Sportsbook | Sportsbook Terminology

Accumulator

Known as a parlay bet in North America, an accumulator wager consist of two or more selections and each side must win (or push) to create a winning ticket.

Action

Any live wagering opportunity, or the total amount wagered on a specific event. Bookmakers accept action on all posted betting odds.

Across the board

Three horse racing bets which cover a horse to win, place and show.

Across the Card

This refers to the act of placing wagers simultaneously, at separate Horse/Greyhound meetings.

Added game

These appear on Sportsbooks, after the main lists are posted. They are common in College Football and mainly appear due to public demand. An added game could also be a postponed match, from the previous day.

AET odds

After extra-time (AET) odds are posted primarily on Soccer matches when extra time is added at the end of regulation time, due to in-game stoppages. AET odds, when available, are offered as live betting options

All in play or not

When you hear the phrase ‘All in play or not’ (sometimes abbreviated to ‘All in’), it refers to markets where the prices are set, regardless of whether or not the selection takes part in the race. The odds include the possibility of the selection not taking part, so if your pick is a non-runner, you lose the bet.

All out

Common phrase, used to describe a greyhound, horse, or a player/team pushing at the maximum, for the result.

All Weather

All weather racing takes place at tracks which have an artificial surface, suitable for racing all year round, no matter the weather. Venues such as Lingfield and Wolverhampton are ‘all weather’.

Also-Ran (UK: Unplaced)

A contestant who finishes outside the designated top places.

Alternate lines

Odds or prices which are lower, or higher than the main line. Commonly encountered in point spread and totals betting on Soccer and Basketball.

American odds

American odds are in a “big three” group which also includes fractional and decimal odds. American moneylines posted at (-110) are the same as 1.91 decimal odds and 10/11 in fractional pricing. All three odds formats return a £100 profit on a winning £110 wager

Ante-post

These are odds on future horse and greyhound races, which are posted at least one day prior to a race. Ante-post odds are common on Triple Crown races like the Kentucky Derby or Classics in the UK like The Derby. You might get a better price, but you also run the risk of your selection losing form or getting injured and not taking part. You go ‘All in 'on an Ante Post market, so you could lose the bet if your selection does not take part in the event.

Arbitrage (Arb)

This is a shortened term for an ‘arbitrator’, who ensures a profit by wagering on different outcomes with different Sportsbooks, to guarantee a profit in combined odds. This is forbidden at UK bookmakers.

Asian Handicap Betting

'Asian Handicap Betting' is a form of sports betting which is very popular in Football markets. The Handicap element means that one team receives a ‘virtual advantage’, effectively leading the game by a differing amount(s), before the event kicks-off. Therefore, this often results in more enticing odds, as opposed to standard home-draw-away prices.

At the Post

The race is about to begin and all the horses are ‘At the Post’, meaning they’re at the starting line.

Back to Lay Betting

‘Back-to-Lay’ is a betting technique where a bettor will place a bet on a selection at high odds, then lay that same selection, at a lower price on an Exchange, guaranteeing a profit regardless of whether the selection actually wins or not.

Balance

The amount of money in a player’s account which is available for the player to use to make bets, or play games.

Bankroll

This is money which is budgeted or deposited into an online account, for betting purposes. A player’s bankroll increases with each winning bet and decreases with every losing bet

Bankroll Management

Similar to managing a personal Bank account, bettors should practice proper bankroll management. Setting wagering limits, searching for the best odds, plus only wagering what you can afford to lose, are keys to properly managing a sports betting budge

Beginner’s Luck

Players who are new to gambling may have a winning streak. This streak is called ‘Beginner’s luck’.

Bet

Any wager involving money wagered at a Betting Shop, Sportsbook, Casino or Poker room

Bet Max

(Maximum Bet/Max Bet) The bet max is the maximum bet a Bookmaker is willing to allow.

Betting strategy

Various plans used to get an advantage over Bookmakers. The best betting strategies should include proper bankroll management and involve performing extensive research, prior to placing wagers.

Bet Types

There are many different types of horse or Greyhound racing bets that you can choose from. The number of options make wagering on the horses more enjoyable to Horse Racing fans, although the range in bet types and even just the name of some bets can seem confusing to a novice. The objective of each bet type remains the same; money is placed on a horse or horses to finish in a specified position and if the outcome is what you predicted then you win. The amount of winnings depends how much was staked and the odds the bet was taken at:

Single bet

The most common and most simple bet type. A ‘Single ’consists of backing one selection, whether that’s for the next race or backing a horse Ante-Post, for an upcoming festival.

There might be a horse which you think will perform well, but you’re not confident it will finish first. In this situation you can back the horse to be placed:

Place bet

This is another simple betting option, and in this situation, you’re backing a selection to achieve a position within the places. This is often the first 3, though some races have differing place terms. By choosing a place bet there is a greater chance that you will be successful, however the odds for a horse to place are lower and therefore the returns will be less than if you had backed the horse to win. Punters could also choose a bet type which gives them the opportunity of a large pay out from a win bet and the security of a place bet

Each-way bet

An ‘Each-way ’bet is made up of two components, a win bet and a place bet, which means that if your selection wins the race, you are paid out on both, but if your horse only finish in the places, you will still receive a return at the place terms.

As you become better at choosing winning horses then you may want to try a more complex bet:

Straight Forecast

This is slightly more challenging, a ‘Straight Forecast’ requires you to successfully pick out the horses which will finish first and second in a race, in that exact order.

Reversed Forecast

This is similar to a straight forecast. A ‘Reversed Forecast’ consists of two selections which you believe will finish in first and second, but it does not matter in which order they place, just as long as they finish in the first two places. This bet has two elements, and as such, a £1 Reverse Forecast, would be a total stake of £2.

If you like two different horses but can’t decide between them, the Reversed Forecast gives you more security and is more likely to result in a winning bet. To increase your chances of success even more you can choose more than one selection for first and second place.

Combination Forecast

The aim of the ‘Combination Forecast’ bet is to have two selections occupying first and second in a race, but with this bet you have more than two selections, and as such the stake is increased. Here you may have 3 or more selections and will need two of them to fill the first two places, in any given order. Forecast bets are more challenging but the potential returns are also greater. For the chance to see even more value from your bet, you can also select which horses will finish in the first three places in the race.

Tricast

A ‘Tricast’ bet is a difficult, but potentially lucrative wage. You need to correctly predict the first, second and third in a specified race, with the three selections finishing exactly in the order that you state when placing the bet

Combination Tricast

In a ‘Combination Tricast’ you are predicting the 1-2-3 in a selected race. The three selections you have chosen can finish in any order, just as long as they all occupy a position within the first three places in the race.

As well as betting on more than one runner in a race you can also select horses from different events. For example you could back one horse in a race at Doncaster and one in at a race at Ascot:

Multiple bet

A ‘Multiple’ bet is a bet that consists of more than one selection, normally with the horses all required to win. You can also back an each-way multiple, or a place multiple.

Double bet

The objective of a ‘Double’ bet is to successfully predict two winning selections, from two different events, but on the same bet and stake. You need both selections to win to achieve a return.

Treble bet

A ‘Treble’ bet involves three selections on one bet, chosen from three different events. All three selections need to win, to profit from the bet.

Accumulator

An ‘Accumulator’ bet involves more than one selection, often with four or more, which needs all selections to win, to get a return. The stake and return from the first selection is placed on to the next selection and so on, until the final bet is settled. If one of the selections lose, the accumulator will be settled as losing bet.

Some bettors prefer to have a combination of different bet types: Trixie: Three selections create three double bets and one treble bet.

Patent: Three selections create three single bets, three double bets and one treble bet.
Yankee: Four selections create one four-leg accumulator, six double bets and four treble bets.
Lucky 15: Four sides create four single bets, one four-leg accumulator, six double bets and four treble bets.
Super Yankee or Canadian: Five Selections create one five-leg accumulator, five four-leg accumulators, ten double bets and ten treble bets.
Lucky 31: Five Selections create five single bets, one five-leg accumulator, five four-leg accumulators, ten double bets and ten treble bets. Heinz: Six selections create one six-leg accumulator, six five leg accumulators, fifteen four-leg accumulators, fifteen double bets and twenty trebles.
Lucky 63: Six selections create six single bets, one six-leg accumulator, six five leg accumulators, fifteen four-leg accumulators, fifteen double bets and twenty trebles.

Betting W/O

This means ‘betting without’. You are able to place a bet on a horse to win a race, without the favourite included in the results. Therefore, if the horse you back comes second behind the favourite, you have won your bet

BIR or BIP

Betting In Running (BIR) or Betting In Play (BIP), refers to Live Betting where you can bet during the course of a race, match or event.

Bookmaker (also Book, Bookie)

A Bookmaker or Sportsbook who determines daily betting odds and accepts bets.

Bonus

A ‘Welcome Bonus’ is an incentive offered to new player to join a Sportsbook. Other bonuses offered to regular players encourage them to continue playing. These bonuses are usually in the form of cash

BTTS

Both teams to score. A bet on both teams in a match to score at least one goal each.

Buy points

You can buy points, using alternate point spreads and game totals, to gain a more favourable line. If a spread is set at +2.5 points, a player can buy one point to move the line up to + 3.5 points. Juice attached to the odds increases with each point purchased

Cash out

This is a quick and easy-to-use tool. ‘Cash Out’ is a function which is available with most Sportsbooks and allows you to take a profit, before an event has completed. In addition, ‘Cash Out’ allows you to take a loss in running, for example if you think your selection will no longer win the race, you can take a loss on your selection, but at least get part of your stake back.

Chalk

A US term for ‘favourite’.

Chalk bettor

A player who bets on favourites, for the majority of their wagers

Circled game

Matches that have set betting maximums, which are capped at low amounts. Games are usually circled when bookmakers face unknowns such as player injuries, weather or rumours which surface prior to a match. Opening odds and prop options are often circled as well.

Closing line

These are the final betting odds, posted prior to the beginning of a competition.

Co-favourite

Two or more sides with identical odds to win.

Commission

Another term for ‘vigorish’ and ‘juice’, commission is the bookmakers take on any bet. It is also the amount a betting exchange takes from winning wagers

Correct score

Bookmakers often offer a list of possible scoring outcomes on a match. For instance, this can be a final score of as low as 0-0 or as high as 6-0. The most likely result will be the favourite

Correlated Parlay (UK: Related Contingencies)

A multiple bet where selections have some degree of relationship to each other.

Dead Heat

This is where an event is tied. Two (or more) selections finish level

Decimal odds

Common throughout Europe, decimal odds are in a “big three” group which also includes fractional and American odds. A 1.91 decimal line equals -110 in American odds and 10/11 in fractional pricing. All three formats return a £100 profit on a winning £110 wager

Deposit

A deposit is the sum of money that players need in their account to be able to wager.

Dog

Short for underdog, a dog is perceived as the least likely side to win and is tagged with plus pricing. Atlanta would be a dog if the Braves moneyline is set at +125 and the Houston Astros are posted with -120 odds in baseball.

Double action

Also known as an “If bet”. A double action bet automatically takes the stakes and/or winnings from a successful wager and places that amount on a second betting option.

Double-header

This is two games which are played back-to-back on the same day. Most common in baseball, a double-header will often take place if a game from the previous day was rained-off.

Double result

This is a single betting option which combines the score of a game at halftime and the score at the end of the same game.

Draw

Any contest where the final score ends in a tied result. In most instances, a draw is graded as a PUSH and original bet amounts are returned. An exception are three-way lines which offer tie/draw as one of three betting options

Drift

These are odds which grow longer after the opening line is posted. A moneyline that moves from +220 to +225 to +230 is said to be ‘drifting’.

Edge

This is gaining an advantage through extensive research, or having insights which are not publicly known.

Even money (UK: Evens)

Odds which return the exact amount of the original stake wagered. For instance, a £100 bet on Fractional (1/1) American (+100) or Decimal (2.0) odds would return a £100 profit.

Exacta (UK: Straight Forecast)

A betting term commonly used in American Horse racing, to predict the exact order of first and second-place finishers

Exacta Box (UK: Reverse Forecast)

A betting term commonly used in American Horse racing, to predict the first and second-place finishers regardless of order.

Exotic Wager (UK: Novelty Bet)

A bet on a non-sporting event such as the Oscars or the United Kingdom Election.

Exposure

The amount of money a bettor, or a Bookmaker stands to lose on any given wager.

Favourite

A side whose odds are normally priced with a negative (-) value. For instance, Manchester City (8/11) would be the favourite over Arsenal (5/2) in an English Premier League gam

FGS

Abbreviation for First Goal Scorer in a match.

Field

All the other runners / selections in a market, excluding the named favourite (s).

First half bet

A wager on the result of the first half in sports like Basketball or Soccer. The most popular first-half betting odds are spread, moneyline and game total options. A variety of team and player props are also offered as first half bets.

First/Last/Anytime Scorer

Offered on many sports, these are three pre-game prop betting options

First Past the Post

The selection which is first to cross the finish line in a race.

Fixed odds

When a wager is placed, and a Bookmaker accepts it, the line becomes fixed odds. If a bet is placed on Las Vegas at +3.5 odds and the line moves down to +3.0 prior to the game, players who purchased the Raiders at +3.5 retain the previously accepted fixed odds

Form

The performance history of an athlete, player, horse, greyhound or a team. The level at which the selection usually performs, or has recently performed. Form is used by bookmakers to set prices and by Bettors to assess odds and make their selections.

Fractional odds

Common in the UK, fractional odds are in a “big three” group which also includes Decimal and American odds. A fractional line of 10/11 equals -110 in American odds and 1.91 decimal pricing. They each return a £90.91 profit on a winning £100 bet.

French Odds (UK: Decimal Odds)

A manner of displaying odds by way of a decimal format. For example, 5/1 = 6.00

Full Time

When you back a team to win a match, it is a full-time result bet. Bets in football are settled at the end of 90 minutes, plus stoppage time. As standard, they do not include results achieved in extra time or on penalties (unless otherwise stated).

Futures bet (UK: Ante-Post Betting)

A wager placed on an event which will take place in the near or distant future. Betting on the winner of the Super Bowl, NBA Finals and World Series are all popular futures options. Futures are also offered in Soccer, major Horse races, as well as Golf and Tennis tournaments.

Game total bet

Over/Under betting on how many goals/points/runs will be scored in a game. If a baseball game total is set at 7.5 runs, bettors need to decide if the combined total runs in that contest will be over or under eight runsv

Going

This is the state of the ground / surface as described in Horse racing. The going is good or hard, or soft and so on. Different horses suit different conditions, so this is crucial to prices

Half ball Handicap

Soccer betting odds where 0.5 goals, plus or minus, is the point spread.

Half Time Bet (UK: Second Half Bet)

A wager placed only on the second-half result of a particular game.

Handicap

Betting odds set by a Bookmaker which are designed to level the playing field. New Orleans may have a -7.5 point handicap, before or during the game, when they play a perceived weaker Atlanta squad. If the Saints win by eight or more points - they cover the handicap and produce winning wagers.

Handicap Race (Horse Racing)

Common in Horse racing, handicap races see horses carry different weights in order to encourage closer competition. Better horses carry heavier weights.

Handle (UK: Total Stake)

The total amount of money wagered on a particular Sportsbook.

Hedge

Most common with Parlay betting and as a risk management tool. Hedging a bet consists of betting on the opposite side of an original wager, to set up a guaranteed return. A hedge bet may also be placed to reduce the initial risk on a potential losing wager.

Holding your own

A bettor who is on a streak where they're not winning or losing, just breaking even on a series of bets.

Home field advantage

The perceived benefit a team gains when playing in familiar settings, at their home stadium, in front of the home fans.

Hook

A half point added to point spreads and game total odds. A hook guarantees a wager will not be graded as a push. One side will win and one side will lose.

If bet

A member of the parlay family, an ‘If Bet’ consists of two or more wagers. On a two-team ‘If bet’, a player applies the stake and/or profit of a winning wager, as a bet on a second game, if the initial wager is successful

In-Play Betting (UK: Live Betting)

Wagers placed after an event after it has started. Also known as LIVE betting, Sportsbooks post multiple in-play betting options throughout most major sporting events.

In the Money (UK: Placed)

Refers to competitors in a race who have finished at a designated position.

JF (Joint-Favourite)

Two or more sides or competitors posted with the same betting odds, on the same event.

Juice

Also known as vigorish, juice is set by Bookmakers and is attached to spread and total betting options. If Minnesota -3.5 (-110) versus Green Bay +3.5 (-110) has £110K wagered on both sides, bookmakers earn £10K profit from the juice on the losing bets.

Line (UK: Prices or Odds)

This refers to the odds, or the point spread on a sporting event.

Line

Betting odds posted by a Bookmaker.

Linemaker

Same as a Bookmaker, a person or group who set daily betting lines and prices.

Listed pitchers

Appear with daily Baseball betting odds. If a listed Pitcher doesn’t start the game, bets are usually voided and the original stakes are returned.

Live betting

Also known as in-play wagering, live betting is offered once a sporting event begins. Spreads, moneylines and totals are adjusted and re-posted as a match plays out. Prop options, like next goalscorer and correct final score, may also be available.

Longshot

A selection with long odds to win. An underdog or an outsider in a race or competition can be described as a longshot.

Maiden

This describes a horse which is yet to taste victory in a race.

Middle

Cashing tickets on both sides of a betting option. Bettors have an opportunity to middle, when a point spread moves up or down, prior to a match.

Moneyline

This is a straight up bet, without any point spread, where bettors need to predict the outright winner. Favorites are posted with a negative odds, while underdogs are listed with a positive price.

Multiple bets

Same as parlay, multiple bets are a single wager that consists of at least two sides on a single ticket. All sides must win (or push) to cash winning multiple bets. For further details, see ‘Bet types’.

Nap

A ‘nap’ is a Pundit’s suggested best bet on a daily betting card

No action

Betting options cancelled by a bookmaker are graded as ‘no action’. The bet is resulted as a ‘push’ and the stake is returned

Non-Runner

This is a selection which does not participate in a race or competition for which it was entered. If your selection is ‘non-runner no bet ’(NRNB) your stake is returned to you.

Novelty bets

These are prop and special betting options that are wagers beyond standard moneyline, point spread and game total odds. Team and player propositions are the most common novelty bets. In the UK, these are bets on unusual events, such as the outcome of a TV competition, or the name of a Royal baby, etc. Betting options cancelled by a bookmaker are graded as ‘no action’. The bet is resulted as a ‘push’ and the stake is returned

Odds

The price available on a selection for a bet from a Bookmaker. When you see the term odds against it means that the price is higher than evens (2/1, 5/2 etc), so a successful bet would win you more than the stake you placed. Odds on are when the odds are shorter than evens (10/11, 1/2, etc), so your bet has a good chance of being successful, but you would make a profit smaller than your stake

Odds formats

American (+100), Decimal (2.00) and Fractional (1/1) are the three main odds formats. All three would win you £100 on a £100 bets (£200 total returns).

Oddsmaker

Same as a linemaker. A person, or group who sets daily betting lines and prices.

Odds on favourite

A selection which is viewed as far superior to the other and is priced with odds which offer very little value

Odds shopping

Reviewing the lines at a variety of Sportsbooks, to find the best priced odds

On The Nose

Betting on a horse to ‘win only’, as opposed to backing it each-way. On the nose all your stake goes on the win.

Outright betting

Predicting the overall winner of a tournament, or play-off competition

Over bet

The opposite of an ‘Under’ bet on game total options.

Over/Under

This is a number posted on how many runs/goals/points will be scored in a match. Bettors need to determine if the combined scores of both teams will go over, or remain under the number. Also known as game total odds.

Parlay (UK: Accumulators, Accas)

Also known as an 'accumulator’ or a 'multiple’. A bet which puts together two or more selections from different events, on one single bet slip. All sides must win (or push) to cash multiple winning bets.

Parlay banker

Forming the base of a Parlay wager, a Banker is a selection the Bettor considers to be certain win, to which other selections are added.

Payout

The amount collected on a winning wager. When a wager is placed, the possible payout on a betting receipt usually includes the original stake.

Pick ’em

A betting option where the odds are exactly the same on both sides. Manchester City (-110) vs Liverpool FC (-110) is a pick ’em wager.

Picks

Tips given by experts (Tipsters) on selections they believe have a good chance of winning.

Pick Six (UK: Tote Jackpot)

This is a weekly betting challenge, to predict the winners of 6 straight races.

Places

When a selection ‘places’, it finishes within the positions that are stated to pay out in the place terms of the race

Point spread

Odds posted on a match which are designed to level the playing field. Favourites are listed with a negative (-6.5) point spread while the underdog is given a ‘head start” with positive (+6.5) odds.

Post time

Scheduled start time of a race. Horses are 'at the post’, once all of them are loaded into the starting gate.

Press (UK: Upping the Ante)

The act of betting a larger stake than you normally would.

Price

The odds a bookmaker offers on a selection.

Proposition bet

Often shortened to prop bet, proposition bets are exotic or special wagers which are offered on most sporting events. NFL Super Bowl prop betting options number in the hundreds.

Puck line

Point spread pricing in hockey. Prior to a match, the favourite is normally posted at -1.5 goals while the underdog receives +1.5 goals

Pundit

A proven betting expert(Tipster) who publicise their predictions for the outcome of a race or match. If they are popular, they can influence the starting price of their selections.

Punter

A customer or bettor. The person placing the bet with the Bookmaker.

Push (UK: Void Bet)

A result that is determined when there is no winner for betting purposes and the stake is returned.

Return

A return means a profit + returned stake in a successful wager.

Run Line

This is Point spread pricing in Baseball. Prior to a game, the favourite is normally posted at -1.5 runs and the underdog odds are listed at +1.5 runs. When live betting, depending on the score of the match, runs lines increase and/or decrease as a game progresses

Second half bet

Any wager which focuses on the outcome of the second half of any competition. Wagers can be placed before the second half begins, or make live bets once the match resumes.

Selection

The player, team, greyhound, horse, etc, which the punter has placed their bet on.

SP (Staring Price)

The term ‘SP’ is short for Industry Start Price, which is the odds which a horse is priced up at the exact moment that the race begins. The SP is an average of prices from across the betting industry.

Sportsbook

A free-standing shop, or a dedicated space at land-based Casinos. Sportsbooks have become popular meeting spots for bettors and sports fans alike. Sportsbooks accept bets on US events, plus action from around the globe, and provide giant screens for bettors to watch the action play out. Sportsbooks are also online betting websites.

Spread Betting

Taking or laying points when betting on a competition. Selecting Los Angeles at -7 point odds against New York (+7) is a spread bet. The Rams need to defeat the Giants by at least eight points to cash a winning ticket. Bettors lay the spread with favourites and take the spread with underdogs.

Stake

The amount being placed on a bet. Stake units refer to the value of each part of the stake in a multiple bet.

Steamer

Odds which change quickly, usually due to a large amount of betting action by sharp bettors or syndicates.

Straight Bet (UK: Single)

A wager placed on only one single outcome.

Tapping out

Means a player is done playing and betting. It can also be when a player has lost their bankroll in its entirety.

Three-way odds

Wagering options which have three sides and include ties as a betting option.

Ticket

A receipt issued by a Bookmaker, to confirm that a wager has been accepted.

Tip

Betting advice offered by tipsters (Pundits) and handicappers, which suggest the most likely outcome of an event. Tips should never be bet on blindly, but can be helpful when used with a proper pre-game research plan

Tipster (Pundit)

A person who offers betting advice. Some tipsters offer free Sports wagering advice, while others charge a fee for their tips.

Two-way odds

Wagering options that have two sides and do not include ties as a betting option.

Under

Opposite of Over on game total betting. If the total on a Lakers vs. Clippers match is set at 238, players who place under bets need the combined final score to be 237 points or less.

Underdog

Perceived to be the inferior selection, underdogs are posted with a positive number.

Vigorish

Another term for juice. Standard vigorish pricing is (-110) and bettors need to wager £110 to earn a £100 return

Wager

Placing a bet on any event offered at a Sportsbook or a Casino.

Win Place Show (UK: Each Way Betting)

A bet which allows a bet on a runner for a first-place and bet on a place within the designated places, in a race or event.

Winnings

The amount earned from a successful bet, on top of the returned stake.

Wise Guy

Handicappers, sharps and professional bettors, with vast knowledge of the sports they bet on.