Sports Betting Terms

If you hang around a sportsbook or a sports betting forum you will hear many of much of the lingo amd kargon listed below. We have compiled a glossary that will help you define what these words mean. The next time you ask "what does xxxx mean" rest assured that you can find it here .

10 CENT LINE - This refers to the difference (10 cents) in a money line wager between the favorite and the underdog; see Dime Line.

20 CENT LINE - This refers to the difference (20 cents) in a money line wager between the favorite and the underdog.

ACROSS THE BOARD - A racing term that means to bet a Horse/Dog to win (1st), place (2nd) or show (3rd). A winning horse/dog will pay all 3 places, 2nd place will pay for place and show and the 3rd place finisher will only pay the show bets.

ACTION - To have a wager on a game.

AGENT - Person that sends players to books for commission.

BACK DOOR COVER - A late score that enables the underdog to cover the point spread.

BAD BEAT - A situation where it looks like a sure win only to have tough luck and be loser.

BANKROLL - The amount of money you have to wager.

BEEF - A dispute over the outcome of a bet.

BEARD - Someone who places a bet for a wiseguy who isn't welcome in the sportsbook.

BOOKIE - Person who takes bets or "action."

BONUS - Addition to your deposit. Usually 10%-20%.

BUCK - $100 wager.

CHALK - The favorite in a match-up.

CHALK PLAYER - Bettor who almost always plays favorites.

CIRCLED GAME - When the sportsbook limits the amount that can be wagered due to an injury, uncertainty of a player's status, or inclement weather.

CLONE JOINT - A book that copies others lines.

CORRELATED PARLAY - A parlay that involves 2 sides that are affected by the other.

COVER - Beating the spread.

DAILY DOUBLE - Horse/Dog racing wager in which you must pick the winner in consecutive races.

DEAD HEAT - When two horses/dogs finish in a tie.

DEGENERATE - Compulsive gambler.

DIME - $1,000 bet.

DIMELINE - 10c separating the fav from the dog. Much better value than a 20c line!

DOG - The team that is getting points or a better than +100 moneyline price.

DOLLAR - $100.

EARN - Practical hold percentage.

EDGE - Team with an advantage.

EVEN MONEY - No odds or vig.

EXACTA - Horse/Dog racing wager in which you must select 1st and 2nd place in exact order.

EXOTIC WAGER - Usually refers to a proposition wager.

EXPOSURE - The amount of the wager that you will lose if your bet is not a winner.

FAVORITE - The team/horse/dog that is considered the most likely to win.

FIRING - A big bet.

FLEA - An annoying $2 bettor who expects to be rewarded for his action.

FORM - A tabloid used for horse racing.

FORUM - An internet site where gamblers discuss picks/strategy/information on upcoming games.

FUTURES - Wager in which your gambling on the result of a team relative to season wins, standings, playoff finish etc.

GAMBLING - Risking money that will win or lose depending on the outcome of the event wagered on.

GETTING DOWN - Placing a wager or bet.

GRAND SALAMI - The over/under total for the combined score of all the hockey contests on the schedule for that day.

HALFTIME LINE - A line on only the first half, or only the second half scoring of a football or basketball game.

HANDICAPPER - A gambler who analyzes matchups to determine who to wager on.

HANDLE - Total amount of money wagered.

HEDGING - The placing of a bet on the other side in order to cut losses or guarantee profit on a wager.

HOLD - The percentage the house wins.

HOOK - 1/2 point.

HOT TIP - Information the bookmaker is not yet privy to.

JUICE - The amount of commission for placing a wager.

LAYING POINTS - Wagering on the favorite and having to give points.

LAYOFF - When a bookie bets with another bookmaker to reduce their liability.

LIMIT - Maximum amount of money accepted for one wager.

LINE - Odds or spread on a game.

LINEMAKER - The person or group that establishes the line, spread, or odds.

LISTED PITCHER - You do this when you want to bet a baseball game only if the expected starting pitcher begins the game. If the listed pitcher does not start your game is no action. Conversely, if you list a game as action your wagering counts no matter who the starting pitcher is.

LOCK - A perceived guaranteed winner. Note, there is no such thing.

LONGSHOT - Big underdog.

MIDDLER - Gambler that takes both sides of a game hoping for result to land in middle.

MUSH - A bettor who is a sure loser.

NEUTRAL SITE - Game played where neither team has a home field advantage.

NICKEL - $500.

ODDSMAKER - The person or group that establishes the line, spread, or odds.

OTB or OFF THE BOARD - A game the book is not currently accepting action on. OTB is usually due to the uncertainty of the status of a player or inclement weather.

OVERLAY - A situation in which the odds on a game favor the bettors rather than the house.

OVERTIME - When a game is tied at the end of regulation and they play extra time to determine a winner.

PARLAY - A wager in which you get enhanced odds however all games in your "parlay" must win or your ticket is a loser.

PAST POST - To place a wager after an event has started.

PICKEM - Wager in which the pointspread is zero.

PICKING YOUR SPOTS - Only making plays when the value is in your favor.

PLACE - Horse/Dog racing wager in which your selection must come in 1st or 2nd place in order to cash.

POINTSPREAD - The betting line established to put both teams on an even level for wagering purposes.

PROGRESSIVE PARLAYS - Parlays in which you don't have to win all games but still pay out.

PRESS - Betting a larger amount than your usual bet. Doubling up.

PRICE - Odds or spread.

PUPPY - Underdog.

PUSH - Tie on wager, the wager is returned to the bettor.

QUINELLA - Horse/Dog racing wager in which your two selections must come in 1st and 2nd place in either order.

REDUCED VIG - A wager in which your laying less than the standard 10 cent line.

ROUND ROBIN - A single ticket comprised of more than one parlay. Same as "boxing" in horse racing.

RUNDOWN - Line update.

SCALPER - Gambler making a play on low odds favorite then finding higher odds underdog on same game resulting in no risk wagering.

SCRATCH - Withdraw; cancel.

SERVICE - Handicapper(s) that sells opinions, analysis and picks.

SHARP - A bettor who is smart and a winner.

SIDE - Picking a team to win or cover a pointspread (non total wager).

SHORTSTOP - A small bettor.

SHOW - Horse/Dog racing wager in which your selection must come in at least 3rd place in order to receive payout.

SQUARE - Player that is always on favorites and overs. This player is usually on the same side as the general public and is considered as a gambling fool by the bookmaker.

STEAM - A large amount of money being wagered on one side usually from a wiseguy.

STRAIGHT BET - One wager (opposed to a parlay.)

SUCKER BET - Parlays, teasers or exotics (anything bookmakers use to entice squares to bet more.)

TAKING A PRICE - Betting an underdog where the return is more than the amount wagered.

TEASER - Multi game card in which you can move the spread X amount of points (points and odds vary.)

TOKE - A tip or gratuity to the dealer.

TOUT - Handicapper that sells opinions, analysis and picks.

TOTAL - Wager on the total amount of points scored in a game.

TRIFECTA - Horse/Dog racing wager in which your three selections must come in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd respectively.

UNDERLAY - When the odds on a proposition are in favor of the house.

VALUE - A situation where the price on a team is better than their perceived disadvantage.

VIGORISH (Vig or Juice) - Amount of commission kept by the bookmaker.

WHALE - Very large bettor. Bets thousands per game.

WIN - Horse/Dog racing wager in which your selection must win in order to cash on your selection.

WISEGUY - The "steam" creator; sharp bettor; gambling pro.