Sports Betting Terms Glossary and Definition

Get definitions for the most popular sports betting terms, helps to make you a more informed bettor. Below, you will find the sports betting terms you may need to know to enjoy NJ online sportsbook. Explore online sports gambling with desktop sports betting, or by downloading the mobile app to start placing bets today! It’s safe, legal… View Article

Sports Betting

Get definitions for the most popular sports betting terms, helps to make you a more informed bettor. Below, you will find the sports betting terms you may need to know to enjoy NJ online sportsbook. Explore online sports gambling with desktop sports betting, or by downloading the mobile app to start placing bets today! It’s safe, legal and secure mobile sports betting anywhere in New Jersey. Place your first sports wager after you sign up for a NJ sports account. Here we have some of the terms you will need to know to be a pro at sports betting. You can also check out our guides on each NJ sportsbook to help you pick your best match.

GLOSSARY OF SPORTS BETTING TERMS

Action – A bet.

Added Game – A game not typically on the menu of betting options usually for players fun.

Book – The place that accepts wagers on sporting events.

Buy (Points) – An additional price, to receive a half-point or more in favor, on a spread. 

Chalk – The team most likely to win; the favorite.

Cover – Winning by more than the point spread.

Dime – A $1,000 bet.

Dog – The team most likely to lose. Short for underdog.

Favorite – The team considered most likely to win an Event; Chalk.

First Half Bet – A wager placed on the result of the first half of the game.

Future – Odds in advance of a major event like the Super Bowl or World Series.

Halftime Bet – A wager placed on the result of the second half of the game, including any overtime.

Handle – The total amount of wagers taken.

Hold – How much the house wins.

Juice – The books commission, aka β€˜vig.”

Laying the points – Betting on the favorite by giving points.

Limit – The amount accepted by the book before the odds and/or spread are changed.

Line – The odds or spread on an event.

Listed pitchers – In baseball, if both of the pitchers scheduled to start a game actually start. 

Longshot – A team perceived to be unlikely to win.

Middle – To win both sides of a game at a different point spread

For example, the player bets the dog +5 Β½ and the chalk -4 Β½ 

The chalk wins by 5, so they win both bets.

Money line – Odds expressed in terms of money:

(-) the player lays that amount to win $100

(+) the player wins that amount for every $100 wagered

Nickel – A $500 sports wager.

No Action – A bet where no money is lost or won and the original bet amount is refunded.

Off the Board – A game in which no wager are being accepted.

Opening Line – First line posted for a particular event.

Over – The player wagers that the total of two teams will be more than a specified number.

Parlay – A bet that links together two or more wagers; to win the bet one must win all the wagers in the parlay. The player wins a higher payoff than if the bets were made separately.

Pick or Pick β€˜em – A game with no clear Favorite.

Point Spread – The points in which the favored team must win by, to β€œcover the spread.”

Price – The odds or point spread.

Prop (Proposition) Bet – A bet that focuses on something that doesn’t necessarily affect the outcome of the game.

Which team will score first?

Will the coin toss be heads or tails?

Puck line – The spread in hockey.

Push – No winner or loser for wagering purposes; a tie.

Round Robin – A series of parlays. 

Run line – The spread in baseball.

Sides – The two teams playing; The underdog and the Favorite.

Sports book – An establishment that accepts sports wagers.

Straight Bet – A wager that will be determined by a point spread, money line or Total.

Straight-up – Winning the game without a point spread; a money line bet.

Take the Points – Betting on the dog and receiving an advantage in the point spread.

Teaser – A type of parlay in which each individual play is adjusted. The cost of adjusting the spread (teasing) is a lower payoff on winning bets.

Tie – No lost or won; scores were equal to the number of points in the spread or total.

Total – The combined amount of runs, points or goals scored by both teams during the game, including Overtime.

Under – The player the total points scored will be less than a certain number.

Underdog – The team most likely to lose. Aka the β€œdog.”

Vigorish – The bookmaker’s commission; also known as β€œjuice” or β€œvig.”

RANKSPORTSBOOKOfferScoreCall to Action Buttons Here
1Draftkings$500 deposit match
2FanDuel$500 risk-free bet
3Pointsbet$1,000 in risk-free bets
4FoxBet$20 free Cash and Up to $100 match deposit
5WilliamHillbet $50, get $50