Every sports betting term you'll ever encounter, defined clearly and concisely. From Action to Wiseguy — your complete reference guide.
A bet or wager of any kind. 'I have action on the game' means you have a bet placed.
Refers to a team's record when accounting for the point spread, rather than straight wins and losses.
The standard odds format used in the US. Negative numbers show how much to bet to win $100; positive numbers show how much a $100 bet wins.
The total amount of money a bettor has set aside specifically for sports betting.
Paying extra juice to move the point spread in your favor. Common on key numbers like 3 and 7 in football.
The favored team or player in a game. 'Betting the chalk' means betting on favorites.
When a team wins by more than the point spread (for favorites) or loses by less than the spread (for underdogs).
The final odds or point spread just before a game begins. Beating the closing line is a key measure of a bettor's skill.
The difference between the odds you got and the closing line. Consistently getting better than closing line is the best indicator of long-term betting skill.
Short for underdog — the team or player expected to lose a game.
An odds format common in Europe and Canada that shows the total payout (including stake) per unit wagered.
The average outcome of a bet if it were placed many times. Positive EV (+EV) means the bet is profitable long-term; negative EV means it loses.
The team or player expected to win a game, indicated by a minus (-) sign in the odds.
A bet placed on an event that will be decided in the future, such as which team will win the Super Bowl or which player will win MVP.
An odds format common in the UK that expresses profit relative to stake.
The total amount of money wagered on a game or event by a sportsbook.
A half-point in the spread. 'Winning by the hook' means winning by exactly half a point more than the spread.
The probability of an outcome as implied by the odds. Used to assess whether a bet has value.
The commission charged by a sportsbook on each bet. Standard juice is -110, meaning you pay 10% to the book.
A mathematical formula for optimal bet sizing based on your edge and the odds. Maximizes long-term bankroll growth.
The odds or point spread set by a sportsbook for a particular game or event.
A bet considered a near-certain winner. Note: there are no true locks in sports betting.
Placing bets on a game while it is in progress, with odds that update in real time based on the current score and situation.
Changes in the point spread or odds between when they open and when the game starts. Movement indicates where money is being wagered.
A bet on which team will win the game outright, with no point spread involved. Odds reflect the probability of winning.
Betting both sides of a game at different lines to guarantee a profit if the final score falls between the two spreads.
A bet on whether the combined score of both teams will be over or under a number set by the sportsbook.
The initial odds or point spread posted by a sportsbook when betting first opens on a game.
When a game lands exactly on the spread or total, resulting in a tie and the return of all bets.
A single bet combining two or more individual bets. All selections must win for the parlay to pay out, but the payout is much larger.
A handicap applied to a game to level the playing field. The favorite must win by more than the spread; the underdog can lose by less than the spread.
A bet on a specific event within a game, not directly tied to the final score. Examples include player stats, first scorer, or coin flip.
A series of smaller parlays created from a larger group of selections, reducing risk compared to a single large parlay.
When a line moves in the opposite direction of the public betting percentage, indicating sharp money on the other side.
A professional or highly skilled bettor who consistently wins. Sharp money refers to bets placed by these bettors.
A recreational or casual bettor, as opposed to a sharp. Squares tend to bet favorites and popular teams.
A parlay combining multiple bets from the same game, such as a team to win, a player to score, and the game to go over.
A sudden, significant line movement caused by coordinated sharp betting across multiple sportsbooks.
Bets placed by professional or highly skilled bettors. Following sharp money is a common strategy for recreational bettors.
A type of parlay where the bettor can adjust the point spread in their favor, in exchange for lower odds.
Someone who sells sports betting picks, often with exaggerated claims of success. Most touts are not profitable long-term.
A standard bet size used to measure performance. Typically 1-2% of a bettor's total bankroll.
Another term for a sharp bettor or professional gambler.