Sports betting has its own unique language that can seem foreign to novice bettors at Unibet Danmark. This guide covers some of the most common terminology to know when getting started. Click here to know more about joker slot.
Table 1: Key Sports Betting Terms
| Term | Definition |
| Action | Having money at risk on a wager |
| Book or Bookmaker | A person or establishment that takes bets |
| Chalk | The favorite in a game. Heavy chalk refers to heavy favorites |
| Cover | When a team beats the point spread |
| Dog | The underdog in a game |
| Juice | The commission the bookmaker takes on a losing bet |
| Lock | A seemingly easy winner |
| Moneyline | A straight up bet on who will win |
| Odds | The likelihood of an outcome occurring |
| Over/Under | A wager on the total combined score of both teams |
| Parlay | A single bet on multiple games that all must win |
| Push | When a bet ties against the spread |
| Spread | The number of points a team must win or lose by |
| Tout | Someone who sells picks on games |
| Value | When the true odds are better than what the bookmaker is offering |
Placing Bets
The most common types of wagers in sports betting include spread, moneyline, over/under, prop bets, parlays, and more. Understanding the terminology around these bets is key.
- Spread – Betting against the spread involves wagering on a team to win or lose by a certain number of points. The “spread” refers to the number of points a team is favored or underdog by. For example, if Team A is a 7-point favorite against Team B, Team A must win by more than 7 points to “cover the spread.”
- Moneyline – A moneyline bet simply involves picking a team to win straight up, regardless of the point spread. Moneyline odds are adjusted based on the favorite and underdogs in each game.
- Over/Under – An over/under bet involves wagering on the total points scored between both teams. Sportsbooks set a benchmark number and bettors decide if the final score will be over or under that total.
- Prop Bets – Proposition bets focus on outcomes other than the final score, like player performance. Examples include how many touchdowns a quarterback will throw or how many rebounds a basketball player will tally.
- Parlays – Parlay bets combine multiple wagers on one ticket, meaning all legs must hit for the parlay to cash. These offer big payouts but lower odds of winning.
Key Players
There are a few key players to be aware of in the sports betting landscape.
- Bookmaker/Sportsbook – The business that accepts and pays off bets. Also sets odds and point spreads.
- Oddsmaker – Sets early betting lines and odds that the sportsbooks then adjust. They analyze past data and team performance to set these numbers.
- Sharp Bettor – A professional or very knowledgeable sports bettor. Their sharp money can move betting lines.
- Tout – Sells picks on games and implies inside information. Touts are not always reliable so caution is warranted.
Helpful Advice for Beginners
Those new to sports betting should keep a few tips in mind.
- Shop for the best lines
- Keep realistic expectations
- Manage bankroll/don’t chase losses
- Do research before betting on unknown leagues
- Don’t bet more than 1-2% of bankroll per wager
Take advantage of sign-up bonuses from multiple sportsbooks, but make sure to read the fine print on rollover requirements. Only bet what you can afford to lose, as odds will always side with the sportsbooks in the long run.
While online casinos and sports betting has its own vocabulary to learn, the main components like spreads, odds, and payouts become second nature quickly with experience. This guide covers the key terminology needed to start wagering like a pro.
Reading the Odds
Understanding how to read betting odds is a key skill for sports bettors. At first glance, seeing all the numbers and fractions can seem overwhelming. However, the basics come down to three numbers: the risk, return, and implied probability.
The risk refers to the amount that needs to be wagered to win $100 in profit. For example, odds of -110 means $110 needs to be risked to profit $100.
The return is the amount won for every $100 wagered. Using the -110 example again, that means a $100 bet would return $190 ($100 in initial wager plus $90 profit).
Finally, the most important number is the implied probability. This is the percentage chance the oddsmakers give that wager of occurring. Converting fractional odds to percents reveals the probability. Odds of -110 convert to a 47.62% chance of happening.
So in a nutshell, sportsbook odds guide bettors on how much they need to risk, how much they stand to win, and the likelihood of that wager winning. While getting familiar with the numbers takes some work up front, interpreting betting odds soon becomes second nature.