|
A
|
|
ACTION
|
A bet
|
|
ATS
|
Against the spread
|
|
|
|
B
|
|
B.R.
|
Bankroll
|
|
BAD BEAT
|
Tough loss
|
|
BEARD
|
Messenger bettor
|
|
BEEF
|
Dispute
|
|
BUCK
|
$100
|
|
|
|
C
|
|
CHALK
|
Favorite
|
|
CHALK EATER
|
Favorite bettor
|
|
CHURN
|
The effect of betting and rebetting money
|
|
CIRCLE GAME
|
Game where action is limited due to uncertainties about weather, injuries, etc.
|
|
COVER
|
Win by more than the pointspread
|
|
|
|
D
|
|
DEGENERATE
|
Compulsive gambler
|
|
DIME
|
$1,000
|
|
DOLLAR
|
$100
|
|
|
|
E
|
|
EARN
|
Practical hold percentage
|
|
EDGE
|
Advantage
|
|
EXOTIC BET
|
Action other than a straight bet or parlay.
|
|
EXPOSURE
|
The amount of money the house actually stands to lose on a game or a race.
|
|
EXTENSION
|
The amount of money the house theoretically will risk losing on a game or a race.
|
|
|
|
F
|
|
FIGURE
|
Amount owed by or to a bookmaker.
|
|
FIRING
|
Betting a lot. A player who is "firing" is wagering large sums.
|
|
FLEA
|
An annoying human parasite who wants something for nothing; a $2 bettor who expects to be comped for his action.
|
|
FORM
|
What performance is to be expected according to how a team looks on paper.
|
|
|
|
G
|
|
GET DOWN
|
Make a bet
|
|
GROSS WIN
|
Win before expenses
|
|
|
|
H
|
|
HANDICAPPER
|
One who studies sports and predicts outcomes.
|
|
HANDLE
|
Total amount of bets taken.
|
|
HEDGE
|
Bet the opposite of your original wager in order to reduce the amount of action you have on a game.
|
|
HOLD
|
The percentage the house wins.
|
|
HOOK
|
Half point in pointspreads, as in "lost by the hook."
|
|
HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE
|
Edge the home team is expected to have as a result of familiarity with the playing area, favorable demographics and effect of travel on the visiting team.
|
|
HOOPS
|
Basketball
|
|
HOT TIP
|
Information the bookmaker is not yet privy to.
|
|
|
|
J
|
|
JUICE
|
Bookmaker's commission, most often refers to the 11 to 10 football bettors lay on straight wagers; vigorish.
|
|
|
|
L
|
|
LAY A PRICE
|
Bet a favorite, lay the points.
|
|
LAYOFF BET
|
A wager made by one bookmaker with another to help balance his action and reduce his risk on one side or one horse.
|
|
LIMIT
|
Maximum bet accepted by the house before the price will be changed.
|
|
LINE
|
The betting proposition on a game and/or payoff odds on the bet.
|
|
LONGSHOT
|
Large underdog
|
|
|
|
M
|
|
MIDDLE
|
To win both sides of a game. For example, if you bet the underdog +3 1/2 and the favorite - 2 1/2 and the favorite wins by 3, you've MIDDLED the book. The book has BEEN MIDDLED.
|
|
|
|
N
|
|
NEUTRAL SITE
|
Arena, court or field where neither side has a home field advantage.
|
|
NICKEL
|
$500
|
|
|
|
O
|
|
OFF THE BOARD
|
Game where no bets are being accepted.
|
|
OUT
|
Bookmaker, usually refers to an illegal bookmaker.
|
|
OVERLAY
|
When the odds on a proposition are in favor of the bettor rather than the house.
|
|
|
|
P
|
|
PARLAY
|
A bet with two or more teams where all the teams must win for the bettor to be successful.
|
|
PAST POST
|
To make a bet after an event has started.
|
|
PICK or PICK'EM
|
A game where neither team is favored.
|
|
PLAYER
|
Bettor, gambler.
|
|
PRACTICAL HOLD PERCENTAGE
|
The amount won by a bookmaker divided by the total amount booked.
|
|
PRESS
|
To bet a larger amount than usual.
|
|
PRICE
|
Line
|
|
PUPPY
|
Underdog
|
|
PUSH
|
Tie
|
|
|
|
R
|
|
ROUND ROBIN
|
A series of parlays. A three-team round robin consists of one three-team parlay and three two-team parlays.
|
|
RUNDOWN
|
Line update
|
|
RUNNER
|
See Beard
|
|
|
|
S
|
|
SCALPER
|
One who attempts to profit from the differences in odds from book to book by betting both sides of the same game at different prices.
|
|
SCORE
|
To win a lot of money.
|
|
SCRATCH
|
Withdraw; cancel
|
|
SHARP
|
Wise guy
|
|
SHORTSTOP
|
A small bettor.
|
|
SIDE
|
To win one side and tie the other. For example, if you lay -2 1/2 and take 3 on the same game and the favorite wins by 3 you have SIDED the book. The book has been SIDED.
|
|
SQUARE
|
Unsophisticated gambler.
|
|
STEAM
|
Heavy action on one side.
|
|
STRAIGHT BET
|
A bet on just one team.
|
|
SUCKER BET
|
Bet with a large house edge.
|
|
|
|
T
|
|
TAKE A PRICE
|
Bet the underdog, take the points.
|
|
TAPPED OUT
|
Broke, busted, common result of pressing.
|
|
THEORETICAL HOLD PERCENTAGE
|
The edge the bookmaker would have IF the odds guaranteed him a constant commission regardless of the outcome.
|
|
TOKE
|
A tip or gratuity.
|
|
TOSS UP
|
Game where the line is close to pick-em.
|
|
TOUT SERVICE
|
A business that sells opinions on sporting events.
|
|
TRIPLE SHARP
|
The sharpest of the sharp. (Note: There is no such term as "Double Sharp").
|
|
|
|
U
|
|
UNDERLAY
|
When the odds on a proposition are in favor of the house.
|
|
|
V
|
|
VALUE
|
An overlay
|
|
VIGORISH
|
See Juice
|
|
|
|
W
|
|
WISE GUY
|
Established and successful sports bettor.
|
|
|
|
|
