| Bad Beat |
A painful loss where a bet seemed certain to win but lost due to an extremely unlikely or last-second event (e.g., a “garbage time” touchdown). |
| Beard |
A person who places a bet for another individual to hide the true identity of the bettor (often used by sharps who face betting limits). |
| Circled Game |
A game with betting restrictions or lower limits, often due to high uncertainty factors like critical injuries, severe weather, or internal issues. |
| Cover |
When a team successfully beats the point spread, either as the favorite or the underdog. |
| Future Bet |
A wager placed on an event that will happen later in the season or off-season, such as betting on the Super Bowl winner or the regular-season MVP. |
| Halftime Bet |
A straight bet placed only on the outcome of the second half of a game. |
| Hedge |
Placing a second bet opposite to your original wager (often in a parlay or future bet) to lock in a profit or reduce potential loss. |
| Hook |
The half-point (.5) added to a spread or total to eliminate the possibility of a Push (tie). For example, a spread of 7.5 instead of 7. |
| Key Number |
Common margins of victory in the NFL, such as 3, 7, and 10, that are crucial when betting spreads or teasers. |
| Lock |
A term used by bettors for a wager they believe is a guaranteed winner, though no such bet truly exists. |
| Longshot |
An extreme Underdog with very high positive odds and a low perceived chance of winning. |
| Middle |
An advanced technique where a bettor wins both sides of a wager due to favorable line movement, though it is rare. |
| Off the Board |
When a game is completely removed from betting options by a sportsbook, usually due to major, last-minute uncertainty. |
| Parlay |
A single bet that combines two or more wagers; all wagers must win for the parlay to payout, which multiplies the odds for a high return. |
| Prop Bet (Proposition) |
A wager on a specific outcome within a game that does not depend on the final score, such as a player’s passing yards or the first team to score. |
| Push |
A tie; when the game result exactly matches the spread or total, resulting in the stake being refundedto the bettor. |
| Sharp |
A slang term for a professional, highly skilled, and knowledgeable bettor. |
| Steam Move |
A rapid, sudden shift in a betting line caused by a large, concentrated volume of bets, often indicating a move by sharp bettors. |
| Straight Bet |
A single wager on one outcome (Moneyline, Spread, or Total) as opposed to a parlay. |
| Teaser |
A Parlay that allows the bettor to adjust the point spread or total in their favor (e.g., adding 6 points) in exchange for reduced payout odds. |
| Wise Guy |
Another common term for a Sharp bettor. |
