Complete guide to betting terminology. Learn the language of sports betting from A to Z.
A bet or wager of any kind. Having action means you have money on a game.
A team's record when betting on or against the point spread. Measures how often a team covers the spread.
Betting on all possible outcomes of an event at different sportsbooks to guarantee a profit regardless of result.
When a team covers the spread with a meaningless late score that does not affect the actual game outcome.
A tough loss on a bet where you were winning until the very end, often due to an unlikely or fluky event.
The total amount of money you have set aside specifically for sports betting.
The establishment or company that accepts bets on sporting events. Also called a bookmaker.
Paying extra juice to move the point spread in your favor by half a point or more.
The favorite in a game or the team expected to win. Betting on chalk means betting favorites.
A game where the sportsbook has lowered betting limits due to uncertainty like weather or injury news.
When a team wins by more than the point spread, they are said to cover the spread.
The team expected to lose a game. The opposite of the favorite.
A $1,000 bet in betting slang.
A bet on both the halftime leader and final game winner.
An advantage you have over the sportsbook in a particular bet. What winning bettors seek.
A bet where you risk $100 to win $100. No juice. Represented as +100 or even.
The average amount you can expect to win or lose on a bet if you made it many times.
Any wager other than a straight bet, spread, moneyline, or total. Includes parlays and props.
To bet against a team or bettor. The opposite of tailing.
The team expected to win the game. Indicated by a minus sign on the spread or moneyline.
A wager on only the first half of a game with its own spread and total.
Bets on events that will be decided in the future, like championship winners or season win totals.
A person who analyzes and predicts sporting event outcomes for betting purposes.
The total amount of money wagered on an event or at a sportsbook.
Placing a bet on the opposite side of your original bet to guarantee profit or minimize loss.
A half point in a point spread or total.
The commission the sportsbook charges on a bet. Usually 10 percent, shown as -110 odds.
A formula used to determine optimal bet size based on your edge and bankroll. Developed by John Kelly at Bell Labs in 1956, it's now the gold standard for bankroll management among professional bettors and investors. Use our Kelly Criterion Calculator →
Point spreads that occur more frequently than others due to common scoring margins. In NFL, 3 and 7 are key.
Betting on the favorite and giving points via the spread.
The current odds or point spread on a game.
When the point spread or odds change from the opening line due to betting action or news.
Placing bets while a game is in progress with constantly updating odds.
A bet that is considered a sure thing. No bet is truly a lock, but term used for high confidence plays.
Betting both sides of a game at different numbers with the hope that the final score lands between them.
A bet on which team will win the game outright with no point spread. Odds reflect the payout.
The likelihood of an outcome expressed in a format that determines payout. Can be American, Decimal, or Fractional.
When a game is taken off the betting board and no longer available for wagering, usually due to injury or uncertainty.
A bet on whether the combined score of both teams will be over or under a specified number.
A bet combining two or more individual wagers. All selections must win for the parlay to cash, but payout is higher.
A game with no favorite where both teams have even odds. No point spread.
The margin of victory the favorite must win by for a bet on them to pay out.
A bet on something other than the game outcome, like player stats or game events.
Bets placed by casual or recreational bettors, often heavily favoring favorites or popular teams.
When a bet results in a tie. Your stake is refunded with no win or loss.
The percentage return on your total amount wagered. Measures betting profitability.
The baseball equivalent of a point spread, almost always set at 1.5 runs.
Professional or expert bettors who consistently win. Their bets move lines.
Short for point spread. The projected margin of victory set by oddsmakers.
A casual or recreational bettor who typically loses money long term. Opposite of sharp.
When a line moves dramatically and quickly across multiple sportsbooks due to heavy sharp action.
A single wager on one team or outcome. The simplest and most common bet type.
Betting on the underdog and receiving points via the spread.
A parlay where you adjust the point spreads or totals in your favor for a lower payout.
A bet receipt or the bet itself.
Making emotional or irrational bets after a loss, often leading to bigger losses.
Same as Over/Under. A bet on the combined score of both teams.
The team expected to lose, getting points on the spread or plus money on moneyline.
A standard measurement for betting amounts, typically 1% of your bankroll. Used to track performance.
When the odds on a bet are better than the actual probability of the outcome occurring.
Short for vigorish. See Juice.
A systematic approach to managing your betting funds to minimize risk and maximize long-term profitability. Involves setting bet sizes based on your total bankroll using methods like unit sizing or percentage-based stakes. Proper bankroll management prevents going broke during losing streaks and allows sustainable betting over time.
A betting strategy where you wager the same fixed amount on every bet regardless of confidence level or odds. This conservative approach offers consistent risk exposure and is often recommended for beginners. Flat betting sacrifices potential upside from varying bet sizes but provides stability and easier bankroll tracking.
A modified version of the Kelly Criterion that uses a fraction (typically half or quarter) of the full Kelly recommendation. Reduces variance and risk of ruin while still maintaining positive expected growth. Many professional bettors prefer fractional Kelly because full Kelly can be too aggressive and lead to large drawdowns. Calculate your optimal bet size →