| 10 Cent Line |
The money line difference (10 cents) between what a bettor would lay with the favorite or take back with the underdog; also called "Dime Line"; related - "20 Cent Line". |
| Across the Board |
A wagering method known as betting on a horse to win, place and show. |
| Action |
Defined as having a wager or bet of any kind. e.g. I have action on the Steelers game. |
| Bad Beat |
Refers to a tough loss for the bettor. |
| Buck |
Known as a $100. |
| Chalk |
Favorite team in a contest. |
| Circled Game |
A game in which the action is limited due to reservations about player injuries, weather, etc. |
| Cover |
When a team wins by more than the points they are giving, or the point spread. |
| Dead Heat |
When two horses finish in a tie. |
| Dime |
Equivilant to $1000 |
| Dime Line |
Slang used to designate the 10 cent money line. The money line difference (10 cents) between what a bettor would lay with the favorite or take back with the underdog; also called "10 Cent Line". |
| Dog |
Short for Underdog. |
| Dollar |
Equivalent to $100 |
| Edge |
To have an advantage. |
| Even Money |
A wager on which neither side lays any odds, vigorish or juice. |
| Exotic Bet |
A wager or having action other than a straight bet or parlay. |
| Exposure |
The amount of money one actually would lose if said contest was a loss. |
| Favorite |
The contestant in any given contest that is considered most likely to win. |
| Final Four |
Final four teams in the NCAA basketball tournament. |
| Firing |
Betting a lot; a player who is "firing" is wagering large sums. |
| Foots |
Refers to Football. |
| Futures |
Wagers made, or lines/odds posted on an event or outcome taking place some time in the future, e.g. betting during the regular NFL season on the winner of the SuperBowl (Will the SuperBowl champion be a team from the NFC or AFC?). |
| Get Down |
Making a bet. |
| Grand Slam |
The four major tennis tournaments: Wimbledon, Australian Open, French Open, U.S. Open. Also the four major golf tournaments: The Masters, U.S. Open, British Open, PGA Championship. Also in baseball, a homerun with the bases loaded, scoring four runs. |
| Grand Salami |
A slang word for the over/under total for the combined score of all the hockey contests on that day. |
| Halftime Line |
A line on only the first half, or only the second half scoring of a football or basketball game. |
| Handicapper |
One who studies sports and predicts outcomes. |
| Hedge |
Bet the opposite of your original wager in order to reduce the amount of exposure you have on a game. |
| Hook |
Half point in a pointspread. |
| Home Field Advantage |
Edge the home team is expected to have. This could be as a result of familiarity with the playing area, favorable demographics and/or effect of travel on the visiting team. |
| Hot Tip |
Known as insider information the bookie is not yet aware of. |
| Juice |
The bookies commission; also known as "Vig” or "Vigorish". |
| Lay the Points |
A wager on a favorite in a point spread contest. |
| Lay The Price |
A wager on a favorite in a moneyline contest. |
| Limit |
Refers to the maximum bet accepted by the house. |
| Line |
Usage of this word is referring to either the moneyline, odds, or pointspread of any given contest. |
| Listed Pitcher (LP) |
The pitcher or pitchers listed by Las Vegas bookmakers as probable starting pitchers for a scheduled baseball game. Often if the listed pitcher for a contest does not start, pending wagers will be cancelled. |
| Lock |
Refers to an easy winner or “for-sure” bet. You should know however that nothing is sports betting is for-sure! |
| Longshot |
Refers to a large underdog; a rather small chance of winning. |