Grade - The certification of wagering results.

Common futures bets include betting a team to win a championship at the outset of a season, whether the team will win or lose more games than a set line at the start of the season, or a particular player to win a specific award. For example, in a football game, if a team is a 2.5-point favorite, it will have to win by three points or more to be an ATS winner.įutures bet - A long-term wager that typically relates to a team or individual's season-long success. Depending on the sport, the favorite will lay either odds or points. You put up $1 to win $1.įade - To go against a team, a player, a handicapper or the public.įavorite - The expected straight-up winner in a game or event. Sports bettors might feel they have an edge on a sportsbook if they think its lines are not accurately reflecting the range of possible outcomes.Įven money - Odds that are considered 50-50. For a favorite to cover, it has to win by more than the spread an underdog covers by winning outright or losing by less than the spread.Įdge - An advantage. People said to be 'chalk' bettors typically bet the favorite.Ĭlosing line - The final line before the game or event begins.Ĭover - The betting result on a point-spread wager. Alternative line - Many sportsbooks offer multiple options for point spreads, totals and other markets, with longer or shorter odds based on whether the result is considered more or less likely to occur.ĪTS (against the spread) - If a team is 5-2 ATS, it has a 5-2 record against the point spread.īackdoor cover - A team that is not covering scores points at the end of a game to cover the spread unexpectedly.īad beat - Losing a bet that looked likely to win near the end of a game or other time period.Ĭashout - An option offered by many sportsbooks in which bettors can accept a payout before a wager reaches its end.Ĭhalk - The favorite in the game. Alphabetical glossary of sports betting termsĪction - Having a wager on a game. So if you don't know your money line from your points spread or your bad beat from your backdoor cover, this glossary is for you. Over the years, sports bettors and bookmakers alike have developed their own language when talking about wagering.

Sports betting may be new to your state, or you may be new to sports betting, but the activity has been around for as long as there have been sports. Sports Betting Glossary: Odds, lines, spreads, futures and more You have reached a degraded version of because you're using an unsupported version of Internet Explorer.įor a complete experience, please upgrade or use a supported browser

Placing bets online