Sports odds come with their own vocabulary. This glossary explains 40 of the most common terms in plain English. Many link to deeper guides if you want to learn more. Practicing with free play-money picks on MockSport is a good way to see these terms in action.
A to C
1. Against the spread (ATS) A result measured relative to the point spread rather than the final score. A team can lose the game but win ATS. See point spreads explained.
2. American odds Odds with a plus or minus sign, like -150 or +130. See American odds explained.
3. Bankroll The total amount set aside for making picks. See bankroll management.
4. Book / bookmaker A company or person that sets odds and accepts wagers.
5. Chalk The favorite. "Picking chalk" means picking favorites.
6. Closing line The final price before a game starts. See what is the closing line.
7. Closing line value (CLV) How the price you got compares with the closing line. Better prices than the close suggest good judgment.
8. Cover To win against the spread. A favorite covers by winning by more than the spread. An underdog covers by winning or losing by less.
D to H
9. Decimal odds Odds expressed as a multiplier of your stake, like 2.50. See decimal odds explained.
10. Dog (underdog) The side expected to lose. Underdogs pay more. See favorites vs underdogs.
11. Double chance A soccer market covering two of three outcomes, like home win or draw.
12. Edge An advantage over the market's price, where your estimated probability is higher than the implied probability.
13. Even money A price where you win the same amount you risk: +100, 2.00 or 1/1.
14. Expected value (EV) The average result you'd expect from a pick over many repetitions. See value betting.
15. Favorite The side expected to win, shown with a minus sign in American odds.
16. Fractional odds Odds like 5/2, showing profit relative to stake. See fractional odds explained.
17. Futures Picks on long-term outcomes like championships. See championship odds explained.
18. Handicap Another word for a spread, used especially in soccer (Asian handicap).
19. Hook The half point on a spread or total, like the .5 in -3.5. It prevents pushes.
I to O
20. Implied probability The win chance a price suggests. -150 implies 60%. See implied probability.
21. Juice Another word for the vig, the house's margin built into prices.
22. Key numbers Common margins of victory, especially 3 and 7 in American football.
23. Line The current odds or spread on a game.
24. Line movement Changes in odds over time. See why betting lines move.
25. Live betting (in-game) Picks made while a game is in progress. See how live games change win probability.
26. Lock A pick someone claims is certain. There's no such thing.
27. Moneyline A pick on who wins outright. See moneyline bets.
28. Odds-on A price shorter than even money, where you win less than you stake.
29. Over/under A pick on whether the combined score goes over or under a number. See over/under totals.
30. Overround The total implied probability of a market above 100%. It reflects the house margin.
P to Z
31. Parlay Multiple picks combined into one. All must win. See parlays explained.
32. Pick'em A game with no favorite, or a contest where you pick winners of many games. See Pick'em strategy.
33. Prop (proposition) A pick on something other than the final result, like a player's points or yards.
34. Puck line / run line The spread in hockey and baseball, usually 1.5 goals or runs.
35. Push A tie against the spread or total. Stakes are returned.
36. Sharp A bettor considered skilled and successful. "Sharp money" is money from such people.
37. Square / public Casual bettors. "Public money" often refers to picks from casual fans.
38. Steam A sudden, sharp line move across the market.
39. Unit A standard stake size, often a percentage of bankroll, used to track results.
40. Vig (vigorish) The house margin built into prices. See what is the vig.
A few bonus terms
- Backdoor cover: a late, often meaningless score that changes the spread result.
- Bad beat: a pick that looked like a winner until a late twist.
- Hedge: making a second pick to reduce risk from the first.
- Teaser: a parlay where you adjust spreads in your favor in exchange for a lower payout.
Worked example using the terms
A listing reads: "Home -3.5 (-110), Total 44.5, Home ML -180."
- Spread: Home must win by 4+ to cover. The hook (.5) prevents a push.
- Price: -110 means risk 110 to win 100. The juice builds in the house margin.
- Total: 44.5 means you pick over (45+) or under (44 or fewer).
- Moneyline: -180 implies 180 ÷ 280 = 64.3% implied probability. Home is the favorite, or chalk.
Learn the language by playing
The fastest way to absorb these terms is to use them. On MockSport you can make free play-money picks on spreads, totals and moneylines, build parlays and follow live games. Explore the learn hub or browse the odds page.
FAQ
What does ATS mean?
ATS means "against the spread." It measures results relative to the point spread rather than the final score.
What is the difference between vig and juice?
There's no difference. Both refer to the house margin built into betting prices.
What does push mean?
A push is a tie against the spread or total. Stakes are returned and nobody wins.