ACTION
This is a wager of any kind, or a bet. In baseball, this means placing the bet no matter who pitches.
BEARD
This refers to a friend or acquaintance or other contact who places bets so that
bookmakers will not know the identity of the actual bettor. Many of the top handicappers
and people who occupy certain sensitive positions may use this method for wagering.
BOOK
this is an establishment known for accepting wagers, on the outcome of horseracing and sporting events.
BOOKIE
This is the person who actually takes the clients' bets.
BUCK
This is slang for a $100 wager.
CANADIAN LINE
This is commonly considered a combination point line and moneyline in hockey.
CHALK
Slang for a favorite.
CHALK PLAYER
This is a person who often only plays the favored teams, and rarely bets on the underdogs.
CIRCLED GAME
This means a game in which the betting action is severely limited. Usually, this occurs in games that feature key injuries, bad weather, or there are rumors about a team. For example, many bookies "circle" all Ivy League Games.
COVER
This means you bet the spread by the required number of points. When this happens, you have "covered the spread".
DIME OR DIME BET
Slang for a $1,000 dollar wager.
DOG
This refers to the underdog in a betting proposition.
DOG PLAYER
Someone who often plays the underdog.
DOLLAR BET OR BUCK
Slang for a $100 hundred dollar wager.
DOUBLE BET
When a wager amount is twice the size of the usual wager. This is also called a "double pop" or "doubling up".
DUE FOR
Many bettors like to play "due for" situations, and wager on a team that is said to be "due for" a win or a loss.
EAST COAST LINE
This is primarily used in hockey, which has a split-goal line. For example, the NY Rangers are a 1 - 1 ½ favorite over the Vancouver Canucks as opposed to goal spread plus moneyline at -1/2 -180.
EDGE
This means the advantage.
EVEN MONEY
This is a wager in which there is no virgorish or juice.
EXOTIC WAGER
Any bet other than a straight bet, such as parlays, teasers, if bets, reverses, round robin, round robin box reverses, etc.
FUTURES
These are odds that are posted on the winners of various major sport championships well in advance of the actual event. This may include the Super Bowl, the World Series, the Stanley Cup and the NBA championship, or any celebrated event.
GETTING DOWN
This is slang for the act of making a wager.
HANDICAPPER
The person who studies, rates and wagers on sporting events.
HANDLE
This is the total amount of the bets that are taken.
HEDGING
The act of placing bets on the opposite side, to cut losses, or even guarantee winning a minimal amount of money.
HOOK
This is a half point that is added to football and basketball betting lines.
IF Bets & REVERSES
IF BETS
These are a combination of conditional straight bets, in 2 to 6 picks, in one single play. In a Single action IF bet, play will continue if the previous play wins, only. In a Double action, play will continue if the previous play wins, pushes or cancels.
REVERSES
These are a combination of 2-8 picks that are combined in all possible two team IF bets and then reversed as well. Reverses are always double action. `
JUICE
This is the bookmaker's commission. It is also called the vigorish.
Not Available at this time.
LAYING THE POINTS
This means betting on the favorite.
LIMIT
This is the maximum amount a bookmaker will allow you to bet before the odds or the points change. This is also the "cap" on what you can personally wager.
LINE
This is the current odds or pointspread posted on a particular event.
LINEMAKER
This is the person who establishes the original betting lines.
LISTED PITCHERS
When you state that you will place a bet only if one or both of the pitchers scheduled to start a baseball game, actually start. If this does not happen, your bet will be cancelled.
MIDDLE(S)
In order to win both sides of the same betting proposition, you may bet a favorite team at -1.5 with one bookmaker, and then take +3.5 with another. If the game concludes with the favorite winning by exactly 3 points, you have "middled the game." This is a favorite betting method for "Wise Guys".
NICKEL
This is the current odds or pointspread posted on a particular event.
ODDSMAKER
This is the same as a linemaker.
OFF THE BORD
This is what you call a game when a bookmaker will not accept action on it.
PARLAY
This is, 1. a type of sport bet on two or more teams, in which all of the teams must win or cover for the bet to be successful, and receive higher payouts. This is also, 2. a wager on two or more horse races in which the winnings are carried over to the next race.
PICK 'EM GAME
This means neither team is favored, and you take your pick and lay 11 to 10.
POINTSPREAD
This is known as the "line," or the handicap, or head start that the favorite will give to the underdog for betting purposes.
PRICE
This refers to the odds or pointspread.
PUSH
Simply, a tie. When neither side wins, and all of the money is returned to the bettors.
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ROUND ROBIN
This is when there are a series of three or more teams are put into 2-team wagers.
RUN LINE
The line that is used when you are wagering on baseball.
SMART MONEY
These are the sides that the more knowledgeable handicappers bet on.
STEAM
This is when a betting line begins to move quickly. Most "steam games" do not necessarily reflect the "right side," but these are games that many of the bettors somehow decide to key on.
STORE
Slang for a Bookie.
STRAIGHT BET
This is a bet on just one team or horse.
TAKING
This means wagering on the underdog, or taking the odds.
TOTALS
This means the total combined for points, runs, or goals scored in a game. In baseball, for example, if either of the two listed starting pitchers don't play then the bet is automatically cancelled.
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WISE GUY
Slang for a well informed or knowledgeable handicapper or bettor.
WOOD
This is slang for laying points.
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