Betting Glossary

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Here are some gambling terms and sport betting definitions that apply to betting on MMA fights.

Action	A sports betting wager of any kind, a bet.
Angles	Using key factors from previous events to predict the results for future outcomes.
Bet	To risk something on the outcome of an event
Book	An establishment that accepts bets on the outcome of events.
Bookie	A person who accepts bets.
Bookmaker	see ‘Bookie’
Buck	Sports betting term for a $100 wager.
Chalk	The favorite.
Chalk Player	Someone who usually only plays the favored fighter, rarely betting on the underdogs.
Data Mining	Searching through a large volume of statistics to find profitable situations to bet on in the future.
Dime	$1000.00 sports betting wager.
Dog	The fighter perceived to be most likely to lose.
Dog Player	Someone who mostly plays the underdog.
Dollar	$100, in sports wagering.
Double Action	An “if bet” in sports betting that is processed if the precedent bet wins, ties or cancels.
Double Bet	A wager for twice the size of one’s usual wager; also known as ‘Double Pop’ or ‘Doubling Up’.
Edge	A persons advantage when it comes to sports betting.
Even Money	A bet whose odds are 1/1; a wager in which no vigorish or juice is laid.
Exotic	Any wager other than a straight bet or parlay – also called a ‘Prop’ or ‘Proposition’.
Exposure	The maximum amount of money a sports book stands to lose on a game.
Favorite	The fighter expected to win. The quoted odds reflect the extent to which the choice is favored.
Fifty Cents	$50.00 of sports betting action.
Gamble	To risk money on the outcome of an event.
Getting Down	Sports wagering meaning making a bet.
Half a Dollar	$50.00 in sports betting action.
Handicapper	When it comes to sports betting a handicapper is one who studies, rates and wagers on events.
Handicapping	In sports gambling this is the attempt to predict the outcome of events.
Handle	A sports wagering term that means the total amount of bets taken.
Hedging	Placing wagers on the opposite fighter in order to cut losses or guarantee a minimum amount of winnings.
Juice	The bookmaker’s commission on a losing bet, also known as “Vigorish.”
Laying the Price	In sports wagering, laying the price means betting the favorite by laying money odds.
Layoff	Sports betting term for money bet by a house with another bookmaker to reduce its liability.
Limit	The maximum amount a bookmaker will allow you to bet before he changes the odds.
Line	In sports betting, the current odds or point spread on a particular event.
Linemaker	This is the person who establishes the original and subsequent betting lines.
Longshot	In sports wagering this is a fighter perceived to be unlikely to win.
Money Line	Odds expressed in terms of money. So a moneyline of -145 means that for every $1.45 you bet, you would win $1.
Nickel	$500.00, in on a sports gambling wager.
Nickel Line	A sports wagering line where the juice is 5%.
No Action	A wager in sports betting in which no money is lost nor won.
Odds	The likelihood of the outcome occurring, stated in numbers form.
Off the Board	In sports betting this is a game on which the bookmaker will not accept action.
Opening Line	The earliest line posted for a particular event.
Parlay	A bet with two or more fighters in which all fighters must win or cover for the bettor to win and receive higher payouts.
Pick	When neither fighter is favored.
Power Ratings	The strength of a fighter in comparison to another fighter.
Press	In sports betting this means to wager a larger amount than usual.
Price	Sports betting term for the odds or point spread.
Proposition Bet	A specific wager on an outcome in a fight. Take for example in boxing, there are prop bets on which round the fighter will end the bout.
Puppy	The underdog in an event.
Push	When the contest ends with no winner or loser for wagering purposes.
Run Down	In sports gambling this is all the lines for an specific date, sport, time, etc.
Runner	One who places bets for another when it comes to sports betting.
Sharp	When it comes to sports betting a sharp is a sophisticated or professional gambler.
Single Action	An “if bet” in sports gambling that is processed only if the precedent bet wins.
Sportsbook	A person or company that accepts bets.
Square	A novice when it comes to sports betting.
Store	A bookie or sports betting establishment.
Straight Bet	In sports betting this is a wager on just one fight.
Systems	Using trends for the past that you are consistent with to predict future outcomes.
Ticket	A sports betting wager.
Tout	Someone who sells their expertise on sports wagering.
Trends	Using the past to predict the future focusing in on only one fighter.
Underdog	The fighter perceived to be most likely to lose. Also known as the ‘Dog’ in sports betting terminology.
Value	In sports betting value means getting the best odds on a wagering proposition; the highest possible edge.
Vigorish	The bookmaker’s commission on a losing bet; also known as juice in sports betting.
Wager	To risk money on the outcome of an event, to bet.
Wise Guy	A wise guy is the sports gambling term for a well-informed or knowledgeable handicapper or bettor.