Sports Betting Guide

Sports betting Guide features key definitions to all the sports betting terms in the gambling industry.

10 cent lines - The moneyline difference that the bettor must lay between the favorite and the underdog. An example is New York -105 and Chicago -105.

20 cent lines - The moneyline difference that the bettor lays between the favorite and underdog. An example is New York -120 versus Chicago +100.

Action - Any wager you place on a sporting event is considered action.

Back Door Cover - A team that comes back late to cover the spread.

Bad Beat - A game in which things are looking good and fall apart at the end to cost you a win.

Bankroll - The amount of money have set aside for gambling.

Bonus - A bonus for doing your betting with a sportsbook. Please check our sportsbook bonus page for the specials running now.

Bookmaker - An individual who takes bets on a given game. The team giving points to the opponent.

Chalk - The favorite in the game you are betting.

Chalk Player - A bettor always betting on the favorite.

Cover - When the team wins by more than the point spread set out by the bookmakers.

Dog - The underdog in the game you are betting. The team getting points.

Even Money - A bet where you don't have to lay the standard $110 to win $100. You now get to lay $100 to win $100.

Favorite - The team that the bookmakers feel are the better all around team. You will have to give up points to bet on this team.

Future Bet - When you place a wager to be squared up at the end of the season. An example is betting on the Chicago Cubs to win the world series.

Grand Salami - The term used for the total number of goals scored in any given night of NHL hockey.

Half Time Line - Line put out just for halftime. After the first half is over the bookmaker will place a line that will count just for the second half of the game.

Handicapper - A person that offers sports advice for bettors to use. Check out our sports handicappers page for trusted and well respected handicappers.

Hedge - When you place money on the other side of the original bet you made assuring you a profit or to reduce risk you have on the original side.

Hook - A 1/2 point. -3 1/2 is called 3 and a hook.

Juice - The amount the bettor must lay to place a bet. The standard is $110 to win $100 but you can get $105 to win $100 at Pinnacle Sportsbook.

Line - The number the bookmaker puts on the game to even out the action of bets.

Listed Pitchers - When you request the both of the starting pitches must start or your baseball has no action.

Lock - A guaranteed winner.

Middle - To win both sides of the game. If you had Chicago +3.5 and San Francisco -2.5 and San Francisco won 17-14 you would win both bets.

Neutral Site - Venue where neither team has the home field advantage.

Off the board - A game in which the bookmakers are not taking anymore bets for one reason or another.

Over/Under - Bet on the total on how many points will be scored in the particular game or contest.

Parlay - When you place a bet on 2 or more teams in which all teams associated with the parlay must win for your bet to win.

Pick'em - A game in which neither team is favored, where you just pick the side to win with our laying or getting any points.

Press - To place a wager larger than normal. Most players press when they are on a hot streak.

Pup - Another word for the underdog.

Push - A tie between the player and sportsbook. If you have Oakland -3 and Oakland won by exactly 3 points that game would be a push.

Runner - A person who places bets for someone else.

Sharp Player - A players that is consistently beating the spread.

Square - Player who always bets on favorites and is a lifetime loser. Player who doesn't know who to bet on.

Spread - Same as the line, the number the bookmaker puts on the game to even out the action of bets.

Teaser - A bet with 2 or more teams in which the bettor is given more points than the spread. Just like a parlay all teams must win for you to collect.

Underdog - The team that is considered not as good as the favorite. This is team that will be getting points.

Vigorish - The amount of money the book makes of each wager placed by bettors. Often called juice or vig.

Wiseguy - A sharp player that is consistently beating the spread.