A Beginner's Guide to Sports Betting

Sports betting can be a thrilling and fun experience for many, but it can also be daunting for beginners who are unfamiliar with the various jargon used in the industry. In this guide, we will walk you through some of the most common sports betting terms to help you navigate the world of sports betting with security.

Bankroll: A bankroll is the total of money you have set aside specifically for sports betting. It's essential to keep your bankroll separate from your everyday funds to avoid any financial difficulties.

Bet: A bet is a wager placed on the outcome of a sporting event. This can be a individual bet, multiple bets, or even a combination of either.

ATS: Against the spread, also known as ATS, refers to a bet placed on a team to cover a point spread rather than win the game straight.

For example, if the Kansas City Chiefs are playing the Los Angeles Rams and the point spread is set at 7 points, a bet placed on the Chiefs ATS means they need to win the game by at least 8 points.

Buy Point: A buy point is a betting system where the punter increases their wager on a team they believe will win, in the hopes of increasing the point spread. This can be particularly useful when a team is expected to lose by a close margin.

Cover: A team that covers the point spread is said to have defeated the spread. Conversely, if a team loses by more points than the spread, they fail to cover and the opposing team wins the bet.

Futures: A future bet is a wager placed on the outcome of a future event, such as a title game or the Super Bowl. Although futures bets can be made at any time, it's best to place them early in the season to get the best payouts.

Handicap: A handicap is a point spread or advantage given to a weaker team to level the playing field between two teams of different abilities.

Handicap Betting: Handicap betting is a type of bet where a team is given a handicap, such as an extra point or field position, to compensate for their weakness disadvantage.

Hedge: A hedge is a bet placed on the opposite outcome of your initial bet, with the intention of reducing potential withdrawals.

Moneyline: A moneyline bet is a wager placed on a team to win a game outright, not counting the point spread.

NPV (Net Potential Value): NPV is the expected return on investment for a bet, taking into account the potential winnings, the risk, and the probability of success.

Odd or Even: An odd or even bet involves betting on whether the total points scored in a game will be an even number.

Over/Under: Also known as total points, this bet involves wagering on whether the combined points scored by both teams will be over or under a set number.

Parlay: A parlay involves placing a single bet that covers multiple games or events, with the payout increasing as the number of events increases.

Point Spread: The point spread is the number of points a favorite team is expected to win by. It's usually expressed as a handicap.

Push: A push occurs when a team wins by the exact number of points set in the point spread, resulting in both teams emerging victorious but neither gaining a victory.

Selection: A selection is a single bet placed on an single event.

Sportsbook: A sportsbook is a betting firm or online platform that accepts sports betting stakes.

Teaser: A teaser is a type of parlay bet, where the player can adjust the point spread by a specified number, such as 5 points, in an attempt to increase their chances of gaining.

Underdog: An underdog is a team that is expected to lose in a betting situation, given the point spread.

Value Bet: A value bet is a wager that has a positive expected return, considering the odds offered and the team's chances of gaining.

Prop Bet: A prop bet, or proposition bet, is a bet placed on specific aspects of the game, such as the number of touchdowns scored by a particular player, بت rather than the outcome of the game.

That's the rundown of the crucial sports betting terms to get you started. While it may take some time to become comfortable with all of the terms, this guide provides a solid foundation for any beginner in the world of sports betting.