Sports Betting Glossary
From A to Z
S
Sell points
An option offered by a sportsbook that allows the bettor to reduce the point spread for an improved price. For example, if the point spread is +6.5 at +170, you can sell an extra point to make the point spread +5.5, and the price will increase to +185.
Special
Another term for a prop bet or exotic bet; these are bets that go beyond a standard game total, point spread, or money line bet, such as a bet on who will score first in a game.
Sportsbook
Another term for a bookmaker; is a licensed individual or organization that takes bets on sporting events.
Spread betting
Commonly confused with point spread betting, spread betting is a prediction of what will happen in a specific market expressed as a sell-buy range. For example, if the spread for goals in a soccer match is 2.75-3, the bookmaker thinks there will be around three goals in the match. If you think there will be more goals, then you buy, but if you think there will be less, you sell. The stake is determined per point movement, so if your stake is $10, you’re given $10 for every goal over the total, and you have to pay $10 for every point under the total.
Staking method
A way to determine how much a bettor should risk on a single bet. Some bettors bet a certain percentage of their bankroll, whereas some set minimum and maximum stake limits.
Steam
A substantial change in a betting line is usually caused by large betting action on one side by sharp bettors.