Sports Betting Glossary
A
What does "Action" mean in sports betting?
An "action" bet simply means the wager has been officially accepted and is live. If a game is canceled or voided, you might hear "no action."
What does ATS mean in betting?
ATS stands for "Against the Spread." It's a betting format where you don’t just bet on who wins, but whether they cover a point spread. Teams can win ATS even if they lose outright.
What is an alternate line in sports betting?
An alternate line is an adjusted version of the original point spread or total, offering different odds. Great for building correlated parlays.
What is arbitrage betting?
Arbitrage is the strategy of betting on all possible outcomes across different sportsbooks to guarantee a profit. It's rare, but powerful when found.
What is an Asian Handicap?
This betting format, popular in soccer, removes the draw as an outcome. It’s a spread-based system that balances uneven matchups.
B
What is a bad beat in sports betting?
A "bad beat" happens when your bet looks like a win, but a fluke outcome in the final seconds causes a loss.
What is a bankroll in betting?
Your bankroll is the total money you've set aside strictly for betting. Smart bettors only risk a small % of it per bet.
What is a betting exchange and how does it work?
A betting exchange allows users to bet against each other instead of a sportsbook, often with better odds.
What is a betting unit?
A unit is your standard bet size (e.g. $10, $50). Using units helps you track performance and manage risk.
What does it mean to buy points in sports betting?
Buying points lets you move a point spread or total in your favor, at a cost of lower payout odds.
C
What does cash out mean in sports betting?
Cash out lets you settle a bet early, locking in profit or limiting losses before the game ends.
What is closing line value (CLV)?
CLV is the difference between the odds you got and the final odds before game time. Beating the closing line is a long-term edge signal.
What is a consensus pick?
A consensus pick is a side that the majority of bettors are backing. Sometimes it's smart to fade the public.
What does it mean to cover the spread?
If your team beats the spread, they "covered." For example, if you bet -3 and win by 7, you covered the spread.
D
What is a "degen" in sports betting slang?
Short for "degenerate," it refers (often humorously) to someone who bets compulsively or recklessly.
What is a double result bet?
This bet combines the halftime and full-time result. You must correctly predict both to win.
What is "draw no bet" in soccer betting?
If the match ends in a draw, your stake is refunded. A safer alternative to moneyline betting in soccer.
E
What does "edge" mean in sports betting?
An edge is the statistical or strategic advantage you have over the sportsbook.
What is expected value (EV) in betting?
EV is the theoretical profitability of a bet if placed many times. +EV bets lead to long-term profit.
F
What is a futures bet in sports betting?
A wager on an outcome far in the future — like MVP awards or Super Bowl winners.
What does it mean to fade a team or player?
To fade means to bet against. For example, fading a team on a losing streak.
G
What is the grand salami in sports betting?
A bet on the total runs/goals scored across all games in a league on a given day (e.g., MLB or NHL).
Where can I get help for gambling addiction?
We recommend Birches Health, a trusted resource for responsible gaming help.
H
What is a hook in betting?
A "hook" refers to the half-point on a spread or total (e.g., -3.5). It's often what determines a win or loss.
What does hedge mean in sports betting?
Hedging is placing an opposite bet to lock in profit or limit losses.
I
What is in-game (live) betting?
Placing bets while the event is in progress. Odds shift based on live action.
What does implied chance mean?
The math that shows how to read odds from sportsbooks. For example, -110 implies a 52.38% chance to win.
J
What does juice mean in betting?
Juice (aka vig) is the sportsbook’s cut, usually embedded in the odds. At -110, the book is taking ~4.5%.
L
What is line movement in sports betting?
When odds shift due to new information or betting action. Track movement with our Prop Line Movement Tracker on the Player Info Pages.
What does it mean when a game is "off the board"?
A sportsbook has temporarily removed the betting line — often due to injury or uncertainty.
M
What is a moneyline bet?
A moneyline bet is simply picking the winner — no spread involved. Learn more in our odds explainer video.
What does it mean to middle a bet?
Betting both sides of a spread at different numbers hoping the result lands between — hitting both bets.
N
What is NRFI in baseball betting?
NRFI stands for "No Run First Inning." You're betting on a scoreless first inning. Use the NRFI Predictor.
O
What does over/under mean in sports betting?
A bet on whether total points/runs/goals will go over or under a posted number.
What are odds in sports betting?
Odds represent payout and probability. Formats include American (-110), decimal (1.91), and fractional (10/11).
P
What is a player prop bet?
A wager on an individual player’s stat line (e.g., over 5.5 rebounds). Find value using our Player Prop Predictor.
What is a parlay bet and how does it work?
A multi-leg bet where all picks must hit to win. Payouts increase with each added leg — but so does risk.
R
What does ROI mean in sports betting?
Return on Investment. Measures profit relative to the total amount bet.
S
What is a sharp bettor?
A disciplined, analytical bettor who beats the market consistently.
What does "steam move" mean?
A rapid line shift caused by large bets — usually from respected sharps.
T
What is a teaser bet?
A parlay where you adjust spreads/totals in your favor — but get reduced odds.
U
What is an underdog in betting?
The team expected to lose, usually represented with a plus sign (e.g., +150).
What is Underdog Fantasy?
A DFS platform offering prop-style pick'em games. Track value with our Player Prop Predictor.
V
What does vig mean in betting?
Short for vigorish — the sportsbook's commission built into the odds.
