SPORTS BETTING LINGO
20 CENT LINE-The money line difference (20 cents) between what a bettor would lay with the favorite or take back with the underdog
ACROSS THE BOARD-Horse/Dog must finish 1st, 2nd, or 3rd. If it wins, it pays out for all three positions. If it places, it pays out for place and show. If it shows, only pays show.
BACK DOOR COVER-A team comes back in the end to cover the spread
BAD BEAT-Sure winner turned to a loser
BANKROLL or BR-Your gambling money
CHALK-Favored team
CHALK PLAYER-Bettor who almost always plays favorites
CIRCLED GAME-A game in which limits may be limited due to an injury, uncertainty of a player's status, or inclement weather
FAVORITE-The contestant in any given contest that is considered the most talented, or has the best chance to win the contest.
HEDGING-The placing of a bet on the other side in order to cut losses or guarantee profit on a wager
HOOK-1/2 point
JUICE-Book commission
LAYING POINTS-Playing the favorite
LINE-Odds or spread on a game
LINEMAKER-The person or group that establishes the line, spread, or odds
LISTED PITCHER-You do this when you want guaranteed action on a game. If the listed pitcher does not start your game is no action. Conversley, if you list a game as action you get whatever pitchers start
LOCK-Guaranteed winner
MATADOR-A cover that occurs in the waning moments of a game (also referred to as a back door cover)
MIDDLER-Gambler that takes both sides of a game hoping for result to land in middle
NEUTRAL SITE-Arena, court or field where neither side has a home field advantage.
NICKEL-$500
ODDSMAKER-The person or group that establishes the line, spread
PARLAY-A wager in which you get enhanced odds however all games in your "parlay" must win or your ticket is void
PAST POST-To place a wager after an event has started
PICKEM-Wager in which the pointspread is zero
PLACE-Horse/Dog racing wager in which your selection must come in 1st or 2nd place in order to cash
POINTSPREAD-The betting line
PUSH-Tie on wager
QUINELLA-Horse/Dog racing wager in which your two selections must come in 1st and 2nd place
REDUCED VIG-A wager in which your laying less than the standard -110
ROUND ROBIN-A single ticket comprised of more than one parlay. Same as "boxing" in horse racing.
SCRATCH-Withdraw; cancel.
SHOW-Horse/Dog racing wager in which your selection must come in at least 3rd place in order to receive payout
SQUARE-Player that is always on favorites and overs. Also known as a gambling fool.
STRAIGHT BET-One wager (opposed to a parlay)
SUCKER BET-Parlays, teasers or exotics (anything bookmakers use to entice squares to bet more)
TAKING A PRICE-Betting an underdog
TEASER-Multi game card in which you can move the spread X amount of points (points and odds vary)
TOTAL-Wager on the over/under in a game
TRIFECTA-Horse/Dog racing wager in which your three selections must come in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd respectively
UNDERLAY-A situation in which the odds on a game favor the house rather than bettors
VIGORISH-Amount of commission kept by the house (also referred to as juice or vig)
WIN-Horse/Dog racing wager in which your selection must win in order to cash on your selection
