Glossary

Action: Any type of bet or wager that is currently “live.”
Bankroll: The total amount of money a bettor has set aside specifically for wagering.
Chalk: The heavy favorite in a game or tournament.
Cover: When a favorite wins by more than the point spread, or an underdog loses by less than the spread.
Edge: A statistical advantage a bettor has over the sportsbook/bookmaker.
Juice / Vig (Vigorish): The commission charged by the sportsbook for taking a bet.
Line: The current odds or point spread offered by a sportsbook.
Opening Line: The first set of odds released for a specific game or event.
Pick’em (PK): A game where there is no favorite or underdog; the point spread is zero.
Sharp: A professional or highly sophisticated bettor who uses data and models.
Unit: A standard measure used to track profit/loss, usually representing a fixed percentage of a bettor’s bankroll (e.g., 1%).

Moneyline: A bet on which team will win the game outright, regardless of the score margin.
Point Spread: A handicap set by oddsmakers to level the playing field between two teams.
Totals (Over/Under): A bet on whether the combined score of both teams will be higher or lower than a set number.
Parlay: A single bet that links together two or more individual wagers; all must win for the parlay to pay out.
Prop Bet (Proposition): A bet on a specific event within a game (e.g., a player to score a certain number of points).
Futures: Bets placed on events that will happen in the future, such as who will win the Championship.
Live Betting: Wagers placed while a game is already in progress.
Teaser: A type of parlay where the bettor can adjust the point spread or totals in their favor in exchange for a lower payout.

Defensive Efficiency: A metric measuring how many points a team allows per 100 possessions.
Load Management: The practice of resting healthy star players to prevent injury or fatigue.
Pace of Play: The number of possessions a team averages per 48 minutes.
Usage Rate (USG%): An estimate of the percentage of team plays a player “uses” while on the floor.
True Shooting Percentage (TS%): A measure of shooting efficiency that includes 2-point field goals, 3-point field goals, and free throws.

DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average): A complex metric that breaks down every single play and compares a team’s performance to the league average based on situation and opponent.
Red Zone Efficiency: How often a team scores a touchdown when they reach the opponent’s 20-yard line.
Yards Per Play: The average number of yards a team gains on every offensive snap.
ATS (Against The Spread): A record of how often a team covers the point spread.

Bullpen ERA: The earned run average of a team’s relief pitchers.
Run Line: The MLB version of a point spread, almost always set at +/- 1.5 runs.
WHIP (Walks plus Hits per Innings Pitched): A measurement of how many baserunners a pitcher allows.
Batter vs. Pitcher (BvP): Historical data showing how a specific hitter performs against a specific pitcher.

Puckline: The hockey point spread, typically set at +/- 1.5 goals.
Save Percentage (SV%): The percentage of shots on goal that a goalie stops.
Power Play Efficiency: The rate at which a team scores when they have a man advantage due to an opponent’s penalty.
Grand Salami: A bet on the total number of goals scored in all games played on a specific day.

Prediction Model: An algorithm or mathematical formula used to forecast the outcome of games based on historical data.
Slate: The full schedule of games happening on a particular day (e.g., “The Friday MLB Slate”).
Expert Pick: A selection made by professional analysts based on deep-dive research.
Data-Driven: An approach to betting that relies on statistics and objective facts rather than intuition or “gut feeling.”[1]
Consensus: The general agreement among experts or the betting public on a particular outcome.