For American sports bet terms, check out our sports bet dictionary now.
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Accumulator
A bet that combines multiple propositions into a single bet slip, where every selection must win (or push) to secure multiple payouts.
Action
Gamble / Bet
Ante-Post / Futures Bet
A bet for the outcome of an event in the future like the winner of the next English Premier League, even though the Finals may not take place for several weeks or months
In horse and greyhound, Ante-Post betting is when a fixed odds market exists prior to the final declaration stage of a race (usually 24 hours or more before a race).
Alphabet
An alphabet consists of 26 bets (two Patents (14 bets), one Yankee (11 bets) and one Six-fold) involving 6 selections in different events. Any one winning selection guarantees a return.
Anchor
Using a key horse, team or competitor in different, but not all possible, exotic wagering combinations.
Any 2
A bet on two 2 runners to finish either first, second or third.
Ante-Post / Futures Bet
A bet for the outcome of an event in the future like the winner of the next English Premier League, even though the Finals may not take place for several weeks or months.
Apprentice
Jockey who has not ridden a certain number of winners in a specified period of time.
Back
To place a bet.
Bad Beat
Tough betting loss.
Banker
A bettors strong selection, often taken in a number of different combinations.
Bankroll
Amount of money for gambling / betting.
Bet
Risk one's money against another's on the result of event.
Bet Back
Wager made by one bookie to another to balance his action.
Betting In the Run
To keep betting on a event after it has started, through to its completion or until the result becomes too obvious.
Betting Shop
An establishment that accepts wagers on the out come of horse racing, sporting events and just about anything.
Block
A wager involving either 9, 10, 11 or 12 selections. All possible Doubles, Trebles and Upward are included in a block. Any two winning selections guarantee a return.
Blue
Dispute over a wager.
Board
Where betting odds, pools and other information is displayed.
Boat Race
see "one goer"
Book
see "Betting Shop".
Bookie
Person who takes bets from clients.
Bookmaker
see "bookie"
Box
A combination bet whereby all possible numeric combinations are covered.
Bowler
A friend or acquaintance or other contact who is used to place bets so that the bookmaker will not know the identity of the actual bettor. Many professional punters and persons occupying sensitive positions use this method of wagering.
Cadger
Description given to a punter who continually asks for better prices / odds that are currently on offer.
Call
A running commentary of the position of horses in a race at various points.
Cast
Broke, busted, out of money.
Claim
Amount of weight deducted by an apprentice jockey according to the number of winners ridden in a period of time.
Combination Forecast / CFC
A bet involving three or more selections in the same race, with any two to finish first and second in any order to give a return. The table below shows the 6 possible winning outcomes to this bet.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | a-b | a-c | b-a | b-c | c-a | c-b |
The return would be five times the forecast dividend. The number of bets in a Combination Forecast is calculated by multiplying the number of selections by the preceding number e.g. for 3 selections, number of bets is 3 x 2 = 6.
Combination Forecast Doubles and Trebles
A bet involving a combination of forecasts across two races (Doubles) or three races (Trebles). Each combination forecast must be successful for the bet to win, with returns reinvested on subsequent selections. The total number of bets in a Combination Forecast Double or Combination Forecast Treble is calculated by multiplying the number of bets in each Combination Forecast together.
Combination Superfecta
A pool bet which involves predicting first, second, third and fourth places in the same race. The selections must finish in any order for the bet to have a return. Should a Superfecta bet have a non-runner, the bet will be void.
Combination Tricast
A bet involving three or more selections in the same race, with any three to finish first, second and third in any order, to give a return. Any three of the four selections must finish in the first 3 places. The return would be £1 multiplied by the Tricast dividend.
The number of bets in a combination tricast is calculated by multiplying the number of selections by it's two preceding numbers e.g. for 4 selections, number of bets is 4 x 3 x 2 = 24.
Combination Trifecta
A pool bet predicting the first, second and third places in the same race. The selections must finish in any order for the bet to have a return. Should a Combination Trifecta bet have a non-runner, the bet will be void.
Correct Weight
Declaration of official finishing positions.
Cowboy
Jockey with little ability.
Cover
Win by more than the points line or spread. If such occurs you have "covered the spread or line".
Daily Double / Extra Double
A bet on the winner of two nominated races at the same meeting.
Dead Heat
Race in which two or more competitors finish exactly even.
Desperate
Compulsive gambler.
Disqualification
Change in order of finish by officials for infraction of the rules. (Often occurs after correct weight has been given)
Dividend
Winnings or odds described in $ terms. Usually displays $ stake.
Double / Round Robin / Two Play Parlay
A bet involving 2 selections in different events. Both selections must be successful for the bet to win, with returns from the first reinvested on the second.
Drift
When the odds on a team, horse or competitor lengthen.
Earn
Practical hold percentage. Bookie's earn
percentage in the bookie's favor.
Edge
An advantage.
Eight-fold / Eight Play Parlay
A bet involving 8 selections in different events. All selections must be successful for the bet to win. Winning returns are reinvested on successive selections.
Eleven-fold / 11 Play Parlay
A bet involving 11 selections in different events. All selections must be successful for the bet to win. Winning returns are reinvested on successive selections.
Equal Favorites
Betting proposition where two or more competitors are equal odds and favorites.
Even Money
Odds of 1 to 1
Exacta
A pool bet involving two selections in the same race, predicting first and second place in the correct order.
Exposure
Amount of money a bookie or punter stand to lose on a bet.
False Favorite
Team, horse or competitor who is favorite despite popular opinion of being outclassed by others in the event.
Favorite
Team, horse or competitor most likely to win as determined by the odds.
Figure
Amount of money owed by or to a bookie.
Field
The group of horses in a race.
First 4 / Quartet
A bet predicting the first, second, third and fourth place finishers of a race in exact order.
Five-fold / Five Play Parlay
A bet involving 5 selections in different events. All selections must be successful for the bet to win. Winning returns are reinvested on successive selections.
Fixed Odds
Unchangeable odds at the time of wager.
Flat Line
Point betting were no half point is added. i.e. 3 flat, if the favorite wins by 3 then bets push.
Fold
(European) When preceded by a number, a fold indicates the number of selections in an accumulator. An 8-fold would be an accumulator with 8 selections, all of which must win for the wager to be successful.
Forecast Betting
A bet on the first and second places in a horse or greyhound race. Forecast dividends are declared after each race, based on starting prices and quoted to a £1 stake.
Form
The performance expected according to how a team, horse or competitor looks on paper.Tabliod used for horse racing.
Four-fold / Four Play Parlay
A bet involving 4 selections in different events. All selections must be successful for the bet to win. Winning returns are reinvested on successive selections.
Fourteen-fold / 14 Play Parlay
A bet involving 14 selections in different events. All selections must be successful for the bet to win. Winning returns are reinvested on successive selections.
Fraction
A calculated form of betting with odds were the bettor obtains an advantage when betting to a specified amount usually in multiples of 1000$ i.e. $160 at 6/1 win 960 becomes 1000.
Furlong
One eighth of a mile.
Goliath
A wager consisting of 247 bets (28 Doubles, 56 Trebles, 70 Four-folds, 56 Five-folds, 28 Six-folds, eight Seven-folds and one Eight-fold) involving 8 selections in different events. Any two winning selections guarantee a return.
Good Thing
A description of a sure winner.
Graded Bet
Refers to a bet that is classified as a win, loss or push after the event concludes.
Grand
$1000
Gross Win
Win before expenses.
Half Face Value
"Half Face Value of Ticket" is paid in a betting proposition when no draw is quoted and two contestants dead heat for first, second or third. (i.e. 100 to win 200 face value of ticket is 300. half face value = 150)
Half Time Result
A wager that involves correctly predicting the result of a game at half time.
Handicap
A method used by bookmakers to make a one sided event become a more attractive betting proposition, also know as a point spread.
Handicapper
Official who determines the weight a horse will carry in a thoroughbred race.
Head To Head
betting odds quoted for a two result betting proposition.
Hedging
Placing bets on the opposite side in order to reduce losses or guarantee a minimum amount of winnings.
Heinz
A wager consisting of 57 bets (15 Doubles, 20 Trebles, 15 Four-folds, six Five-folds and one six-fold) involving six selections in different events. Any two winning selections guarantee a return.
Home Ground Advantage
Advantage the home team is expected to have as a result of familiarity with playing arena and effect of travel.
Hoops
Basketball.
Hot Go
Heavy action on one horse or team.
If Bet
A bet involving two to 12 straight play selections joined by a condition. There are two types:
Index
Form of betting were the amount wagered is multiplied by the number of points a team or competitor wins or loses by.
In The Money
A horse that finishes first, second or third. Description of a winning bet or winning punter.
Inquiry
Reviewing a race or sports event to check into possible rules infraction.
Joint Favorites
see "equal favorites"
Jolly
(European) A favorite.
Knock Taker / Knocky
Punter or bookie who doesn't pay.
Laying It On
Taking a bet at odds on / less than even money.
Layoff
Wager made by one bookie to another to balance his action.
Limit
Maximum bet accepted by the bookie before the price / odds will change. The amount of credit a punter / client is given by a bookie.
Line
The current odds or point spread on a particular event.
Line maker
The person who establishes the original betting odds and point spreads.
Listed Pitcher
Bet placed only if one or both baseball pitchers scheduled to start a game actually start. If they don't the bet is canceled.
Live Betting
Placing bets on a particular game while it is currently being played.
Long shot
A team, horse or competitor that is unlikely to win according to the odds.
Locked In
Committed to a bet. Locked In to a profit ; can't lose a bet no matter what the result.
Lucky 15
A wager consisting of 15 bets (four Singles, six Doubles, four Trebles and one Four-fold) involving four selections in different events. Any one winning selection guarantees a return.
Lucky 31
A wager consisting of 31 bets (five Singles, 10 Doubles, 10 trebles, five Four-folds and one Five-fold) involving five selections in different events. Any one winning selection guarantees a return.
Lucky 63
A wager consisting of 63 bets (six Singles, 15 Doubles, 20 Trebles, 15 Four-folds, six Five-folds and one Six-fold) involving six selections in different events. Any one winning selection guarantees a return.
Mail
A selection of betting tips, opinions and information from a knowledgeable source.
Martingale
A betting strategy where the bettor doubles their wager after each loss to recover the previous loss.
Market
The betting odds or line points spread.
Middle
Betting both sides of the same game with the intention of winning both bets. i.e. betting the favorite team at -1.5 points with one bookmaker and then betting +3.5 points with another bookmaker; the game results ends with the favorite winning by exactly 3 points, you have then "middled the game".
Monkey
$500
Mug
Punter with little ability
MVP
Most Valuable Player.
Nap Bet
Best bet of the day.
Neutral Site
Two teams playing away from home.
Nine-fold / Nine Play Parlay
A bet involving 9 selections in different events. All selections must be successful for the bet to win. Winning returns are reinvested on successive selections.
Not to Win / Lay bet
A bet on a horse to NOT win the race.
Novelty Bet
Refers to wagers placed on unpredictable political and entertainment events.
Odds Against
Odds greater than even money. A bet where your stake is less than the amount you expect to win.
Odds On
Odds of less than even money. A bet where you have to stake more than the amount you expect to profit by.
Oddsmaker
Same as a line maker. The person who establishes the original and subsequent betting lines and odds.
Off The Board
A game on which the bookmaker will not accept action, due to injuries, weather or an unusual amount of large bets.
One Goer / Oney
A insinuation that a winning horse, team or competitor had illegal help to win.
On The Nose
Betting to win only.
Off Track Betting
Betting with legalized outlets away from the race track were the the race is being held.
Outsider
The underdog in a betting proposition.
Over Lay
When the bookmaker has bet over a period of time in favor of the punter and not the house.
Over the Line
Description of a sure bet.
Paper Line
The betting line / odds which quite often appears in the daily newspapers, the lines are only approximate and quite often totally inaccurate and misleading.
Paper Odds
see "Paper Line"
Pari Mutuel
A form of wagering originated in 1865 by Frenchman Pierre Oller in which all money bet is divided up among those who have winning tickets (after taxes, takeout and other deductions are made.) This system was called "parier mutuel" meaning "betting among ourselves".
Past The Post
A description of a sure winner.
Patent
A wager consisting of seven bets (three Singles, three Doubles and one Treble) involving three selections in different events. Any one winning selection guarantees a return. If any one of your selections wins, one of the Single Bets gives a return. If any two selections win, two of the Single Bets and one of the Doubles give a return. If all three selections win, then all three Singles, all three Doubles and the Treble give a return.
Permed Patent
A bet between 4 and 6 selections, with the patent being made up of all the possible combinations of three different selections. A Permed Patent could be 28 bets (four individual patents
Permed Yankee
A bet involving five or six selections in different events; the Yankee bets are made up of the possible combinations of four different selections. Thus, a Permed Yankee has 55 bets (five individual Yankee bets):
| Doubles | Trebles | Four-Folds | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yankee 1 - a,b,c,d | ab,ac,ad,bc,bd,cd | abc,abd,acd,bcd | abcd |
| Yankee 2 - a,b,c,e | ab,ac,ae,bc,be,ce | abc,abe,ace,bce | abce |
| Yankee 3 - a,b,d,e | ab,ae,ad,be,bd,ed | abd,abe,ade,bde | abde |
| Yankee 4 - a,c,d,e | ae,ac,ad,ec,ed,cd | acd,ace,ade,cde | acde |
| Yankee 5 - b,c,d,e | eb,ec,ed,bc,bd,cd | bcd,bce,bde,cde | bcde |
Performance Bets
Form of index betting when an artificial point scale is used to measure the outcome of a sporting event.
Photo
Short for photo finish, a result so close it is necessary to use the finish line camera to determine the order of finish.
Pick / Pick Em'
A game with no favorite, an even match-up.
Pick 6
A bet on the winner of six nominated races.
Player
Bettor, punter, gambler, competitor.
Pony
$25
Pre Post
Odds / Line at the start of a event.
Press
To bet a larger amount that usual.
Price
The odds (line) or point spread.
Pro'
Short for professional.
Protest
An objection lounged against a competitor for infraction of the rules.
Punt
To bet.
Punter
Description given to bettors, gamblers and bookie's clients. The main man.
Push
Tie, neither side wins and all money is returned to the punter except in the case of "half face value of ticket".
Quadrella
A bet on the winner of four nominated races at the same meeting.
Quinella
A single pool bet based on two selections in the same race. The selections can finish 1st and 2nd in any order for the bet to have a return.
Quote
To be given the price on a betting proposition.
Racing Post
A printed guide distributed at racetracks that provides details of the day's events.
Reversed Exacta
Two bets involving two selections in the same race to finish first and second in either order.
Reversed Forecast / RFC
Two bets involving two selections in the same race to finish first and second in either order.
Reversed Forecast Double
A wager consisting of 4 bets - two reversed forecasts across two races. Both reversed forecasts must be successful for the bet to win, with returns from the first reinvested on the second. The following table shows how there are 4 possible winning outcomes to this bet.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Race 1 | a-b | a-b | b-a | b-a |
| Race 2 | c-d | d-c | c-d | d-c |
Any of the above combinations across the 2 races makes the double a winner.
Reversed Forecast Treble
A Reversed Forecast Treble involves 8 individual Trebles across three races. All 3 Reversed Forecasts must be successful for the bet to win, with returns from the first reinvested on the second and then onto the third. The following table shows how there are 8 possible winning outcomes to this bet.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Race 1 | a-b | a-b | b-a | b-a | a-b | a-b | b-a | b-a |
| Race 2 | c-d | d-c | c-d | d-c | c-d | d-c | c-d | d-c |
| Race 3 | e-f | f-e | e-f | f-e | f-e | e-f | f-e | e-f |
Reverse If bet
A wager consisting of two bets involving two to 12 straight play selections joined by conditions. Like a regular If bet, but the chain runs 2 ways, both down the betting slip and up the betting slip making two bets. Both 'Single' and 'Double Action' are available. Wherever there is a loser, the bet stops.
Rotten Egg
Punter who has a history of not paying his debts.
Rundown
Updates of all odds, lines, point spreads and scores.
Runner
One who places bets or gathers betting information for another.
Scalper
One who attempts to make a profit by selling sports event tickets at a higher amount than the official price. The more popular the event the bigger the mark up.
Score
A big betting win.
Scratch
To start from zero.
Scratched
Withdrawn, cancel. A horse is scratched from a race / withdrawn
Second Half Bet
A bet focused solely on the outcome of the second half result of a specific game.
Seven-fold / Seven Play Parlay
A bet involving 7 selections in different events. All selections must be successful for the bet to win. Winning returns are reinvested on successive selections.
Shout
To make a bet.
Showcast
A fixed price Forecast or Tricast, based on early prices or Show from the racecourse. Showcasts are usually available on UK and Irish horses, and Greyhounds only.
Single Bet / Straight Bet
A bet on 1 selection. Your selection must be successful to have a return.
Six-fold / Six Play Parlay
A bet involving six selections in different events. All selections must be successful for the bet to win. Winning returns are reinvested on successive selections.
Smart Money
Money that is bet by the more knowledgeable punters.
Smarty
Established and successful punter.
S.P.
Abbreviation for "starting price". Sometimes referring to an illegal bookmaker i.e. S.P. Bookie
Spread
Abbreviation for point spread
Square
Unsophisticated gambler.
Starting Price
The price / odds of a horse, team or competitor an the start of the event.
Stop Loss
(and stop profit) Used in index betting to seal your calculated loses on a betting proposition. i.e. rugby league stop loss 40
you can only win or lose 40 times your stake.
Straight Forecast / SFC
A bet involving two selections in the same race to finish first and second in the correct order.
Straight Forecast Double
A bet like a standard double, involving two straight forecasts in two races. Both forecasts must be successful for the bet to win, with returns from the first reinvested on the second.
Straight Forecast Treble
A bet similar to a standard treble, involving three straight forecasts across three races. All three forecasts must be successful for the bet to win. Returns from the first are reinvested on the second and then onto the third.
Straight Forecast Patent
A wager consisting of seven bets (three Singles, three Doubles and one Treble), like a standard patent, involving three straight forecasts across three races. Any one winning forecast guarantees a return.
Straight Forecast Yankee
A wager consisting of 11 bets (six Doubles, four Trebles and 1 Four-fold), like a standard Yankee, involving four straight forecasts across four races. Any two winning forecasts guarantee a return.
Straight Tricast / STC
A bet involving 3 selections in the same race to finish first, second and third in the correct order.
Super Heinz
A wager consisting of 120 bets (21 Doubles, 35 Trebles, 35 Four-folds, 21 Five-folds, seven Six-folds and one Seven-fold) involving 7 selections in different events. Any two winning selections guarantee a return.
Super Yankee / Canadian
A wager consisting of 26 bets (10 Doubles, 10 Trebles, five Four-folds and one Five-fold) involving five selections in different events. Any two winning selections guarantee a return.
Superfecta
A pool bet which involves predicting the first, sexond, third and fourth places in the same race. The selections must finish in the exact order for the bet to have a return. Should a Superfecta bet have a non-runner, the bet will be void.
Supremacy Index
Form of index betting revolving around the total number of runs, goals, points, or shots scored or played.
Sucker Bet
Bets with a large house edge.
Take the Price
Taking the fixed odds on offer.
Teaser
A bet involving two or more point spread or game total selections on football and basketball. A fixed number of points are bought or sold on all selections in the teaser. Pay out odds are fixed depending on the number of teams and the number of points bought or sold. All selections must be successful for the bet to win. Buying points is simply changing the handicap and also the potential payout.
Ten-fold / 10 Play Parlay
A bet involving 10 selections in different events. All selections must be successful for the bet to win. Winning returns are reinvested on successive selections.
Thirteen-fold / 13 Play Parlay
A bet involving 13 selections in different events. All selections must be successful for the bet to win. Winning returns are reinvested on successive selections.
Tic Tac
The sign lanuage that was used by bookmakers to relay odds to each other on course.
Tip
Knowledgeable advice as to the probable winner of a event.
Toss Up
see "pick em' "
Tote Jackpot
A betting challenge where the goal is to correctly predict the winners of six consecutive races.
Tote Odds
The dividend converted to odds returned by a pari mutuel betting system.
Total Shake
The total sum of money bet at a specific sportsbook
Totesuper7
A bet on the winners of seven nominated races. A return is also paid for picking seven placed selections in these races. Minimum stake unit is usually £2.
Tout Service
A business that sells opinions and information on sporting events.
Tray
$300
Treble / Three Play Parlay
A bet involving 3 selections in different events. All selections must be successful for the bet to win. Returns from the first are reinvested on the second and then onto the third.
Tricast
A bet on the first, second and third place finishers in a horse or greyhound race. Tricasts are only available on handicap horse races with eight or more runners and featured greyhound race meetings. Dividends are declared after each race, based on starting prices and quoted to a £1 stake.
Trifecta
A pool bet predicting the first, second and third places in the same race. The selections must finish in the exact order for the bet to have a return. Should a Trifecta bet have a non-runner, the bet will be void.
Trixie
A wager consisting of four bets (three Doubles and one Treble) involving three selections in different events. Any two winning selections guarantee a return. If any two of your selections win, one of the Double bets gives a return. If all three of your selections win, all three of the Double Bets and the Treble give a return.
Turn Over
Total amount of bets wagered with a bookie.
Twelve-fold / 12 Play Parlay
A bet involving 12 selections in different events. All selections must be successful for the bet to win. Winning returns are reinvested on successive selections.
Under Dog
The outsider in a betting proposition.
Union Jack
A wager involving 9 selections in different events, written out as follows to form 8 groups of 3:
| 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 4 | 5 | 6 |
| 7 | 8 | 9 |
Each group of 3 can be staked as Trebles, Patents or Trixies. Therefore Union Jack Trebles consist of eight bets from nine selections; Union Jack Patents consist of 56 bets from nine selections; and Union Jack Trixies consist of 32 bets from nine selections.
Bonuses are offered on union jacks, when the selections are horses or greyhounds (not ante-post) or correct scores on soccer. All selections must run at odds of 1/9 or longer for bonuses to apply.
Upping the Ante
The action of placing a larger bet than the usual.
Value
Getting the best odds on a betting proposition; the highest possible edge.
Void Bet
A result where there is no declared winner and the stake is refunded.
Wager
see "bet".
Yankee
A wager consisting of 11 bets (six Doubles, four Trebles and one Four-fold) involving four selections in different events. Any two winning selections guarantee a return. If any two of your selections win, one of the Doubles gives a return. If any three selections win, three of the Double Bets and one of the Trebles give a return. If all four selections win, then all six Doubles, four Trebles and the Four-fold give a return.
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