Sports News Blitz betting and casino guide: A glossary for betting terms and phrases
We love sports news and betting tips here at Sports News Blitz, and our sister site Travel News Blitz provides guides on the best sports bars and casinos on the planet.
Our content team provides free betting tips for soccer, the NFL, NBA, golf, tennis and more.
But not everyone knows all the betting terminology, especially around US sports markets, so here is a glossary that covers common terms and phrases used in sports betting and gambling.
Action: Refers to any bet that is currently active or ongoing.
Bookmaker (Bookie): A person or organization that accepts bets and sets odds on sporting events.
Chalk: The favorite in a betting event. Also known as the "chalk bet" when betting on the favorite.
Cover: To beat the point spread or win a bet.
Dime: Slang for a $1,000 bet.
Favorite: The team or competitor expected to win an event. Odds are shorter for the favorite.
Handle: The total amount of money wagered on a single event or over a period of time.
Juice (Vig or Vigorish): The commission or fee taken by the bookmaker on bets. Also known as the "house edge."
Line: The odds or point spread for a particular betting event.
Long Shot: A team or competitor with low odds of winning. Also known as an underdog.
Moneyline: A type of bet where you pick the winner of a game or event outright, without considering the point spread.
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Over/Under (Total): A bet on whether the total combined score of both teams in a game will be over or under a specified number.
Parlay: A bet that combines multiple selections into a single wager. All selections must win for the parlay to be successful.
Point Spread: The predicted margin of victory set by the bookmaker for a particular game. Bettors can wager on the favorite to win by more than the spread or the underdog to lose by less than the spread.
Proposition (Prop) Bet: A bet on a specific aspect of a game, such as which team will score first or how many yards a player will rush for.
Sharp: A knowledgeable or professional bettor who often makes large wagers.
Square: An inexperienced or recreational bettor who typically bets for fun rather than profit.
Teaser: A type of bet that allows the bettor to adjust the point spread or total in their favor for reduced odds.
Underdog: The team or competitor not expected to win an event. Odds are longer for the underdog.
Unit: A standard measurement used to track betting profits or losses, typically equal to 1% of the bettor's bankroll.
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