Sports Betting Glossary

Any bet or wager.

Betting on a team to cover the point spread.

A bet that looks like a winner but loses in the final moments.

The total amount of money you have set aside for betting.

The favorite in a game.

To win by more than the point spread (favorite) or lose by less than the spread (underdog).

Odds format used globally (e.g., 2.50). Multiply stake by odds to get total return.

A bet that pays 1:1 (e.g., bet $100 to win $100).

The team expected to win.

Bets on events happening in the future (e.g., Super Bowl winner).

Total amount of money wagered on a game or event.

Placing a bet on the opposite side of your original bet to guarantee a profit.

A half-point (e.g., 3.5) that prevents a push.

The commission the sportsbook charges for taking a bet.

A bet on who will win the game outright.

A bet on the combined score of both teams.

A single bet linking two or more wagers; to win the bet, all wagers must win.

A game where neither team is favored; the spread is zero.

A bet on something other than the game outcome (e.g., player points).

A tie between the bettor and the sportsbook. Money is refunded.

A professional or highly skilled sports bettor.

The point advantage given to the underdog to level the playing field.

A casual or novice bettor.

When odds move rapidly due to heavy betting volume.

A type of parlay where you can adjust the point spread in your favor.

The team expected to lose.

A standard measure of the size of a bet (usually 1% of bankroll).

When the probability of an outcome is higher than the implied probability of the odds.