection is then rolled over into the second selection. See Accumulator.
Ante Post
type of betting that is placed 1 or more days before the date of the event.
Arbitrage
term referencing a variation in odds available thereby allowing a bettor to back both sides that results in a guaranteed win.
Asian Handicap
basically, this method of betting eliminates the tie or draw outcome. Thus, the player has two betting options, win or lose, that each has close to a 50% chance of success. The line is then created near 50% resulting in payouts close to even money. This type of betting starts at a quarter goal and can go as high as 2.5 or 3 goals in certain games.

Sportsbetting sportsbook glossary B

Backed
specific team is said to be backed when a large number of bets have been made.
Banker
lingo for a high expectation of a win, a very solid choice.
Bar Price
term for odds of choices based on the last quoted price.
Beard
jargon for a runner who makes bets for others.
Beef
disagreement over the bet result between a bookie and the player.
Beeswax
UK jargon for a betting tax. Also known as Bees or Ajax.
Betting Line
See Money Line
Betting Tax
the taxman cometh based on the bookie's turnover.
Bettor or Punter
jargon for person making a bet.
Big Sports Board
explains these three bets, and quotes betting information.
Book
term for a record of a bookmaker's bets taken for an event and quoted odds to determine profit.
Bookie
abbreviation for bookmaker or a person who takes bets.
Bookmaker
certified bookie that can legally receive bets and give odds to bettors.
Bottle
lingo for 2 to 1 odds bet.
Bridge-jumper
specialized handicapper for large show bets on favorites.
Buck
lingo for a wager of $100 US.
Buy Price
refers to spread or index betting.
Buy the Rack
jargon for betting on all daily double or other combo tickets.

Sportsbetting sportsbook Glossary C

Canadian or Super Yankee
lingo for combo bet of 5 selections and 26 bets.
Carpet or Tres
terms for 3 to 1 odds bet.
Century or Ton
jargon for £100.
Chalk
the favorite bet.
Chalkeater
lingo for someone who bets only on favorites.
Circled Game
a game where betting limits are lowered, typically because of injuries and/or weather.
Closing Line
last list of point spreads before game/event begins.
Combination bet or Combo bet
a group of picks for sports teams or horses to finish first and second in either order.
Correlated Parlay
Correlation is a calculation in which the results of two bets are connected. An example is 2 bets where your team pick has the better score at half-time and then wins the game in the end. The strategy is to wager positively in order that the first bet increases the odds of the second bet win.
Cover
you win by more points than you laid or lose by more points than you had taken with a point-spread win.
Credit Betting
term for bookie extending credit to the bettor.

Sportsbetting sportsbook Glossary D

Dead Heat
sportsbetting jargon refers to individuals or teams that finish an event or game in exactly the same place or score. It's a tie, folks!
Dead Hit
lingo for both bets winning.
Deposit Betting
using monies previously deposited with bookie to place bets.
Dime Bet
$1000 bet.
Dividend
lingo for pre-determined return on any bet.
Dog
the underdog in the game.
Dog Player
player who bets and cheers for the underdog.
Dollar Bet
lingo for $100 bet.
Double(s)
refers to 2 bets on 2 pre-determined events or 2 parts of the same event. Double or Nothing
even-money return, you get your original bet back.
Draw
a tied event. If there is no draw bet offered, the payout is between a determined number of joint winners.
Draw/No Draw
betting that a specific game will end in a tie or dead heat not including overtime.
Drift
lingo for odds that get longer and to the bettors' advantage.

Sportsbetting sportsbook Glossary E

Each Way Bet
2 wagers consisting of a win and place bet, each with an equal stake. To collect, your choice must win and finish in one of the top positions.
Even Money
a bet where one side lays no juice or vigorish.
Exact Score
sport bet on the specific results of the game.
Exposure
maximum amount a sports book can lose on a game.

Sportsbetting sportsbook Glossary F

Favorite
bet refers to the expected winning team or competitor, generally with the most money riding on it.
Field
refers to all participants in an event.
First Goal
betting on the first goal/points in a game
First Half
sport bet on the score of the first half of the game.
First Player to Score
betting on the team member who scores first in the game.
First Quarter
sport bet on the score of the first quarter of the game.
First to Score
betting on the team that will score first.
Fixed Game
illegally manipulating the final outcome of an event.
Fixed Odds
odds that do not change after your bet has been placed. These odds are recorded and payouts are based on these stated odds regardless of any changes afterwards.
Flag
combo bet for 23 bets based on 4 selections in different events.
Flash
refers to changing odds displayed on tote board.
Fold
refers to tally of selections in an accumulator.
Forecast
bet that predicts the first and second winner of an event.
Full cover
jargon for all doubles, trebles and accumulators included in selections.
Futures
bets made today for an event that takes place at a later date.

SportsBetting Terms Defined G

Getting Down
place your bet.
Goliath
whoa - the mother of multiple bets that includes 247 bets for several events.
Grand or Big'un
A £1,000 bet.
Grand Slam
refers to the 4 four major tennis tournaments Wimbledon, Australia Open, French Open and U.S. Open. Additionally, the 4 four major golf tournaments, The Masters, U.S. Open, British Open and PGA (Professional Golf Association) Championship. For baseball, a Grand Slam is a homerun while all bases are loaded, thus scoring four runs. Group Winner: predicting the team to be the group winner.

SportsBetting Terms Defined H

Half-Time
betting on the half-time results.
Half Time/Full-Time
2 bets in 1 based on the results of half and full time.Both choices must be correct to win excluding overtime.
Handicap 0
your chosen team wins. If there is a draw, your bet is refunded.
Handicap +0.5, +1
your chosen team wins or draws, but if your team loses by 1 goal, you lose 50%.
Handicap +1.5
your chosen team wins, draws or loses with a one-goal difference.
Handicap +2.5
your chosen team wins, draws or loses with a goal difference of less than three.
Handicap -1
your chosen team wins with a goal difference of two or more. If your team wins with a one-goal difference, you are refunded your stake.
Handicap -1.5
your chosen team wins with a goal difference of two or more.
Handicap -2
your chosen team wins with a goal difference of three or more. If your team wins with a two-goal difference, you are refunded your stake.
Handicap -2.5
your chosen team wins with a goal difference of three or more.
Handicapper
professional who researches all aspects of the game before betting.
Handle
total money wagered.
Hang Cheng
Asian slang for Point Spread.
Head 2 Head
betting on which team member scores the highest vs. the team member against him/her.
Hedge
to decrease the action by betting the opposite of a previous bet.
Heinz
57 bets
include 6 selections for several events.
Highest Half
betting on highest total score of a chosen half. Basketball and American Football are popular games for this bet.
Home Field Advantage
refers to advantage home team based on fan support.
Hook
half point in point spreads. For example, 3 1/2, 3 and a hook.
Hoops
jargon used to indicate the game of basketball.
Horseracing
known as the sport of kings, horseracing is arguably the most popular sportsbetting venue. This could spark a debate with soccer sport bettors.

SportsBetting Terms Defined I

IBF
International Boxing Federation.
If Bets
placed based on an ‘if clause' with betting selections/teams for football, basketball and baseball games. Thus, when the bettor's first ‘if bet' is correct, they move on the second ‘if bet' until the selections/teams they bet on is not in their favor.
In and Out Teaser
lingo for a combo selection of the favorite, underdog and over and under for the same event.
In The Red
lingo for Odds on.
Index Betting
refers to spread wagering.

SportsBetting Terms Defined J - K

Joint Favorites
jargon for 2 teams that are equally able to win the game.
Jolly
UK jargon used by Bookmakers referring to Favourite.
Juice
commission that goes to the house, also known as vigorish.
Kite
UK lingo for a cheque.

SportsBetting Terms Defined L

Lay a Bet
refers to a bookie accepting a bet.
Layer
yet another term for a Bookie.
Layoff
bookie's bet with another bookie to balance the wagering he has received from his clients.
LBO
abbreviations for licensed betting office.
Lengthen
lingo for odds that are moving longer resulting in an advantage for bettors.
Linemaker
term for individuals who set betting lines.
Lines
jargon for game odds.
Live Bets
betting on a specific sport game during live play.
Lock
lingo for easy winner.
Long Odds
lingo for odds that are more than 10 to 1.
Lucky 15
refers to a group of 15 wagers relating to 4 picks in different events.
Lucky 31
refers to a group of 31 wagers relating to 5 picks in different events
Lucky 63
refers to a group of 63 wagers relating to 6 picks in different events.

SportsBetting Terms Defined M - N

Margin
record of difference between winner of event and other finishers.
Mixed Games
betting on a virtual game between two teams. You are comparing the goal difference between two teams that are not actually playing each other but rather two other teams. The wager encompasses a 90-minute period without extra time or penalty shots for the number of goals scored.
MLB
Major League Baseball.
Most Goals
betting on the time period that has the most goals in the game.
Money Line
is established by the casino in-house or purchased from a company or individual who calculates or makes betting lines. The casino's commission or vigorish is built into the winning bets, just like a banker bet at the baccarat table.The purpose for the casino is not to bet against the bettors, but to provide an equal opportunity for bets on both sides, so the casino does not end up paying out more money than it takes in. It is the line maker's job in creating the betting line to utilize a method of handicapping that will penalize the favorite bet and strengthen the opposition bet. This betting line can rise and fall up to the start of the contest allowing the casino sports book to gather as many bets as possible on the under-bet team, thereby, eliminating steam (heavy action on one side) and establishing a profit no matter who wins the contest.You lay, or give odds when betting the favorite, thus laying or giving a large bet to win small, or taking odds on the underdog (dog) small wager to win big.
MVP
abbreviation for Most Valuable Player.
NBA
National Basketball Association.
NCAA
National Collegiate Athletic Association.
NFL
National Football League.
NHL
National Hockey League
Nickel
lingo for $500.

SportsBetting Terms Defined O

Odds
bookie's analysis of the chance of a win for an event, to include profit.
Odds-Against
term for odds that are more than even.
Odd-Even
betting on whether total goals at the finish will result in an even or odd number.
Odds-On
refers to payout in the minus or the amount bet to win $100.
Oddsmaker
sportsbetting terms for persons who set the odds that are used by sportsbooks or bookies.
Off the Board
no betting accepted, usually in the case of injuries.
Outright Bet
win or lose bet on the outcome of the sport game or race.
Outsiders
jargon for team or competitor who is a long-shot to win, therefore, lengthy odds are offered.
Overtime
wager that sport game will result in overtime.
Over/Under
wagers on the combined number of points scored in the game by both teams. Examples of over/under sportsbetting terms follow.
Over/Under 2 goals line
event must finish with less then two goals or more than two goals. If one goal or less is scored, the under bets=winners and over bets=losers. If two goals are scored in the event, all bets are void. If three goals or more are scored, under bets=losers and over bets=winners.
Over/Under 2.5 goals line
event must finish with 2 goals or less scored in the event. Under bets=winners. If 3 goals or more are scored in the event, over bets=winners.
Over/Under 3 goals line
event must finish with 2 goals or less scored in the event. Under bets=winners. If 3 goals are scored in the event, all bets are void. If four goals or more are scored in the event, over bets=winners.

SportsBetting Terms Defined P

Parlays
combined bets on several games or events.
Patent
combo bet includes 7 bets and 3 selections for different events.
Permutations
refers to 'perm' selections. For example, if you have made 3 selections, A, B and C, you can 'perm' all the possible doubles. Therefore, for this example, all the doubles possible would be AB, AC, and BC for a total of 3 individual bets or lines.
Picks
term for the expert's betting selections.
PK or Pick
evenly matched teams.
Place Bet
a wager where your choice must finish in one of the top designated places. For example, finishing first, second or third in a horserace.
Point Spread Bet
betting information for sports is quoted with the point spread or spread on the big board. The spread gives the underdog extra points, thereby challenging the favorite bettor to bet not just on the win, but the win by more than the spread. A bet on the underdog wins if the game is theirs, or if the favorite wins by less than the spread. If the favorite meets the spread exactly, the game is a tie for the point spread bet, and all wagers are returned. You are always laying odds on a point spread bet for whatever side you choose, thereby paying more, e.g. $11 to win $10 and the house gets it vig. Your bet is now locked in for you, regardless of any future changes in the line. You can buy 1/2 point (+ -) usually 3 limit-by accepting the odds that go along with it. Example: to change a spread from +3 to +3 1/2 or from -7 to -6 1/2 on a bet of $100, you must risk $120 to win $100.
Price
refers to the odds.
Pucks
jargon for game of hockey.
Punter
same as bettor.
Push
point spread tie.
Proposition Bets
wagered on a specific element of a sport game. Eg. how many points/goals will be completed.

SportsBetting Terms Defined R

Return
count for your total winnings.
Reverse Bets
used in combination with ‘if bets' for sides or totals. These bets are generally two straight bets and your reverse bet will be the total for each straight bet. If your reverse bet wins, ties or cancels, you then move to a second reverse bet.
Round Robin
lingo for 10 bets included in this wager.
Rundown
listing of odds on a specific game day.

Sport Betting Terms & Types S

Scalper
bettor who wagers both sides for the same event at different books and prices for profit.
Series Score
betting on the exact score of two teams playing a series of games, in that every win awards the winning team with 1 point.
Shorten
sport betting terms for odds moving shorter, thus reducing or eliminating the bettor advantage.
Shut out
jargon for a bettor who is too late to bet-that window has closed.
Single Bet
down to basics with this type of sport betting. 1 bet=1 event.
Single stakes about or SSA
includes 2 bets on 2 selections.
Sport Games
sport betting terms for events that players can bet either online or off. A sport game can be a team event ranging from soccer, football, basketball or hockey to horseracing, dog racing or individual events like tennis or boxing.
Sportsbook
term for betting shop, bookie or online site that accepts bets.
Spread Betting
refers to the final result of an event where the pay-off is based on the accuracy of the wager, rather than a basic win or lose outcome.
Square
lingo for a newbie sports bettor.
Stanley Cup
Championship of Hockey.
Steam
big money flowing in on one side means the line is moving fast.
Store
lingo for a US sportsbook or a bookie.
Straight or Single Bet
one wager, not a parlay.
Sucker Bet
methods used by bookies to lure rookies to bet more.
Super Bowl
refers to the big game for the NFL Championship.
Super Yankee
jargon for a multiple bet with 5 selections rather than 4.Also known as Canadian or Super Yankee.
System
strategic betting that when correctly applied can gain an advantage.

Sport Betting Terms & Types T

Teaser
combination bet where you can adjust the point spread up or down your way with one wager. This bet results in improving the payout odds for selections made. The number of changeable points depends on the number of the selections: 2 selections of 4 or 5 points. 3 selections of 6.5 or 7 points. 4 selections of 9 or 10 points. The teaser bet loses if the final result is a draw or loss.
The Big Sports Board
explains the wagering and quotes sport betting info.
Thick 'un
jargon for a very large bet.
Three Team Combo & Upwards
your choices for this bet cover 3+ combinations of games/events. All results must be in your favor to win.
Three Way
Make your selection--win, lose or draw for this wager.
Tie
sport betting terms that refers to a draw, stand-off or push.
Time of First Goal
wager predicting the time of the first goal of the game/match.
Tips or Picks
expert handicapper's predictions for a specific event.
Total Bet
is available to wager on the total number of points scored by both teams during the game, based on an over/under quoted number. These bets are layed based on the quoted total number of points scored, OV=betting over what the board offers, or UN=under-betting that the teams won't score that many points together.
Total Goals Minutes
bet for accumulated time of all the goals scored during a game, excluding overtime and penalty shootouts.
Total Minutes
sport betting on how many minutes a specific player will play in a game.
Total Rounds
wagering on the number of rounds that will take place in a boxing match.
Tote
abbreviation for Totalisator that is a system created in Britain to provide pool betting on racecourses.
Trebles
jargon for a triple bet on 3 events.
Trixie
consists of 4 bets involving 3 selections in different events. Example=3 doubles and 1 treble.
True odds
real odds versus the bookmarker's odds.
Two and Three Balls Betting
term used for a golfing bet to calculate which player from a group will golf the lowest score in 18 holes.
Two Team Combo
your choices for this bet cover 2 combinations for specific games/events. All results must be in your favor to win.

Sport Betting Terms & Types U - Z

Underdog
sport betting terms for a team point start in a handicap.
UN
under-betting that the teams won't score that many points together.
Union Jack
lingo for a wager covering 8 trebles on 9 selections A to I: ABC, DEF, GHI, ADG, BEH, CFI, AEI, and CEG.
Value
ah, yes, a handicapper's dream
receiving the best odds on a wager.
Vigorish
the fee/commission paid during specific wagers at the sportsbook.
VS
abbreviation for versus referring to the opposing team. It's Us vs. Them.
WBA
World Boxing Association.
WBC
World Boxing Council.
Welsh or Welch
lingo for a bettor or bookie that does not pay up.
Win Only
jargon for wager on an opponent to win an event. Also known as Straight Out or Money Linebetting.
Winning Margin
wagering on the goal or point difference between two teams at the end of competition.
Wise Guy
jargon for a skillful handicapper or bettor.
WNBA
Womens National Basketball Association.
World Series
the big game for Championship of Major League Baseball. Up to 7 games are played between the 2 league champions where 4 games won establish the world champion.
Yankee
jargon for a wager comprised of 4 selections, merging into six doubles, four trebles and one fourfold, therefore 11 bets.

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