Sports Betting Dictionary

Intro to Online Betting Sites

ATS (Against The Spread): A bet placed on a sports event where one team is favored to win by a specific number of points. The opposing team is given that many points to even the odds.

Decimal Odds: The European and Canadian favored way to display the odds on a sporting bet. Decimal odds show the gross total that a bettor stands to get back. If the decimal odds are 7.5, you would receive $7.50 for every $1 you wager. The total amount paid includes your original wager (i.e. you get exact $7.50 per $1 bet, not $7.50 plus your $1 back.)

EU Odds Format: See "Decimal Odds".

Exotics: a bet on something other than score totals or winning teams. For example, betting that one player will score more soccer goals than anyone else in the match-up would be an Exotic bet. (Same as Proposition.)

Fractional Odds: The UK favored way to display the odds on a sporting bet. Fractional odds show the net total that a bettor stands to win. For example, 6/1 (or 6 to 1) odds would pay back $6 for every $1 bet. If you bet $10, you would win $60, plus your $10 bet returned, for a total of $70.

Futures: A bet placed on something that is not yet taking place. For example, a bet on who will make it to, or win, the Super Bowl before the playoffs start.

Halftime Bet: A bet that the score will be Over or Under a specified amount at halftime; or a bet that a certain team will be winning at halftime. This bet can also be placed on the score in the second half, in which case all points scored in the first half do not count.

Handicapper: Someone who studies sports and predicts the outcome of sporting events.

House Edge: See "Juice".

Juice: The commission taken by the online sportsbook to create a house edge.

Lay a Price: To bet the favorite, accepting the loss of points on the spread.

Money Line: The amount a bettor must bet in order to win $100 when betting on the favored team; or the amount a bettor will win by betting $100 on the underdog.

Over/Under: A bet on the total score (both teams combined), that it will be Over or Under a specified amount.

Parlay: A bet one two or more match-ups where all teams must win in order for the bet to be one. For example, you bet on two NFL games. Both teams must win.

Proposition: A bet on something other than score totals or winning teams. For example, betting that one player will score more soccer goals than anyone else in the match-up would be a Proposition bet. (Same as Exotics.)

Punter: A sports bettor.

Push: A tie.

Side: A sports bet on one team to beat another outright, with no point spread. (Same as a Straight Bet.)

Scratch: To cancel or withdrawal a bet.

Sportsbook: An organization that sets odds and takes wagers on sporting events.

Straight Bet: A sports bet on one team to beat another outright, with no point spread. (Same as a Side bet.)

Take a Price: To bet the underdog, taking extra points on the spread.

Teaser: A Parlay bet in which the odds are adjusted in favor of the bettor. Because the juice (house edge) is in against the bettor, online sportsbooks will often present Teasers to encourage more bettors to take the bet.

Underdog: A team that is expected to lose.

UK Odds Format: See "Fractional Odds".

US Odds Format: See "Money Line".