• Quick definitions of the terms you’ll see in odds, picks, and promos. Use this alongside our NFL Odds Explained, Strategies, and Weekly Picks.
A
Against the Spread (ATS): Result relative to the point spread. “Covering” means beating the spread.
Alternate Line (Alt): A different spread/total with adjusted odds (e.g., Under 43.5 instead of 47.5).
Anytime TD Scorer: Player to score 1+ TD (rush/receive). Correlates with red-zone role and usage.
Arbitrage (Arb): Locking profit by betting both sides at different prices across books. Rare and fragile.
B
Bankroll: Total funds set aside for betting. Bet size = fixed unit (e.g., 1%).
Buying Points: Paying extra vig to move a spread/total in your favor. Usually only worth it near key numbers.
Break-Even %: Win rate required at given odds to not lose money (e.g., −110 ≈ 52.38%).
C
Cash Out: Early settlement at a book’s offered price; often includes hidden vig.
Closed/Closing Line: Final market number before kickoff; benchmark for pricing accuracy.
CLV (Closing Line Value): How your bet compares to the close. Positive CLV over time is a strong edge signal.
Correlation: When outcomes are related (e.g., heavy QB rush plan lowers total).
D
Decimal Odds: Total return per 1 staked (e.g., 1.91 returns 1.91).
Derivative Markets: 1H/2H totals, first to 10, longest FG — often slower to adjust than full game lines.
Dime Line: Reduced juice (e.g., −105/−105). Improves long-term ROI.
E
Edge: Expected value (+EV) from a mispriced market vs your projection.
EV (+EV/−EV): Expected value of a bet; positive means profitable long-term if assumptions hold.
F
Favorite: Team expected to win (minus points on spread, lower ML price).
Futures: Long-term outcomes (e.g., Super Bowl winner, MVP). Limits can be lower than weekly markets.
G
Gamble Responsibly: 18+. Use fixed units, set limits. See our bankroll guide.
H
Handle %: Share of money wagered. Contrast with ticket % (number of bets).
Hook: Half-point on a spread (e.g., +3.5). Often the difference between win/push.
Home-Field Advantage (HFA): Baked into lines; varies by team and travel.
I
Implied Probability: Chance the odds represent (e.g., −110 ≈ 52.38%).
In-Game / Live Betting: Wagering after kickoff with constantly updating odds.
J
Juice (Vig): The bookmaker’s cut embedded in odds. Lower juice boosts ROI.
K
Key Numbers: Common margins (3, 6, 7) driven by scoring increments; shape betting value around hooks.
L
Line Movement: How spreads/totals change as books react to bets/news. Look for reverse line movement.
Limit: Max stake a book accepts on a market.
Live Total: In-game over/under that updates by situation, pace, and score.
M
Moneyline (ML): Bet on the winner only (no spread). Minus = favorite; plus = underdog.
Middling: Holding both sides at different numbers with potential to win both.
N
Neutral Field: Venue without home edge; matters for international games/super bowls.
O
Opening Line: The first widely posted number; often most beatable.
Over/Under (Total): Combined points scored by both teams.
P
Parlay: Multi-leg ticket; payout grows but so does bookmaker edge.
Pick’em (PK): No spread — just choose the winner (ML usually near even money).
Props (Proposition Bets): Player/team/drives/derivative markets not tied to final score.
Push: Tie relative to the spread/total; stake returned.
Q
QL (Quick Line Shop): Habit of checking multiple books before betting. Simple edge multiplier.
R
Reduced Juice: Better vig (e.g., −105), often at certain times/books.
Reverse Line Movement (RLM): Line moves against the public side, indicating sharp action.
ROI: Return on investment; profit divided by total staked.
S
Same-Game Parlay (SGP): Correlated legs in one game; usually carries extra vig.
Sharp Money: High-limit wagers from proven bettors/syndicates.
Spread: Handicap applied to balance teams (favorite minus, dog plus).
Steam Move: Fast, multi-book shift caused by respected action.
T
Teaser: Moves spreads/totals across key numbers for adjusted payout (e.g., 6-point NFL teasers).
Ticket %: Share of individual bets placed. Contrast with handle %.
Totals: See Over/Under.
U
Underdog (Dog): Plus points on spread; higher ML payout.
Unit: Standard bet size (e.g., 1% of bankroll) used to size positions consistently.
V
Vig (Juice): See Juice. Lower is better for long-term ROI.
W
Wong Teaser: 6-point NFL teaser that crosses 3 and 7 (e.g., +1.5 → +7.5; −8.5 → −2.5).
Win Probability: Chance to win a bet or game; used in pricing and live models.
X
xYards / xPoints: “Expected” yardage/points based on success rate & play-by-play (model output).
Y
Yards per Play (YPP): Core efficiency stat; a key live-bet signal.
Z
Zone Coverage: Defenders cover areas, not men; affects WR target splits and QB rushing.
Next Steps
Ready to put the terms to work? See this week’s NFL Picks or review our strategy primer. For Super Bowl markets, start here: Super Bowl Betting Guide.
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