BetMagic Sports Betting Glossary

Feeling lost in sports betting speak? Sharpen your understanding with our comprehensive glossary. Then, make every bet count with BetMagic’s live game insights and analytics.

Accumulator Bet (Acca)

An Accumulator Bet, or Acca, is a single bet that links together two or more individual wagers and is dependent on all those wagers winning together. For example, you might bet on four different football teams to win in one Acca bet. All four teams need to win for your bet to pay out.

Against the Spread (ATS)

Betting ‘Against the Spread’ involves picking a winner against a set point spread. The team wagered on must win by a certain number of points or keep the game within a specified number of points. For instance, if a team is favored by 7 points, they need to win by more than 7 for an ATS bet on them to win.

Arbitrage Betting

Arbitrage Betting involves placing bets on all possible outcomes of an event at odds that guarantee profit, regardless of the event’s outcome. This is typically done through different bookmakers. For example, if one bookie offers higher odds for a win, and another for a loss, a bettor can wager on both and ensure some profit.

Bankroll Management

Bankroll Management is a strategic method of managing your betting funds to minimize risk and optimize profit potential. For example, a common strategy is to only bet a small percentage of your total bankroll on a single bet to avoid significant losses.

Betting Exchange

A Betting Exchange is a marketplace where users bet against each other rather than against a bookmaker. Prices are determined by supply and demand. For instance, you can offer odds for a bet and another user can match it, similar to trading stocks.

Betting Market

The Betting Market refers to the different types of bets available for a particular event. This includes various bet forms like moneyline, point spread, and over/under. For example, in a football game, you might have betting markets for the final score, first goal scorer, or total corners.

Bookmaker (Bookie)

A Bookmaker, or Bookie, is an organization or person that accepts and pays off bets on sporting and other events at agreed-upon odds. For instance, a bookie sets odds for various outcomes in a sports event, and bettors place wagers with them based on these odds.

Cash-Out

Cash-Out is a feature offered by bookmakers where you can settle a bet before the event has finished. This can be used to lock in a profit or cut losses. For example, if you’ve bet on a team to win and they’re leading but you’re unsure they’ll hold on, you can cash out early for reduced winnings.

Closing Line

The Closing Line refers to the final betting line before the start of a game. Many professional bettors compare the closing line to the lines at which they placed their bets to assess their skill in predicting line movements. In live betting, the closing line can serve as a reference point for how odds shift as the game progresses.

Decimal Odds

Decimal Odds represent the total payout rather than profit, where the stake is included in the payout. For example, odds of 3.00 mean that for every $1 bet, the total return is $3. This format is common in Europe and Canada.

Double Chance Bet

A Double Chance Bet allows you to cover two of the three possible outcomes in a game with one bet. For instance, in soccer, you can bet on either Team A to win or draw, covering two outcomes. It reduces risk but also offers lower odds.

Edge in Betting

Having an ‘Edge’ in betting means you have a perceived advantage over the bookmaker or other bettors. For example, if you have access to information that may affect the game but is not yet public, this knowledge gives you an edge.

Expected Value (EV)

Expected Value in betting is the measure of what a bettor can expect to win or lose per bet placed over time. Positive EV indicates long-term profit, while negative EV suggests losses. For example, a bet with a 5% positive EV should earn $5 for every $100 wagered over time.

Fractional Odds

Fractional Odds show the potential profit relative to the stake, common in the UK and Ireland. For instance, 5/1 odds mean you win $5 for every $1 bet, plus your initial stake back.

Futures Bet

A Futures Bet is a wager on an event or outcome that will be determined in the future, like betting on a team to win the championship at the start of the season. These bets often have higher potential payouts due to the long-term nature and unpredictability.

Handicap Betting

Handicap Betting involves giving one selection a virtual deficit (or advantage) to overcome at the start of the event. For example, in a football match, the favorite might start with a -1 goal handicap, meaning they need to win by more than one goal for the bet to win.

Hedge Betting

Hedge Betting is placing bets on different outcomes of the same event to ensure some level of profit regardless of the result. For example, if you bet on a team to win a tournament at high odds and they reach the final, you might bet against them in the final to guarantee a return.

In-Play/Live Betting

In-Play or Live Betting allows bettors to place bets on a sporting event as it unfolds, with odds that change in real-time. For example, you might bet on a soccer team to win after the game has started, with odds adjusting as goals are scored. BetMagic specializes in this area, offering advanced live betting analytics and picks, helping bettors make informed decisions during the game.

Juice (Vig or Vigorish)

Juice, also known as Vig or Vigorish, is the commission a sportsbook takes on bets, essential for understanding the betting market’s dynamics. For instance, in a bet where you stake $110 to win $100, the extra $10 is the juice. It’s a key concept to understand for making informed betting decisions, especially when analyzing odds for value.

Kelly Criterion

The Kelly Criterion is a mathematical formula to determine optimal bet sizes based on your bankroll and the perceived odds of winning. It’s used to maximize bankroll growth over time. For example, if the Kelly percentage is 0.05, then you should bet 5% of your bankroll on that wager. Understanding this concept can aid in effective bankroll management, a crucial aspect of successful betting.

Lay Betting

Lay Betting is betting against a particular outcome, commonly used in betting exchanges. For example, laying a horse in a race means betting on it not to win. This type of bet requires insight into likely outcomes, where platforms like BetMagic can provide valuable data and analytics to make more informed choices.

Line Shopping

Line Shopping involves comparing betting lines offered by different sportsbooks to find the most favorable odds for a wager. This practice is crucial in maximizing potential returns from bets. With live betting, rapid line shopping is key as odds can fluctuate significantly during the game.

Moneyline Bet

A Moneyline Bet is a straight-up bet on which team or player will win an event. For example, betting on a tennis player to win a match, with odds representing their likelihood of winning. Understanding Moneyline bets is fundamental for all types of bettors, from beginners to those using sophisticated platforms for analytics and decision-making.

Odds Compiler

An Odds Compiler, or oddsmaker, sets the initial betting odds for sports events based on various factors including team stats, recent performance, and public sentiment. They play a key role in shaping the betting landscape. Understanding how odds are set can help bettors, especially when using analytical tools to find betting value.

Oddsmaker

An Oddsmaker is a professional who sets betting lines and odds based on calculations of various outcomes in a sports event. They consider numerous factors, including team strengths, historical data, and public betting trends. Understanding oddsmaker logic can be an asset in live game betting.

Over/Under (Totals) Betting

Over/Under Betting involves betting on whether the total score in a game will be over or under a pre-set number. For example, if the over/under for a basketball game is 220.5, you bet on whether the combined score will be higher or lower. BetMagic excels in providing live analytics for Over/Under betting, helping users make precise decisions on live game totals.

Parlay Bet

A Parlay Bet combines multiple bets into one, requiring all bets to win for the parlay to pay out. It’s high risk, high reward. For example, combining bets on several football games into one parlay could lead to a significant payout if all picks win. Bettors often use analytics platforms to assess the potential of each pick within the parlay.

Point Spread

The Point Spread is a handicap placed on one team for betting purposes to level the playing field between two unevenly matched teams. For example, if Team A has a spread of -5.5 against Team B, they need to win by more than 5.5 points for a bet on them to succeed. BetMagic’s analytics can help bettors understand and exploit these spreads in live scenarios.

Proposition Bet (Prop Bet)

A Proposition Bet (Prop Bet) is a wager on specific events within a game that are not directly related to the final outcome. Examples include betting on which player will score first or how many three-pointers will be made in a basketball game. Prop bets require a deep understanding of the game’s nuances, an area where BetMagic’s insights can provide an edge.

Puck Line

The Puck Line is a point spread betting option in hockey, typically set at 1.5 goals. Betting on the favorite requires them to win by more than 1.5 goals, while betting on the underdog means they must win outright or lose by no more than 1 goal. This form of betting offers a mix of Moneyline and point spread betting elements.

Push

A Push occurs in sports betting when the result of a wager ends exactly on the line offered by the sportsbook, leading to a refund of the bet. For example, if the total in a game is set at 50 and the final score equals exactly 50, bets on either side of the over/under are returned. Understanding this concept is crucial when assessing betting strategies and outcomes.

Return on Investment (ROI)

Return on Investment (ROI) in betting measures profitability over time. It’s calculated by dividing the net profit by the total amount of money wagered. For instance, if you’ve won $300 from $1000 worth of bets, your ROI is 30%. BetMagic’s analytics can help bettors make informed decisions to potentially increase their ROI.

Runner

A Runner is someone who places bets on behalf of another person, often used in scenarios where large bets might impact the market or in locations where one party cannot physically place the bet. This term has less relevance in the era of online betting platforms.

Sharp

A Sharp is an experienced, professional bettor who typically wins more than the average recreational bettor. Sharps often have sophisticated strategies and deep knowledge of the sports they bet on. They are keenly aware of odds movements and use platforms like BetMagic for data-driven betting decisions.

Sports Trading

Sports Trading involves buying and selling bets on a betting exchange, much like trading stocks. Traders look to profit from price movements in the betting market, often by trading in-play or live bets based on how they predict odds will move during a game.

Stake

The Stake is the amount of money placed on a bet. Effective stake management is crucial for long-term betting success, and it involves determining how much to wager on each bet relative to one’s total betting budget or bankroll.

Teaser Bet

A Teaser Bet is a type of parlay bet where the bettor can adjust the point spread or totals line in their favor on multiple games. However, all selections must win for the bet to pay out, and the reduced risk typically results in lower odds. For instance, if you’re betting on two football games, you could add 6 points to each spread in your favor.

Underdog

The Underdog is the team or individual considered less likely to win a sporting event. Betting on the underdog usually offers higher potential returns due to the perceived risk. In live game betting, savvy bettors often look for scenarios where the underdog may outperform market expectations.

Value Bet

A Value Bet occurs when a bettor believes that the odds of a particular outcome are more favorable than what the bookmakers have set. This type of bet suggests that the bettor has insight or analysis indicating a different outcome than the odds suggest. For live game betting, identifying value bets requires quick analysis as game conditions change.

Wager

A Wager is essentially a bet or the act of betting. It’s the amount of money placed on the outcome of a sporting event. Wagers can range from simple win/lose bets to more complex bets involving points and spreads. In live game betting, wagers need to be made quickly as odds change rapidly during the event.

Yield in Betting

Yield in sports betting measures the efficiency of a bettor’s betting strategy, calculated as the net profits divided by the total amount staked. A positive yield indicates a successful betting strategy over time. It’s a key metric for evaluating the effectiveness of live betting decisions.