A Rookie’s Guide to Sports Betting Terms

Consider yourself a sports betting rookie? Then you'll want to get clued up on all the lingo before placing a wager for the first time. 

See, there are so many sports phrases to discover when you bet online that y’all need a whole dictionary to understand some of the top terms! 

Fortunately, you're in the right place. At Bally Casino, we're Big on Entertainment. And it doesn't get more entertaining that live sports, which means we're really big on sports! So you can bet we've got you covered with all our sporting know-how right here.

Just take a look at our list of the top sports betting terms below to get started.

Accumulator 

One of the most popular types of sports bets around. Add four or more picks to create an accumulator bet, but they all have to win, otherwise it loses.

Against the spread 

Fans of American Football will have heard this one. The spread is a handicap, so you can take a team to cover the spread instead of betting on a winner. Say the spread is +6.5 points, your selection must lose by 6.5 points or less for the wager to win. 

Back in the U.S., we like to shorten ‘against the spread’ to ATS. In fact, we've written a blog about our top American sports acronyms, including INT and FUM. Check it out to get clued up on their meanings.

Ante post 

Thought you only get types of bets available on the day? Nuh uh. Ante post markets allow wagers on events in the future. 

Big fan of horse racing? There are betting markets for events including the Grand National and the Cheltenham Gold Cup almost a year in advance! So y'all can start backing your favourites before the big event. 

But be wary with ante post wagers, as they'll be settled as a loser if the participant doesn't turn up on the day. Unless you have non-runner no bet, of course. Stay tuned for more on that.

Back 

Simple - to back something means to place a wager on it. Got a hunch about the big football match? Back it and see if it lands.

Banker 

When you bet on sports, a banker is a heavy favourite. It doesn't seem likely that this bet will lose, but sometimes in sports events, the impossible does happen, folks.

Bankroll 

Setting a bankroll is super important for online sports betting. This is the amount of money you set aside to play with. Check out all our responsible gambling tools and manage your budget with deposit limits.

Betting without 

Want to take one of the participants out of the running? Use with the ‘betting without’ market, so any wagers are settled as if they were never there.

Dead heat 

A dead heat takes place at the end of a race, when at least two participants cross the line at the same time. You'll be paid out at half the original odds, so 8/1 becomes 4/1, for example.

Double 

Add two picks to your slip to create a double. Both selections have to win or this multiple bet loses.

Each way 

Fancy something to finish in the money? Each way bets involve two different wagers - win only and place only. You can still make a profit if the selection places, but if it wins, you get the full payout.

Favourite 

The choice with the lowest betting odds in the market, so it's the most likely to win the event.

Handicap 

Another sports bet designed to level the playing field. Handicaps can be applied to one of the teams involved to give them an equal chance of winning. This could be points in rugby, or goals in football. 

Disagree with the handicap on offer? Don't sweat it, you can place alternative handicaps to trust your instincts!

In-play 

In-play markets are becoming more popular on sports betting websites, as players want to place bets in real time while watching their favourite sports. 

At Bally Casino we have live betting on football, cricket, golf and much more. Jump in and see all we have to offer.

Lock 

A lock is pretty much the same as a ‘banker’. This is the term we use on the other side of the pond for something we see as an almost guaranteed win.

Longshot 

Want to try and take on the favourite? Go for a longshot and try to get the market leader beaten! 

Longshots have much bigger odds, so less chance of winning on the books. But you never know when watching live sports, which is part of the thrill!

Lucky 15 

Another of the most-placed multiple wagers for those who bet on sports in the UK. 

Lucky 15s feature four selections and make up 15 bets - four singles, six doubles, four trebles and a four-fold accumulator. Only one of the picks has to win to bank a payout.

Nap 

Don't sleep on this type of bet - a nap could be someone's best bet of the day. 

The term comes from a French card game called Napoleon, where players would call “NAPoleon” if they felt confident. Sports betting is packed with a surprising amount of history!

Non-runner no bet 

Remember we said ante post stakes are settled as losers if your bet doesn't turn up? Place a wager on any market with ‘non-runner no bet’ listed, and your bet is returned if the runner doesn’t feature in the event.

On the nose 

This refers to a win-only bet. The term ‘On the nose’ was taken from early radio commentary on boxing matches, as the nose is an obvious target. Who'd have thought that?!

Outright 

Outright betting offers the chance to wager on a whole competition instead of single games. These bets don’t have to be placed before the competition starts, so you can get involved whenever you feel like it.

Price 

The odds offered on any betting option are also known as prices. This could be fractional odds or decimal odds, or even American odds! At Bally Casino, y’all can enjoy all three. Find out more on our Ultimate Bally Sports Betting Guide.

Score 

Nope – this isn't referring to the result of a match. A score is a £20 wager on sports betting in the UK.

Single

Bet on the outcome of one particular event. This could be a horse race, a game of rugby or anything you fancy.  

Starting price 

You'll mostly notice this in our horse racing markets. The starting price, or SP , is the final odds of something when an event begins. 

There's even an option to take the SP hours before the off. Particularly useful if you think the odds will increase.

Treble 

Go one step further than a double. A treble involves – you guessed it – three selections. No prizes for working out they all have to win, too.

Trixie 

Got a treble lined up and not completely confident they'll all land? A trixie is a great alternative bet for y'all. This places three doubles and a treble, so you're covered if only two selections hit.

Underdog 

Everyone loves an underdog. Select the team or individual with the biggest odds in a straight match-up, and if they pull off the upset then you'll land a nice price.

Unit 

A unit is the standard stake placed on any sports betting market, based on confidence. One unit is the base level, so a three-unit wager would suggest you like your chances.

Void 

If the selection or event doesn't take place, bets will be made void. Horse pulled out on the day of the race? It's a non-runner and void. Game postponed on your accumulator due to weather? Same deal, folks.

If a single wager is made void all bets will be returned, while any on multiples will have the remaining odds adjusted based on other picks.

Now you're up to speed with the latest sports lingo, experience the thrill of betting on sports at Bally Casino and get involved with our in-play markets today. 

Head on over to our blog to find out all about our incredible rewards, plus tips and guides for playing with us!