Every betting term you'll encounter, explained in plain English. Bookmark this page — we add new terms regularly.
A single bet combining multiple selections; all must win for the bet to pay out. See our full singles vs accas guide.
Betting all outcomes of an event across different bookmakers to guarantee a profit regardless of result, exploiting pricing differences.
A bet placed well before an event, typically in horse racing, often at better odds but with no refund if your selection withdraws.
A football betting market that removes the draw by giving one team a virtual goal advantage or disadvantage.
The total amount of money set aside specifically for betting, separate from day-to-day finances.
A staking strategy for sizing bets relative to your bankroll to survive losing streaks. See our full guide.
A market betting on whether both teams will score at least one goal during a match.
A company or individual that accepts and pays out bets at set odds.
A feature allowing you to settle a bet before the event ends, locking in a profit or reducing a loss.
The final odds available right before an event starts — often used as a benchmark for assessing bet quality (Closing Line Value).
A market betting on the exact final score of a match.
A measure of whether you beat the closing odds — consistently positive CLV is a strong indicator of long-term betting skill.
An odds format showing total return per unit staked. See our decimal odds guide.
A market covering two of three possible 1X2 outcomes in a single bet.
A market where your stake is refunded if the match ends in a draw, removing draw risk entirely.
A bet split into two parts: one on the selection to win, one on it to place. Common in horse racing and golf.
A bettor's advantage over the bookmaker's priced probability — the basis for long-term profitability.
The average outcome of a bet if repeated many times, accounting for both probability and payout.
A betting platform (e.g. Betfair) where users bet against each other rather than against the house, with the operator taking a commission.
The outcome considered most likely to occur, carrying the lowest odds.
The traditional UK odds format, e.g. 5/2. See our fractional odds guide.
Long-term bets on outcomes decided well in the future, such as league or tournament winners.
A market that adjusts the effective starting position of competitors to balance perceived ability differences.
Placing a bet on the opposite outcome of an existing position to reduce risk or guarantee a smaller profit.
An Asian odds format showing pure profit per unit staked. See our Hong Kong odds guide.
The percentage chance of an outcome as derived from its odds. See our full explainer.
Betting on an event after it has already started, with odds updating in real time.
A Southeast Asian odds format similar to American odds divided by 100. See our guide.
A mathematical staking formula that calculates optimal bet size based on your edge and the available odds.
The set of odds and/or handicap offered on a particular market.
Comparing odds for the same bet across multiple bookmakers to secure the best available price.
The amount a bookmaker stands to pay out if a specific outcome occurs.
A signed Southeast Asian odds format ranging from -1 to +1. See our Malay odds guide.
The built-in profit edge a bookmaker prices into a market. See our full explainer.
Using free bets and promotions alongside exchange lay bets to generate guaranteed risk-free profit.
A straight win/lose bet with no point spread, common in American sports betting.
Another term for an accumulator — a bet combining several selections.
Odds shorter than even money (e.g. fractional 1/3), indicating an outcome considered more likely than not.
A bet on the overall winner of a competition or tournament, placed before or during the event.
A market betting on whether a statistic will be above or below a set line.
See Margin.
The American term for an accumulator — a single bet combining multiple legs.
A point spread market with a line of exactly zero — neither team is favoured.
A handicap market common in American sports, requiring the favourite to win by more than the spread.
A bet on a specific occurrence within an event rather than the overall outcome, e.g. player statistics.
A bet that results in a stake refund because the outcome landed exactly on the handicap or total line.
The specific outcome a bettor has chosen to back within a market.
Highly skilled, informed bettors (or their wagers) often tracked by bookmakers as a signal of true value.
See Point Spread.
The amount of money placed on a bet.
A rapid, widespread odds movement across multiple bookmakers, usually triggered by sharp betting action.
An American football/basketball bet that adjusts point spreads in your favour across multiple legs, in exchange for reduced odds.
See Over/Under.
A bet type consisting of three selections combined into four bets: three doubles and one treble.
A bet where your estimated true probability exceeds the bookmaker's implied probability. See our value betting guide.
American slang for bookmaker margin — the house's built-in cut.
A bet cancelled and refunded due to circumstances preventing fair settlement (e.g. abandoned match).
Another word for a bet.
The number of times a bonus amount must be bet through before it can be withdrawn as cash.
A simple market betting purely on which competitor or team wins, without a handicap or draw option.