Welcome to your go-to guide for understanding the language of sports betting. Whether you’re a novice bettor or a seasoned pro, knowing the essential terms can make or break your betting experience. In this comprehensive article, we demystify 25 must-know sports betting terms, complete with easy-to-understand definitions and real-world examples. From ‘Action’ to ‘Vigorish,’ we’ve got you covered. Read on to elevate your betting game and make more informed wagers.

1. Action: The amount of money wagered on a game. Example: “I have $50 in action on tonight’s game.”
2. Against the Spread (ATS): Betting on the point spread, not just the winner. Example: “The team won against the spread.”
3. Bankroll: The total amount of money a bettor has to place wagers. Example: “My bankroll for this season is $1,000.”
4. Bookmaker/Bookie: A person or organization that accepts bets. Example: “I placed my bet with a reputable bookmaker.”
5. Chalk: The favorite in a game. Example: “The chalk for today’s game is the Lakers.”
6. Cover: When a team wins against the point spread. Example: “The team managed to cover the 7-point spread.”
7. Dog: Short for underdog, the team expected to lose. Example: “The dog really has a chance to win today.”
8. Double Chance: A bet where you win if your team wins or draws. Example: “I took a double chance bet on the home team.”
9. Edge: An advantage. Example: “I have an edge in this bet because I know the goalie is injured.”
10. Even Money: A bet that pays 1:1. Example: “This bet is even money, so I’ll double my wager if I win.”
11. Futures: Bets on events that will happen in the future. Example: “I have a futures bet on who will win the Super Bowl.”
12. Handicap: A system used to even out odds. Example: “The handicap makes the game more interesting to bet on.”
13. Hedging: Placing a new bet to minimize potential loss on an existing bet. Example: “I’m hedging my bet to ensure I at least break even.”
14. In-Play Betting: Betting on events after they have started. Example: “I did some in-play betting during halftime.”
15. Juice: The commission taken by the bookmaker. Example: “The juice on this bet is 10%.”
16. Moneyline: A bet where you pick the winner, regardless of the point spread. Example: “I took the moneyline on the underdog.”
17. Over/Under: A bet on whether the total points will be over or under a set number. Example: “I’m taking the over on 45.5 points.”
18. Parlay: A single bet that links two or more bets. Example: “I hit a 3-team parlay last weekend.”
19. Prop Bet: A bet on a specific occurrence within a game. Example: “I have a prop bet on the first player to score.”
20. Push: When a bet results in a tie. Example: “The game ended in a push, so I got my money back.”
21. Sharp: A professional bettor. Example: “Sharps are moving the line on this game.”
22. Spread: The number of points a team is expected to win or lose by. Example: “The spread is 7 points in favor of the home team.”
23. Teaser: A type of parlay where you can adjust the point spread. Example: “I placed a teaser to get better odds.”
24. Total: The combined number of points scored in a game. Example: “The total is set at 50 points.”
25. Vigorish: Another term for the bookmaker’s commission. Example: “The vigorish is too high on this bet for me.”