|
|
Bookmaker's
commission, also known as the vig or vigorish. |
|
|
Betting
on the favorite. A.K.A. lay a price |
|
LAYOFF
BET
|
A
bet made by one bookmaker with another in order to balance
the action and reduce the risk on one side. |
|
LIMIT
|
The
maximum bet accepted by a house or bookmaker before he changes
odds and/or the points. |
|
LINE
|
The
listed odds on a game and/or payoff odds on the bet. |
|
LINEMAKER
|
The
person who establishes the original and subsequent betting
lines. |
|
LOCK
|
A
sure winner. |
|
LONGSHOT
|
A
large underdog where the odds of winning is quite steep. Hence
the term "Not by a longshot". |
|
|
The
Bookmaker. |
|
MIDDLES
|
To
win both sides of a game. |
|
MONEY
LINE
|
The
odds expressed in terms of money. |
|
|
Venue
of a sporting event where neither side has a home field advantage.
|
|
NEWSPAPER
LINE
|
The
betting lines appearing in the daily newspapers. |
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NICKEL
|
A
$500 wager. |
|
|
The
same as a linemaker. |
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ODDS
ON FAVORITE
|
A
horse, team or individual so favored by the public that the
odds are less than even. |
|
OFF
THE BOARD
|
A
game on which no bets are accepted. |
|
OFF
LINES
|
The
difference of amount the Las Vegas pointspread has compared
with the computerized mathematical line. |
|
OFFICIAL
LINE
|
The
line that the bookmaker uses for wagering purposes. |
|
OUT
|
An
illegal bookmaker |
|
OUTLAW
LINE
|
An
early line which is not an official line |
|
OVERLAY
|
When
the odds of a given proposition are more in favor of the bettor
than the house. |
|
OVER
& UNDER
|
A
wager for the total score by both teams will more or less
than the total posted by the sports book. |
|
|
A
bet with two or more teams where all the teams beat on must
win in order for the bettor to win the wager. |
|
PAST
PERFORMANCE
|
What
has occurred previously to the forthcoming games. |
|
PAST
POST
|
To
make a bet after the event has begun. |
|
PICK'EM
GAME
|
A
game where team is favored. |
|
PLAYER
|
A
bettor, or gambler |
|
POINTSPREAD
|
The
amount of points the bettor must give to take on any given
game. |
|
POST
TIME
|
The
scheduled starting time. |
|
PRACTICAL
HOLD PERCENTAGE
|
The
amount won by a bookmaker divided by the total amount booked.
|
|
PRESS
|
Betting
a larger amount than usual. |
|
PRICE
|
The
odds or pointspread. |
|
PROPOSITION
BET
|
A
wager on a particular aspect of the game such as how many
field goals will be made. |
|
PUPPY
|
The
underdog. |
|
PUSH
|
Where
neither team wins and all money is returned to the bettors.
|
|
|
A
form of parlay betting in which we wager various combining
team wagers. A 3-team robin is team 1 to 2, 1 to 3, and 2
to 3. 4-team robin is team 1 to 2, 1 to 3, 1 to 4, 2 to 3,
2 to 4, and 3 to 4. 5-team, etc. |
|
RUN
DOWN
|
A
line update. |
|
RUNNER
|
A.K.A.
Beard |
|
|
A
person who attempts to profit from the differences in odds
from book to book by betting both sides of the same game at
different prices. |
|
SCORE
|
To
win big. |
|
SCRATCH
|
To
withdraw or cancel a wager. |
|
SCOUTS
|
Person(s)
who study team plays and/or practice and report findings to
handicappers. |
|
SIDE
|
Winning
one side of a wager and tieing the other side. |
|
SMART
MONEY
|
Sides
that are bet on by the more knowledgeable handicappers. |
|
SPORT
PLAYER
|
A
person who waits for what he thinks is an unusually strong
wager. |
|
SQUARE
|
Unsophisticated
gambler. |
|
STAR
|
Rating.
|
|
STEAM
|
When
heavy action occurs on one side. |
|
STRAIGHT
BET
|
A
bet on just one team. |
|
THE
STORE
|
Bookie. |
|
STUCK
|
Behind,
losing, buried, down for the week. |
|
SUCKER
BET
|
Betting
on the underdog. |
|
|
Bet
the underdog, take the points. |
|
TAPPED
OUT
|
Broke,
busted, common result of pressing. |
|
THEORETICAL
HOLD PERCENTAGE
|
The
edge the bookmaker would have if the odds guaranteed him a
constant commission regardless of the outcome. |
|
TOKE
|
A
tip or bonus. |
|
TOSS
UP
|
A
game where the line is close to pick-em. |
|
TOUT
SERVICE
|
A
business that sells opinions on sports or horse wagers. |
|
TRIPLE
SHARP
|
The
sharpest of the sharp. |
|
|
Having
the odds of a proposition lean in favor of the house. |
|
|
Getting
the best available odds on a betting proposition. |
|
VIRGORISH
|
The
commission the bookmaker receives. |
|
|
Any
Bet. |
|
WISE
GUY
|
A
sophisticated and successful sports bettor. |
|
|
