Betting Terminology

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Welcome to our comprehensive guide to sports betting jargon, designed to enhance your understanding of the intricacies of the betting world. Here's a breakdown of the key terms and concepts that every sports bettor should be familiar with:

ATS (Against The Spread): ATS is an abbreviation for "Against The Spread." It pertains to the outcome of a game in relation to the point spread set by oddsmakers.

Favorite: The favorite is the team anticipated to win based on odds set by experts.

Underdog: The underdog is the team projected by odds-makers to lose a particular match-up.

Juice: Juice denotes the commission earned by a sportsbook on each wager. When odds are even, sportsbooks often structure the bet at -110, retaining a margin of -10.

Spread: A spread provides an advantage to the underdog in a game. For the bet to succeed, the favored team must win by a margin exceeding the point spread.

Money line: Betting on the money line involves placing a wager solely on a team's outright victory, with no consideration of point spreads.

Straight Bet: A single bet on a spread, money line, or over/under is known as a straight bet.

Over/Under: When betting on an over/under, you predict the final combined score of a game. For instance, if you bet on the Cardinals/Cubs Over 8, you win if the total runs scored by both teams surpass 8.

Pick'em: In a Pick 'em game, no clear favorite or underdog exists. Odds-makers believe both teams have an equal chance of winning.

Push: A push transpires when a bet results in a tie, resulting in neither a loss nor a win. For example, if you bet on the Cowboys -8 and the final score is 22-14, it's considered a push.

Unit: A unit signifies a bettor's standard wager size, usually ranging from 1% to 3% of their total bankroll.

Dime: A dime bet equates to a substantial wager of $1,000.

Nickle: A nickel bet translates to a wager amounting to $500.

Parlay: A parlay is when a bettor combines two or more money lines, spreads, or over/under bets, aiming for a higher payout if all selections are correct. Should any of the combined bets lose, the entire parlay is unsuccessful.

Second Half Bet: Placed after the first half concludes, a second-half bet capitalizes on the odds-makers' new line. This is advantageous when a team trails after the first half, offering potentially better odds.

Lock: is a term used to describe a selection considered an assured victory. However, experienced bettors are well aware that there are no absolute "locks."

Futures: A futures bet is one where the outcome won't be decided immediately. Typically, it involves placing bets on a team's championship victory before the season starts or predicting a team's win total. An example would be selecting the Miami Dolphins to win the Superbowl at +1200 prior to the season start commencement.

Chalk: Chalk refers to wagering on the favored team. When there is mention of "a lot of chalk on that card," it indicates that a bettor is favoring numerous favorites in their bets.

Expand your sports betting knowledge with these fundamental terms, allowing you to approach your wagers with a heightened level of understanding and sophistication. Remember, informed decisions lead to more favorable outcomes. Happy betting!