# Betting Dictionary

> Learn sports betting terms and definitions from A to Z, including odds, spreads, props, parlays, juice, moneylines, handicaps and more.

## Across The Board

**Horse racing** term which means you are betting a horse to win, place and show.

## Accumulator

The **more common name** for this term is a [parlay](https://www.primesportsbook.com/betting-guides/parlay-betting/), where each side must win for the ticket to pay off.

## Action

This is simply a term for the amount of money bet on a sporting event. In [baseball betting](https://www.primesportsbook.com/sports/baseball/) it refers to betting on a team with no specified starting pitcher listed.

Therefore, you have “**action**” on the team regardless of which pitcher starts the game.

## Added Games

These are games that **involve lesser-known teams** and some sportsbooks have a special section for these games where the limits are smaller.

## AET Odds

Known as **After Extra Time**, these odds are primarily on [soccer matches](https://www.primesportsbook.com/sports/soccer/) where you have extra time added at the end of regulation time due to stoppages that occurred during the first 90 minutes.

## Against the Spread (ATS)

The **spread** is the number of points you lay on the favorite or take with the underdog.

**Example:** You might have Dallas as a -3.5-point favorite at home versus Washington so the spread is 3.5 points.

## Also Ran

This term normally refers to a **horse** that didn’t finish in the money in a race but it can also refer to an **athlete** that didn’t finish well.

## Alternate Lines

These **odds** are different from the main pointspread for the game. They will be higher or lower than the main betting line and be listed at a different price.

## American Odds

[American Odds](https://www.primesportsbook.com/betting-guides/odds-formats/) show how much you can win or must risk to win $100, using plus (+) for underdogs and minus (–) for favorites.

**Example:** +150 means a $100 bet wins $150 profit; -150 means you must bet $150 to win $100.

## Ante-Post

These are simply **horse racing futures odds** that are available at least one day before the race. They are very common in big races like the Kentucky Derby.

## Arbitrage (ARB)

**Arbitrage wagering** is where a bettor places wagers on all of the possible outcomes of the game. This is done at different sportsbooks at different odds, ensuring a profit for the bettor.

The odds must differ enough so that a profit is guaranteed no matter the result.

## Asian Handicap

It adjusts the scoreline to balance soccer matchups, removing the draw and creating a true two-way market. See our [Asian Handicap Betting guide](https://www.primesportsbook.com/betting-guides/asian-handicap-betting/) for a deeper breakdown.

**Example:** Team A -1.0 must win by 2+ goals; a 1-goal win is a push.

## Bankroll

A **bankroll** is an amount of wagering money available for your sports betting. The bankroll increases or decreases with each winning or losing wager.

## Bankroll Management

Is how you budget your betting money so you can handle wins and losses without going broke. Learn the basics in our [Bankroll Management guide](https://www.primesportsbook.com/betting-guides/bankroll-management/).

**Example:** With a $500 bankroll, betting 1% per play means wagering $5 each bet.

## Bookmaker

A **bookmaker** is a person or entity that sets odds and takes bets.

## Buying Points

A **purchase of points** is when you pay an enhanced fee in exchange for extra points or half-points with the pointspread.

**Example:** If a pointspread is set at +2.5 points a player can buy a half point to move the spread up to +3 or perhaps buy a full point to move the line up to + 3.5 points. The price increases with each pointspread increase.

## Backdoor Cover

This is when a **late score occurs** in a game that doesn’t affect which team wins the game straight up, but it does cover the spread for the game.

**Example:** if Kansas City is leading 35-21, as a 10-point favorite against Denver and the Broncos score a late TD to make the final score 35-28, the Broncos got a backdoor cover.

## Bad Beat

This is when a wager looks like a sure win and turns **into a loss**.

This scenario can occur late in the game when a touchdown, basket, goal or other form of score **changes the outcome of the wager**.

## Beard

This is someone who is known as a **runner** who places wagers for professional bettors so it is unknown who the bet came from.

## Bet

A **wager** involving money at a sportsbook, casino or racebook where someone can bet on either side of an outcome.

## Betting Exchange

This is an **online platform** where bettors wager against each other and not the sportsbook.

Users can **offer and accept bets** from other users so odds are determined by supply and demand.

## Betting Strategy

This is the **plan** that a bettor uses to try and win money at the sportsbook.

**Betting strategies** can be anything from wagering on underdogs only to wagering only when certain percentages are in your favor.

## Book

This is simply a term that refers to the **sportsbook** that posts odds and accepts wagers.

## Bookie

This is an **old sports betting term** that referred to someone who took the bet.

Today it is simply another term for a **bookmaker**.

## Chalk

**Chalk** refers to the favorite in a game—usually a heavy favorite that most bettors expect to win.

**Betting the chalk** often means lower risk, but it comes with smaller payouts.

## Chalk Bettor

A **player** that places the majority of their wagers on favorites.

## Contrarian Betting

**Contrarian wagering** is opposing public opinion, conventional wisdom, media hype, and the masses.

## Cover

When a team wins against the pointspread, they “**cover**.”

## Cashout

This is **an option** that some sportsbooks offer where bettors can get paid for their wager before the game is officially over.

## Circled Game

Games that are circled have **lower betting limits**. You will see circles games where players are questionable to play due to injury or a game could be circled due to weather.

Some sportsbooks will have all of the added games treated as **circled games**.

## Closing Line

**Closing line** is the final odds or spread right before a game starts.

**Example:** You bet Team A -3, but the line closes at -5. You beat the market and gained positive [closing line value](https://www.primesportsbook.com/betting-guides/closing-line-value/) (CLV).

## Co-Favorite

This is where two or more teams or players are listed with the **lowest odds to win**.

**Co-favorites** can sometimes be seen in futures odds like Super Bowl, NBA Championship, etc.

## Commission

This is another term for [vigorish](https://www.primesportsbook.com/betting-guides/juice-vig/) or juice and is simply the amount that the sportsbook gets on a losing wager.

It can also refer to the amount that a betting exchange gets from winning wagers.

## Correct Score (Exact Score)

This is where bettors get the option of **betting on the exact final score** of a match.

It is most common in [soccer](https://www.primesportsbook.com/sports/soccer/) where bettors can wager on a match ending 0-0, 1-0, 2-0, etc.

## Cover/Covering The Spread

This is simply when a team wins by more than the [pointspread](https://www.primesportsbook.com/betting-guides/how-to-bet-spread/) or loses and stays within the pointspread.

## Decimal Odds

[Decimal odds](https://www.primesportsbook.com/betting-guides/odds-formats/) show your total payout per $1 wager, including stake.

**Example:** Odds of 1.50 return $1.50 on a $1 bet, for $0.50 profit.

## Dog

This is simply a short way of saying **underdog** and is the team or player with plus pricing attached to them.

## Double Action

This is also known as an “**If bet**” where a winning bet automatically goes on the second betting option.

## Double Result

This is a single wager where you are **combining** the score of the game at halftime with the final score of the same game.

## Draw

This is simply another way of saying **tie**. It is any contest where the final score ends in a tie.

## Dime

**Dime** is betting slang for a $1,000 wager.

**Example:** Placing a “dime” on a game means risking $1,000 on that bet.

## Edge

This is a term referring to the advantage a **bettor gains over the sportsbook**.

## Even Money

This is simply where a bettor gets the **exact same amount** for the original bet.

**Example:** a $100 wager would win $100 and the original wager would be returned.

## Exotic Bet

These are **betting options** that go beyond the normal side, total and moneyline.

They **can** **include** parlays, teasers, propositions and futures.

## Exposure

This is the amount of money that the bettor or the sportsbook **could lose** on any wager.

## Favorite

The **team or person** expected to win and they will have a minus number attached to them.

**Example:** a favorite on the moneyline could be listed at -150 while the underdog would be +130.

## Field

This is **a bet** where you get all of the teams or players not listed individually.

It is oftentimes used to include a lot of big **longshots** on one wager.

## Future(s) Bet

This **type of bet** is a wager placed on an outcome that will be decided later, usually at the end of a season. Learn more in our [Futures Betting guide](https://www.primesportsbook.com/betting-guides/future-betting/).

**Example:** Betting on a team to win the championship before the season starts.

## Fade

[Fading the public](https://www.primesportsbook.com/betting-guides/fade-the-public/) means betting against the majority of bettors.

**Example:** If 75% of bets are on the Lakers -6, a fade would be taking the opponent +6, expecting the line to be inflated by public action.

## First Half Bet

**First Half Bet** means wagering only on the [first half](https://www.primesportsbook.com/betting-guides/quarter-and-half-bets/) of a game (spread, moneyline, or total).

**Example:** Packers -3.5 first half wins if Green Bay leads at halftime—no matter the final score.

## First/Last/Anytime Scorer

These betting options are offered in many sports but are most popular in [hockey](https://www.primesportsbook.com/sports/hockey/) and **soccer**.

## Fixed Odds

This term simply refers to the odds on the ticket **when the wager was placed**.

Line movement after the wager was made **does not affect** the odds on the original wager.

## Fractional Odds

[Fractional odds](https://www.primesportsbook.com/betting-guides/odds-formats/) show how much profit you win relative to your stake. These odds are **common in the UK**.

**Example:** Odds of 5/1 mean you win $5 for every $1 bet, plus your original stake back.

## Grand Salami

The **Grand Salami** refers to the over/under total for how many goals or runs will be scored across all games in hockey or baseball on a specific day.

## Graded Bet

A wager that has been **marked** as a winner, loser or a push after the event has ended. Winnings are paid after a bet has been graded.

## Hedging

[Hedge betting](https://www.primesportsbook.com/betting-guides/hedge-betting/) means placing a wager on the **opposite side** of an existing bet to reduce risk or lock in profit.

**Example:** You bet $100 on Duke at +1000 to win the title. In the final, you bet the opponent moneyline to guarantee a payout either way.

## Hook

A **hook** is a half-point. A line of 3.5 is often called “three and a hook.”

## Halftime Bet

Quarter and [half bets](https://www.primesportsbook.com/betting-guides/quarter-and-half-bets/) focus on a **specific segment** of a game instead of the final score.

**Example:** Instead of betting Chiefs -7.5 for the game, you bet Chiefs -3.5 in the first half, and only the halftime score determines the result.

## Handicapper

This is a person who researches games **before making a wager**.

The term can also refer to so-called **professional bettors** who sell their picks.

## Handle

This is the total amount of money that a **sportsbook takes in** on a game or event.

## Hold

This is the **difference** between what the sportsbook **takes in** and what it **pays out**.

It is basically their profit.

## If Bet

This is a **parlay wager** that consists of two or more wagers.

It is where the winning money of the first wager goes on a second game.

## In-Game Wagering

[In-game wagering](https://www.primesportsbook.com/betting-guides/live-betting/) (**live betting**) lets you place bets after a game starts, with odds updating in real time.

**Example:** Bet a team’s moneyline after they fall behind, getting better odds if you expect a comeback.

## Juice (Vig)

The “**vig**” is the built-in **fee** sportsbooks charge for taking a bet, which slightly reduces your payout. Learn how it impacts odds in our [Juice (Vig) guide](https://www.primesportsbook.com/betting-guides/juice-vig/).

**Example:** At -110 odds, you must bet $110 to win $100 because of the vig.

## Laying Points

This is where you are **betting on a favorite**.

It is a [pointspread wager](https://www.primesportsbook.com/betting-guides/how-to-bet-spread/), so to win your wager the team has to win by more than the pointspread.

## Layoff

This term is used by bookmakers, sportsbooks and players where they are **reducing risk on a game** by playing both sides of a game or event.

## Limit

The **maximum amount** a sportsbook allows to be bet on a game or event.

## Linemaker

This is just **another term** for the bookmaker or oddsmaker.

## Lines

A **betting line** is another term for pointspreads and or odds.

## Listed Pitchers

This is used for [baseball odds](https://www.primesportsbook.com/sports/baseball/) where you can **list the starting pitcher**.

If that pitcher doesn’t start the game, then the bet is void and refunded.

## Live Betting

[Live betting](https://www.primesportsbook.com/betting-guides/live-betting/) lets you place wagers after a game has started, with odds updating **in real time**.

**Example:** If the Chiefs fall behind early, their live moneyline odds increase, allowing you to bet on a comeback at a better price than pregame.

## Longshot

This term refers to a team or player who is **given very little chance of winning**.

**Longshots** will be listed at big odds because their perceived chance of winning is remote.

## Middling

[Middle betting](https://www.primesportsbook.com/betting-guides/middle-betting/) means **taking both sides** of a wager at different lines to create a point-range where both bets can win.

**Example:** You bet Chiefs -7.5 early, then Raiders +10.5 later. If the Chiefs win by 8–10 points, both bets cash.

## Moneyline

This bet focuses on simply **picking the winner** of a game or match, with odds showing which side is favored and which is the underdog. See how pricing works in our [Moneyline Betting guide](https://www.primesportsbook.com/betting-guides/how-to-bet-moneyline/).

**Example:** At +150, a $100 bet wins $150; at -150, you must risk $150 to win $100.

## Multiple Bets

[Round robin betting](https://www.primesportsbook.com/betting-guides/round-robin-betting/) splits one large parlay into **multiple smaller parlays** to reduce risk.

**Example:** You pick Chiefs, Cowboys, and Eagles. A round robin creates three 2-team parlays plus the 3-team parlay, so you can still win if one team loses.

## Nickel

**Nickel** is betting slang for a $500 wager.

**Example:** If you “bet a nickel” on a team at -110 odds, you’re risking $500 to win about $455 in profit.

## No Action

This is a term where the game or event is cancelled and results in a **no-bet** and money is refunded.

## Novelty Bets

This term refers to **prop** and **special betting options**.

Props on teams and players are some of the **novelty bets** listed at the sportsbook.

## Off the Board

A game or event that sportsbooks **will not** put odds on.

## Odds

These numbers show how likely **an outcome is** and how much you can win if your bet hits. Learn how different formats work in our [Betting Odds guide](https://www.primesportsbook.com/betting-guides/how-to-read-odds/).

**Example:** At +200, a $100 bet wins $200; at -200, you must risk $200 to win $100.

## Odds Boost

An **increased payout** offered by a sportsbook, typically as a promotion.

## Odds Formats

[Odds formats](https://www.primesportsbook.com/betting-guides/odds-formats/) are **different ways** sportsbooks display the same betting info—probability and payout.

**Example:** A team at +150 (American), 2.50 (decimal), or 3/2 (fractional) all mean the same bet, just shown differently.

## Oddsmaker

This is the same thing as a **linemaker** and refers to the person or company that sets daily betting lines.

## Odds-On Favorite

This is a term that refers to a **favorite** that goes off at minus odds.

**Example:** in horse racing a horse might be 3-5 to win or in sports a team might be -250 to win while the other teams were listed at plus money.

## Odds Shopping

This is where a player will **look for the best odds** at different sportsbooks.

## Outright Betting

This is where a player will look **to predict** the overall winner of an event.

## Over Bet

An [Over Bet](https://www.primesportsbook.com/betting-guides/total-betting/) is a wager that the total points or stats in a game will **exceed** the number set by oddsmakers.

**Example:** If the total is 223.5, an over bet wins if the teams score 224 or more points.

## Over/Under

**Over/Under wager** focuses on whether a game’s total points, goals, or runs will finish higher or lower than the number set by oddsmakers. Learn how totals are set in our [Over/Under Betting guide](https://www.primesportsbook.com/betting-guides/total-betting/).

**Example:** If the total is 48.5, betting over wins with 49+ points; under cashes with 48 or fewer.

## Parlay

[Parlay betting](https://www.primesportsbook.com/betting-guides/parlay-betting/) **combines two or more bets** on one ticket for a bigger payout, but every leg must win.

**Example:** Pick three NFL games to win—if all hit, you earn a higher return than betting each game separately.

## Payout

The amount that you get **returned to you** after a winning wager.

You get your original stake **plus** the winnings of the wager.

## Pick’em

A “**pick**” is a game in which there is not a favorite or underdog.

## Prop Bet

[Prop Betting](https://www.primesportsbook.com/betting-guides/prop-betting/) (**proposition betting**) involves wagering on specific player performances, team milestones, or in-game events rather than the final score.

**Example:** Betting on Patrick Mahomes Over 2.5 touchdown passes or LeBron James to record a triple-double, regardless of which team wins.

## Puck Line

In moneyline sports like [hockey](https://www.primesportsbook.com/sports/hockey/), the puck line offers an alternative that works similarly to a pointspread.

Usually, this means laying or taking one-and-a-half goals but at a reduced price from the money line.

## Push

A [push](https://www.primesportsbook.com/betting-guides/what-is-a-push-in-betting/) occurs when a bet lands exactly on the sportsbook’s posted number, resulting in **a tie** and a refunded stake.

**Example:** You bet Packers -7, and they win 17–10. Since the margin matches the spread, the bet is graded no action, and your original wager is returned.

## Post Time

This is the **scheduled start time** of a race.

## Price

Another term for **betting odds** and/or [juice](https://www.primesportsbook.com/betting-guides/juice-vig/) set by a bookmaker.

## Proposition Bet

This is just **another way** to say [prop bet](https://www.primesportsbook.com/betting-guides/prop-betting/).

## Proxy

A **proxy** is a person or a group of people who place bets for other people.

## Public Money

Sharp money refers to wagers placed by professional bettors using data, value, and pricing inefficiencies, while [Public Money](https://www.primesportsbook.com/betting-guides/sharp-money-vs-public-money/) comes from **casual bettors** driven by hype, brands, and narratives.

**Example:** If 70% of bets are on the Chiefs but 60% of the money is on the Broncos, that imbalance suggests sharp money backing Denver despite public support for Kansas City.

## Quarter Bet

A [quarter bet](https://www.primesportsbook.com/betting-guides/quarter-and-half-bets/) is **a wager placed** on the outcome, spread, or total for a single quarter of a game, independent of the final score.

**Example:** You bet Lakers -1.5 in the 2nd quarter—only the scoring in that quarter determines whether the bet wins or loses.

## Real-Time Odds

Also known as [Live-Betting](https://www.primesportsbook.com/betting-guides/live-betting/) or **In-Game Betting**. These are live lines continuously updated during a game.

## Reverse-Line Movement

[Reverse Line Movement](https://www.primesportsbook.com/betting-guides/line-movement-tracking/) (**RLM**) happens when most bets are on one team, but the line moves toward that same team—signaling sharp money.

**Example:** 70% bet Chiefs -3, yet the line drops to -2.5.

## Run Line

In **moneyline** sports like [baseball](https://www.primesportsbook.com/sports/baseball/), the run line offers an alternative that works similar to a pointspread.

Usually, this means **laying** or **taking** one-and-a-half runs but at a reduced price from the money line.

## Runner

An individual who **places bets on behalf** of another person or syndicate is called a **runner**.

## Recreational Bettor

This refers to a player that bets rarely or just on big events like the [Super Bowl](https://www.primesportsbook.com/sports/football/super-bowl/).

It can also refer to a bettor who **makes small wagers** just to be in action.

## Rotation Number

This is the **number** assigned to the games on the board at the sportsbook.

Bettors can refer to the **rotation number** when placing a bet, rather than team names.

## Run Line

This is where **a line is posted** and one team is laying 1.5 runs and the other team is getting 1.5 runs.

## Second Half Bet

[Second-half betting](https://www.primesportsbook.com/betting-guides/quarter-and-half-bets/) lets you wager **only** on the outcome of the **second half**, ignoring the first.

**Example:** Chiefs trail 17–14 at halftime but are -5 for the 2nd half. If they win the half by 6+, the bet wins—even if the full-game spread loses.

## Sharp

[Sharp betting](https://www.primesportsbook.com/betting-guides/sharp-money-vs-public-money/) from **professional gamblers** who use data and price value, not hype.

**Example:** If 70% of bets are on the Chiefs but the line moves toward the Broncos, larger sharp wagers are likely backing Denver.

## Spread Betting

[Spread betting](https://www.primesportsbook.com/betting-guides/how-to-bet-spread/) lets you bet on how much a **result beats or misses a line**, with wins and losses growing as the margin increases.

**Example:** Buy Total Goals at 3 in a soccer match—if 6 goals are scored, you win 3× your stake; the bigger the gap, the bigger the payout (or loss).

## Sportsbook

This is the **place** where [sports betting odds](https://www.primesportsbook.com/sports/) are listed and wagers accepted.

It can be at a **land-based** casino or it can be an **Internet sportsbook**.

## Square

This is another term for a **novice** or **recreational player**.

## Stake

This is the amount of money **a player risks on a bet** or it can refer to the overall amount in a player’s bankroll.

## Steam Move

A **sudden significant line move** that takes place all at once at a particular sportsbook.

Professional gamblers or syndicates usually cause the **steam move**.

## Straight Bet

This is a **single wager** on a game, whether it be the pointspread, total or moneyline.

## Syndicate

This is normally a **group of bettors** that have a large amount of money to wager at sportsbooks.

They will often **move the lines** to create more value one way or the other.

## Taking Points

This is a wager that is **placed on the underdog** on the pointspread, so the bettors would be taking points.

## Teaser

[Teaser bets](https://www.primesportsbook.com/betting-guides/teaser-betting/) let you **bend the lines** in your favor by buying points, but you must win multiple bets on the same ticket.

**Example:** Tease the Cowboys from -8.5 to -2.5 and the Rams from +2.5 to +8.5—both adjusted lines must win, and the easier odds come with a smaller payout.

## Ticket

This is the **receipt** issued by the sportsbook to confirm the wager.

## Tip

This term refers to **betting advice** offered by someone who supposedly has good information on a game or event.

## Tipster

This is the person or group who is **offering betting advice** which can be referred to as **tips**.

## Three-Way Odds

This is a term that refers to a game that has **three sides**, one team, the second team and the tie option.

## Under

[Under betting](https://www.primesportsbook.com/betting-guides/total-betting/) means wagering that the total points, goals, or runs scored will **finish below the number set** by oddsmakers.

**Example:** If an NBA total is 223.5 and the game ends 110–108 (218 points), the under cashes—no need to pick a winner, just fewer points on the board.

## Underdog

This is the team or player that is **considered less likely to win**.

**Underdogs** will always have a plus number attached to them either on the moneyline or pointspread.

## Unit

This is a term that refers to the **amount of money risked by the bettor**.

## Vigorish

Another term for [juice](https://www.primesportsbook.com/betting-guides/juice-vig/) and is the **commission charged** by the sportsbook.

## Wager

This is simply another term for **bet**.

## Win Total

This is the **number set** by the sportsbook on how many games a team will win during the season.

Bettors can bet over or the amount set **by the sportsbook**.

## Wise Guy

This is a term that refers to so-called **handicappers**, [sharps](https://www.primesportsbook.com/vip/) and **professional bettors** who supposedly have good knowledge on the sport they are wagering on.

Source: https://www.primesportsbook.com/betting-dictionary/