Sports Investing Terminology (A–Z)
1. Against the Spread (ATS) – A wager that factors in the point spread; winning “against the spread” means your pick covered the spread.
2. Arbitrage – A risk-free betting strategy that exploits differences in odds across sportsbooks to guarantee profit.
3. Bankroll – The total amount of money set aside specifically for betting purposes.
4. Bad Beat – A loss that occurs unexpectedly, often in the final moments of a game.
5. Bookmaker (Bookie) – The entity or platform that sets odds and accepts bets.
6. Chalk – The favorite in a betting matchup.
7. Closing Line – The final odds offered on a game before it starts.
8. Cover – When a team beats the point spread.
9. Dog (Underdog) – The team or side expected to lose a matchup.
10. Dime – Slang for a $1,000 wager.
11. Edge – The advantage a bettor believes they have over the sportsbook.
12. Futures – Bets placed on events that will occur later, like season champions or award winners.
13. Handle – The total amount of money accepted in wagers.
14. Hedging – Placing a second bet to reduce risk on the initial wager.
15. Hook – A half-point added to betting lines (e.g., -3.5), often affecting outcomes.
16. Juice (Vig or Vigorish) – The commission or fee sportsbooks take on bets.
17. Line Movement – Changes in betting lines based on market activity or news.
18. Live Betting (In-Game Betting) – Placing bets while a game is ongoing.
19. Lock – A bet believed to be a guaranteed win (usually used casually—not recommended for serious bettors).
20. Moneyline – A straight bet on which team will win, regardless of point spread.
21. Over/Under (Totals) – A wager on the combined score going over or under a set number.
22. Parlay – A single bet that links multiple wagers; all must win to cash out.
23. Pick’em – A game where neither team is favored (the line is 0).
24. Prop Bet (Proposition Bet) – A wager on something other than the final outcome (e.g., player stats).
25. Push – When a bet results in a tie, and the original wager is refunded.
26. ROI (Return on Investment) – A metric showing how much profit is made relative to the total risked.
27. Sharp – A professional or experienced bettor with a proven edge.
28. Spread (Point Spread) – A number set by sportsbooks to level the playing field between favorites and underdogs.
29. Teaser – A type of parlay where you can adjust the point spread in your favor, usually for lower odds.
30. Unit – A consistent measure of bet size relative to your bankroll, often used to standardize betting results.