Sportsbetting Glossary A-L

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Dictionary of gambling terms

 

ACTION- A wager of any kind - In baseball, making a wager on a team whom ever the starting pitchers are. ATP-Association of Tennis Professionals

BEARD- An agent who is used to place wagers so the true identity of the bettor is kept anonymous.

BOOK- A physical place that accepts wagers on sports or horses.

BOOKMAKER- An establishment or person that accepts wagers on sports or horses. Bookie is slang for bookmaker.

CANADIAN LINE- A combination; using a money-line and puck-line.

CHALK- The favorite or favourite.

CHALK PLAYER- Someone who usually wagers on the favorite.

CIRCLED- A game in which the bookmaker has reduced his limits. Many times the bookmaker will only take half as much as his normal limits.

COVER- When a favorite wins by more than the spread or when the underdog loses by less than the spread. If a money-line is used then the outright winner is said to have covered.

DIME- $1,000

DIME LINE- The difference (in cents) between the favorite and the underdog in a money-line price. If that difference is 10 cents, then it is called a dime line. If the difference is 5 cents, then that is called a nickel line. If the difference is 20 cents, then that is called a twenty-cent line etc.

DIME WAGER- A $1,000 wager.

DOG- Slang term for underdog.

DOG PLAYER- A person who mainly wagers on underdogs.

DOLLAR- A $100 wager.

DOUBLE BET- A wager for twice the bookmakers limit. Also called a double hit or double pop.

EAST COAST LINE- Same as a Canadian Line.

EDGE- Advantage.

EV- Expected value.

EVEN MONEY- Your risk and win are the same. Wagering $1 to win $1.

EXOTIC- Any wager other than a straight wager.

FAVORITE- The team or contestant that is favored to win or cover.

GETTING DOWN- Making a wager.

HANDICAPPER- A person who makes selections based on past performances.

HANDLE- Total amount of wagers placed or received on a given event or for a specific time frame.

HEDGING- Placing wagers on the opposite side in order to reduce losses or to insure a win.

HOLDING YOUR OWN- Staying close to even.

HOOK- Slang for whenever a wagering line uses a half of a point. Ex. 3 ½ point favorite could be said 3 and a hook.

HOT GAME- A game which is drawing a lot of action on one side.

JUICE- A bookmakers commission, also known as vigorish or vig. Banks call it interest.

LAYING THE POINTS- Wagering on the favorite.

LENGTHEN- When the odds go up it is called lengthening.

LIMIT- The maximum wager allowed.

LINE- Line or price or odds on a contest.

LINEMAKER- A person who makes the line, price or odds on a contest.

LISTED PITCHERS- The pitchers expected to start in a baseball game.

LOCK- A team or player implied by someone, usually a tout, "it can't lose" (many locks do lose)

LONGSHOT- A team or contestant given a small chance to win in the wagering.