Sports Betting Glossary
Action – Having a bet on a game or event.
Alternative Line – An adjusted spread or total with different odds.
ATS (Against the Spread) – A team’s record versus the betting line.
Backdoor Cover – A late score that allows a team to cover unexpectedly.
Bad Beat – A bet that loses in a heartbreaking or unlikely fashion.
Bet/Wager – Money risked on a sporting event.
Book – Short for sportsbook.
Cashout – Settling a bet before the event ends.
Chalk – The favorite in a game.
Closing Line – The final betting line before the game starts.
CLV (Closing Line Value) – Beating the closing number with a better line.
Cover – When a team beats the spread.
Edge – A perceived advantage over the sportsbook.
Even Money – Odds that pay $1 for every $1 wagered.
Fade – To bet against a team, player, or handicapper.
Favorite – The team or player expected to win.
Futures Bet – A wager on a season-long outcome or championship.
Grade – The official result of a wager.
Halftime Bet – A wager placed during halftime.
Handicapper – Someone who analyzes games and makes betting predictions.
Handle – Total money wagered on an event.
High Roller – A bettor who wagers large amounts.
Hit Rate – The percentage of winning bets or successful outcomes.
Hold / Vig / Juice – The sportsbook’s commission on wagers.
Hook – A half-point added to a spread or total (ex: 7.5).
In-Game Wagering (Live Betting) – Betting while the game is in progress.
Laying Points – Betting on the favorite to win by more than the spread.
Limit – The maximum amount a sportsbook allows on a wager.
Line Movement – Changes in odds or spreads before a game begins.
Model – A statistical system used to project outcomes.
Moneyline – A bet on who wins the game outright.
Mush – A bettor considered to have bad luck.
Odds Boost – Promotional odds offering increased payouts.
Oddsmaker – The person or system that sets betting lines.
Odds-On Favorite – A strong favorite with negative odds.
Off the Board – A game removed from betting markets.
Over/Under (Total) – A wager on whether the combined score goes over or under a set number.
Parlay – Multiple bets combined into one ticket; all selections must win.
Pick’em – A game with no favorite; spread is zero.
Point Spread (Spread) – The handicap assigned to a favorite and underdog.
Prop Bet – A wager on a specific player or game event.
Puck Line – Hockey’s version of a point spread.
Push – A tie between the result and the betting line; wager is refunded.
Run Line – Baseball’s version of a point spread.
Same-Game Parlay (SGP) – Multiple bets combined from the same game.
Sharp – A professional or highly respected bettor.
Steam – Rapid line movement caused by heavy betting action.
Straight Up (SU) – Picking the outright winner, regardless of the spread.
Teaser – A parlay where spreads are adjusted in your favor for lower payouts.
Total – Another term for Over/Under.
Underdog – The team or player expected to lose.
Unit – A bettor’s standard wager size.
Win Total – A futures bet on a team’s season wins.
Wager – Another term for a bet.
