Action - A sports
betting wager of any kind on any sport, sometimes referred to as a
bet.
Added Game - For sports betting purposes, a game
or event that was not originally part of the Las Vegas regular
rotation.
Angles - Are play
selections that are derived from past historical sporting results
as a means of attempting to predict future results.
ATS - "Against the spread," the
oddsmaker places a point spread or money-line on any given match
up or event as a means of evening out the action on both sides,
the gambler then wagers against this posted number, how a gambler
has fared against the posted number in terms of his win/loss
record is what is referred to as "Against the spread".
Beard - In sports betting circles, heavy rollers
who wager more than the average Joe will use what is referred to
as a" beard" which is nothing more than a friend
or acquaintance who is used to place bets for the high roller as a
means to conceal the true identity of the real bettor.
Bet – Is simply
a wager one places on any given event, sometimes referred to as
"action".
Book - In gambling terminology a" Book"
is an establishment that accepts wagers or bets on the outcome of
any event and is not limited solely to sporting wagers.
Bookie - In gambling terminology a "Bookie"
is an individual who accepts bets or wagers on the outcome of
anything from a sporting event to the daily three digit or four
digit lottery number most states now pull on a daily or nightly
basis.
Bookmaker – see
above explanation of "Bookie".
Buck - In Sports
betting terminology a "Buck" is a term for a $100
wager.
Buy (Points) - In the world of sports betting, a
gambler has the opportunity to pay an additional fee in order to
receive or delete an additional half a point or more as a means to
better position him/her self to win.
Canadian Line - Our friends to our north have a
legal version of sports gambling which involves the use of parlay
cards.
Chalk - The point spread favorite.
Chalk Player - In sports gambling terminology this person is
someone who usually plays the favored teams and rarely betting
on the underdogs.
Circled game - In sports wagering this is a game
in which the amount you can wager on a particular contest is
limited, the reasons vary but are most often because of injuries
or bad weather.
Cover - This term usually refers to a point
spread win on any wagered on event.
Dime - In Sports
betting terminology a "Dime" is a term for a $1000
wager.
Dime Line - In sports gambling lingo a "Dime line" is a
line in which the juice is 10%.
Dog - In Sports gambling terminology a "Dog"
is the betting side not favored to win.
Dog Player - In sports gambling terminology a "Dog
Player" is a person who mostly bets on the point spread underdog.
Dollar - In Sports
betting terminology a "Dollar" is a term for a $100
wager.
Double action - This is a type of wager referred
to as an "if bet", meaning that if your first bet wins
than a second wager is automatically placed on another game that
was chosen in advance, however, if your first wager loses than the
whole wager is a loss.
Double Bet - A "Double Bet" is a
wager for twice the amount of one's usual wager.
Edge - This is a term to define a perceived
advantage.
Even Money - "Even
money" is a wager placed at even odds, meaning that the
normal vigorish or juice paid on a losing wager does not apply,
for example a $50 wager would net the winner $50 but only cost the
loser $50 instead of the normal $55 a loser would pay with a
standard 11/10 line.
Exotic - In sports gambling terminology the term
"Exotic" is
any wager other than a straight bet, teaser or parlay, for
example, during the Super Bowl sports books will issue what is
called proposition wagers which allow a gambler to bet on anything
from who will win the opening coin toss to who will be the MVP or
who will score the games first touchdown.
Exposure - This refers to the maximum amount of money
or risk a gambler, sports book, or bookie can stand to lose on any
given event without having to either stop or lay off.
Favorite - This is a term to define who the
perceived winner will be in any wagered on event, in most cases a
wager on a favorite means that a gambler will have to cover a
point spread or if a money-line is involved the gambler will have
to lay a higher amount of money to win a lesser amount of money.
Fifty cents - In Sports
betting terminology a "Fifty cent" bet is a term for a
$50
wager.
First half bet - In Sports
betting terminology this is a wager placed in which only the
result of the first half of a contest matters to the gambler.
Future - Sports books usually post odds or "Future's"
to win a specific championship or event well in advance of the
major event taking place, examples include but are not limited to
the Super Bowl, college football's National Championship game or
hockey's Stanley Cup.
Gamble- To "Gamble"
is to risk anything of value on a given event, usually the risk is
monetary in nature to a gambler but not always, after all, isn't
love the truest form of a gamble?
Getting Down - To a teenager this term means one
thing or another but in the world of Sports gambling the term "Getting
Down" means that a bet was placed on a given event.
Grand Salami - No this isn't a vulgar term, to
gamblers this is a sports betting term that is applied to the
grand total of goals scored in all the hockey games of the day,
the wagers placed on this bet involve betting on the posted
Over/Under total.
Half a dollar - In Sports
betting terminology a "Half a dollar" is a term for a
$50
wager.
Handicapper - In the simplest terms a handicapper
is one who handicaps any given event as a means of predicting the
outcome, many factors must be taken into consideration when
handicapping an event and placing a perceived money-line or point
spread on the event, professional handicappers use scheduling
situations, past history, weather or injury concerns, and public
opinion when placing what is referred to as weight on one side or
the other in a given match up.
Handle - The "Handle"
is a sports gambling term used by sports books and/or bookies that
signifies the
total amount of wagers taken on a given event.
Hedging - This is a sports gambling term used to
define a wager placed on the opposite side of one's original wager
as a means of cutting one's losses or guaranteeing a winning
outcome, for example, let's say that you placed a $100 future's
wager on a certain team to win the Super Bowl prior to the start
of the NFL season at 12 to 1 odds, if your team makes it to the
Super Bowl you stand to profit $1100 ($1200 minus your original
$100 wager) with a straight up win, in this scenario it would be
wise to "Hedge" some on the other team to insure
a profitable outcome.
Hook - In sports gambling terminology the term
"Hook" is a half point
added to football and basketball betting lines by the odds maker
as a means of tempting or forcing a gambler to wager on the
favorite or underdog in a given contest, often the "Hook"
comes into play when key numbers are involved, examples of key
numbers in football are 3, 7, 10, 13 and 14, while key numbers in
basketball are 2, and 4, key numbers are called key numbers
because these numbers are the point values assigned to a scoring
event such as a field goal, touchdown, or basket.
Juice - In Sports
betting terminology the "Juice" or "vigorish"
is the amount of commission collected by a sports book or bookie
for acting as the middleman in handling a placed wager, the loser
pays the "Juice" or "vigorish",
for example a $100 wager will net the winner $100 but cost the
loser $110 on a standard 11/10 "Juice" or "vigorish"
line.
Layoff - In Sports
betting terminology the term "Layoff " describes
what a gambler, sports book, or bookie does if they believe they
have over extended themselves financially on any given event,
often the "Layoff " wager is placed with another
sports book, bookie or gambler as a means to protect themselves
from too much exposure on one side or the other.
Limit - This is a term describing what sports
books or bookies place on a gambling event in terms of the maximum
amount they will allow you to wager , the event is also often
referred to as being "Circled", the reasons vary
but usually are due to injuries or weather concerns.
Line -This is a number placed on any event for
wagering purposes and is often expressed in terms of the amount of
points one side must spot the other as a means of evening the
playing field for both the favorite and underdog, in most cases a
money-line is also attached to the same event so that one may
simply wager on either the favorite or underdog to win without
having to lay points.
Lines maker - In sports wagering vernacular a "Lines
maker " or an "Odds maker " is one who
decides what line or number will be placed on a given event as a
means to garner equal wagering action on one or more sides of the
same event.
Long shot - This is a term to describe one or
more sides of the same event that is not expected to seriously
compete or win the event, for example, when boxer Buster Douglas
defeated Mike Tyson, Douglas was listed as a 50 to 1 "Long
shot " which means that a gambler wagering on Douglas won
$50 for each $1 wagered.
Middle - To "Middle " an event
means to win wagers on both sides of the same event, for example,
a gambler might wager on Team A which is listed as a 1 point
favorite early in the week, by weeks end the betting public for
one reason or another may drive the line up to the point that by
game time Team A is now listed as a 4 point favorite, this creates
a 3 point "Middle " that can be exploited by
placing a wager on Team B plus the 4 points, these opportunities
are rare but do occur.
Money line - The "Money line "
is a term to describe the wagering odds placed on an event by the "Lines
maker " or an "Odds maker " and is expressed in terms of
the amount of money one must lay in order to win any given wager,
the number will have either a plus or minus in front of it to
signify which side is the favorite and which side is the underdog
and is based on $100 although one can wager less, for example, the
"Money line " on a favorite in a sporting event
may be -130 which means that a gambler must wager $130 to win
$100, if the line on the betting dog is +130 you would win $130
for each $100 wagered.
Nickel - In Sports
betting terminology a "Nickel" bet is a term for a
$500
wager.
Nickel line - In Sports
betting terminology a "Nickel line" is a term to
describe the amount of "Juice" or "vigorish"
collected by a sports book or bookie
for acting as the middleman in handling a placed wager, a "Nickel
line" means that the loser
pays a 5% commission instead of the standard 10% commission, for example a $100 wager will net the winner $100 but cost the
loser $105.
Odds- The "Odds" of something
happening is a mathematical equation that is expressed with
numbers, for example, let's say that the "Odds"
of being dealt the card you need in order to complete an inside
straight in poker is 11 to 1 against you, a good poker player who
knows the odds against him will survey the amount of money in the
pot as a means to determine whether the "Odds"
are worth the gambling risk involved, the same holds true in the
sports wagering world with regard to finding value versus the
posted odds on any given event and is often referred to as ROI or
return on investment.
Off the board -
This is a term describing what sports books or bookies do when
they are unsure of what line to place on a given event for
wagering purposes, often the reason is due to an injury or weather
concern, sometimes immediately before or after an event is taken "Off
the board" the event will be "Circled"
as a means to limit the action.
One dollar - In Sports
betting terminology "One dollar" is a term for a $100
wager.
Opening Line- The "Opening
Line" is set by the "Lines maker " or
the "Odds maker " for any given wagering event
and from that point onward is influenced by the betting public.
Outlaw Line - This is a term to describe the
initial odds, line, or point spread attached to a given event by
the "Lines maker " or the "Odds maker ",
once this "Outlaw Line " is set only a few of the
most respected gamblers are allowed to wager for the purpose of
finding any potential weaknesses in the posted numbers or odds,
the "Outlaw Line " is then adjusted and becomes
the "Opening Line" for the rest of the gambling
world.
Over - In Sports gambling terminology to wager on
an "Over" is a term to describe a sports bet in which the bettor guesses that the combined point
total of two teams involved in a given event will be above a specified
total, one can also wager on team seasonal win/loss "Overs"
or "Unders" which are known as "Future
wagers".
Parlay - To "Parlay" in the most
simplest of terms means to build upon one's success, in the sports
gambling world to "Parlay" means to place a wager
on two or
more teams in which all teams must win or cover in order for the
gambler to
win and thus receive a much higher payout as a reward.
Pick'em - In sports wagering vernacular a "Pick'em
" means that neither team in a sporting event is favored
to win.
Point spread - This is a number placed on any
event for wagering purposes and is often expressed in terms of the
amount of points one side must spot the other as a means of
evening the playing field for both the favorite and underdog, in
most cases a money-line is also attached to the same event so that
one may simply wager on either the favorite or underdog to win
without having to lay points.
Power Ratings-
Prior to the start of a sporting teams season opening game
professional handicappers, "Lines makers" and "Odds
makers" access a teams relative strength with regard to
factors involving but not limited to the team's player roster and
coaching staff, a number or "Power Rating" is
then assigned to that team as well as every team in the same
league as a means of comparing in numerical form which team should
prevail when and if any two teams meet on the field of play and by
how many points.
Prop play - In sports gambling terminology the term
"Prop play" is similar to an
"Exotic" play in that it means any wager other than a straight bet, teaser or parlay, for
example, during the Super Bowl sports books will issue what is
called proposition wagers or
"Prop play's" which allow a gambler to bet on anything
from who will win the opening coin toss to who will be the MVP to who will score the games first
touchdown.
Puppy - In Sports gambling terminology a "Puppy"
is the betting side not favored to win.
Push - This is a term that is used when a tie
takes place and thus means that the event ends with no winner or
loser for wagering purposes, for example, if you make a wager on
Team A which is receiving plus 3 points and Team A loses by 3 a "Push"
has occurred.
Round Robin - In Sports gambling terminology a "Round
Robin" is simply a series of
three or more teams wagered on in a collection of two team parlays.
Run line - This is a term used strictly in baseball
that is almost identical to the point spread in a football game,
the only difference is that the "Run line" is a
projected total number of runs scored in a game by both teams and
is wagered on as an "Over" or "Under"
bet.
Runner - In sports betting circles, heavy rollers
who wager more than the average Joe will use what is referred to
as a " Runner" or a " beard" which is nothing more than a friend
or acquaintance who is used to place bets for the high roller as a
means to conceal the true identity of the real bettor.
Sharp - In Sports gambling terminology a "Sharp"
is simply a professional gambler, the term has to do with the
professional's ability to find the "edge" in any
given wagering event.
Sides - This term sometimes refers to the
participants of a given event but most often refers to the point
spread attached to a sporting event by the "Lines maker "
or the "Odds maker " as a means of garnering
equal wagers on both teams in any given match up.
Sports book- In gambling terminology a
"Sports book" is the legal version of a "Bookie"
or a "Book maker" and is an establishment
which accepts bets or wagers on the outcome of
anything from a sporting event to the daily three digit or four
digit lottery number most states now pull on a daily or nightly
basis.
Spread - This is a number placed on any event for
wagering purposes and is often expressed in terms of the amount of
points one side must spot the other as a means of evening the
playing field for both the favorite and underdog, in most cases a
money-line is also attached to the same event so that one may
simply wager on either the favorite or underdog to win without
having to lay points.
Square - In Sports gambling terminology a "Square"
is simply a novice gambler, the term has to do with the novice's
inability to think outside of his box or outside of his "Square".
Steam - A "Steam" game refers to a
contest in which the attached point spread is moved by the public
upward or downward in rapid fashion for one reason or another.
Store - This is a term for a Sports Book or any
other establishment that accepts wagers
Straight-up - This
is a term to describe wagering on the "Money line "
and simply means that a gambler only needs his team to win in
"Straight up" fashion.
Systems- Having or
using a "System" is simply a reference to using
past historical data as a means of predicting future events, in my
humble opinion one should NEVER wager on one side of a
contest over another based simply on a "System"
or a "Trend", instead one should use "Systems"
or "Trends" as supporting tidbits to further
enhance your decision.
Teaser - A "Teaser" is a wager
involving two or more plays in which the point spread or total is
adjusted according to the details of the "Teaser".
The adjustments are made in the bettor’s favor, as a sort of
insurance against the lines. However, similar to a Parlay bet,
every play within a Teaser must win or push for the play to be
active.
Totals Bet -
In Sports gambling terminology a "Totals Bet"
refers to a wager placed by a gambler on the Odds Makers'
posted total number of points, runs, or goals to be scored by both
teams in a given event, the gambler wagers on the "Totals
Bet" to either come in "Under" or "Over".
Tout - This term is a reference to a professional
gambler who sells his expertise in the form of sporting selections
to the public.
Trends- A
"Trend" is a term to describe a set of occurrences, for
example, the Pittsburgh Steelers at the time of this writing have
defeated the Cincy Bengals in their past five straight trips to
Bengal land, having or using a "Trend" or a
"System" is simply a reference to using past
historical data as a means of predicting future events, in my
humble opinion one should NEVER wager on one side of a
contest over another based simply on a "System"
or a "Trend", instead one should use "Systems"
or "Trends" as supporting tidbits to further
enhance your decision.
Under - In Sports gambling terminology to
wager on an "Under" is a term to describe
a sports bet in which the bettor guesses that the combined point
total of two teams involved in a given event will be below a specified
total, one can also wager on team seasonal win/loss "Overs"
or "Unders" which are known as "Future
wagers".
Underdog - In Sports gambling terminology an "Underdog"
is the betting side not favored to win, an "Underdog"
is often also referred to as a "Dog" or as
a "Puppy".
Value - In sports betting value means getting the
best odds on a wagering proposition; the highest possible edge.
Vigorish - In Sports
betting terminology the term "Juice" or "vigorish"
is the amount of commission collected by a sports book or bookie
for acting as the middleman in handling a placed wager, the loser
pays the "Juice" or "vigorish",
for example a $100 wager will net the winner $100 but cost the
loser $110 on a standard 11/10 "Juice" or "vigorish"
line.
Wager- In Sports
betting terminology this term Is simply
a bet or a "Wager" one places on any given event, sometimes referred to as
"action".
Wise guy - In Sports gambling terminology a "Wise
Guy" is simply another term for a professional gambler,
sometimes they are also referred to as "Sharps"
because of their ability to find the "edge" in
any given wagering event.
Our goal here
at www.footballforecastor.com
is to hit the 60% win mark year in and year out with our NFL
and college football selections, in the big picture few
handicappers are able to achieve this lofty goal on a consistent
basis. I shake my head in wonderment on how they get away with
such outrageous claims when I see the Saturday morning
scam-you-cappers on TV or in the advertisements listed in the USA Today newspaper touting win percentages of 75% or
80% over the course of a season.
The simple
truth is that the very best handicappers consistently produce
seasonal results that fall within the 55% to 60% range much like
we do here at footballforecastor.com year in and year out, my
advise to all new clients is to use extreme discipline in the
amount of games you wager on each week, you must also adhere to
good money management techniques in order to get through the peaks
and valleys of a long season.
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