GLOSSARY OF TERMS

BETTING GUIDE


Across the board: A method of wagering on a horse to win, place and show.

Action: A baseball wager where no pitcher is specified.

Bookmaker/Bookie: A Person who takes wagers on sporting events.

Chalk: The favored team or horse.

Circled Game: A game where the limits are lowered or betting options are restricted, usually due to injuries.

Cover: To bet the spread by the required number of points. When you win, you have "covered the spread".

Dead Heat: When two or more horses finish in a tie.

Dime: $1,000

Dog: Underdog

Dollar: $100

Even Money: A wager on which neither side lays any odds or vigorish.

Final 4: The remaining 4 teams in the NCAA Basketball tournament.

Futures: Bets placed on an event or outcome taking place some time in the future, e.g. betting during the season on the SuperBowl winner.

Half A Dollar: $50

Handicapper: One who studies and rates sporting events.

Hook: A half point.

Juice: The commission the bookie earns.

Lines: Another word for odds.

Lock: Easy Winner.

Money Line: A wager where no pointspread is involved.

Nickel: $500

Off the Board: A game on which the bookmaker is not offering at that moment.

Over/Under: A bet on whether the combined total of the points/goals scored by the two teams will exceed or be less than a specified number.

Parlay: A bet on 2 or more teams or outcomes where the original stake and winnings are re-invested on the next wager. All selections must be correct for the parlay to win. In the event of a push or a game cancellation, the parlay reverts to the next lower number, e.g. a 4-team parlay becomes a 3-team parlay.

Pick'em Game: A game where neither team is favored.

Pointspread: The handicap, or head start, which the favorite gives to the underdog for betting purposes.

Price: The odds or pointspread.

Push: A tie.

Spread: An abbreviated form of pointspread.

Steam: A game that has been released by professional a professional sports betting syndicate.

Teaser: A bet on 2 or more teams where the line on each team is adjusted in the favor of the bettor. Like a Parlay, all selections must be correct for the teaser to win.

Total: The combined number of points/goals scored by the two teams (see over/Under). Vigorish: The commission the bookie earns.

Wise Guy: A professional gambler.