BASIC TERMS
Moneyline
A bet on which team will win the game outright, regardless of score. No point spread involved. Example: Chiefs -150 means bet $150 to win $100.
Spread (Point Spread)
A handicap given to the underdog. If Chiefs are -7, they must win by more than 7 points for your bet to win. If Bills are +7, they can lose by up to 6 and still "cover."
Over/Under (Total)
A bet on the combined score of both teams. If the total is 47.5, you bet whether the final combined score will be over or under that number.
Parlay
Multiple bets combined into one. All selections must win for the parlay to pay. Higher risk, higher reward. A 3-team parlay might pay 6:1.
Prop Bet (Proposition)
A bet on specific events within a game, not the final outcome. Examples: "Patrick Mahomes over 2.5 passing TDs" or "first player to score."
ODDS & MONEY
American Odds (+/-)
Standard US format. Negative (-150) shows how much to bet to win $100. Positive (+150) shows how much you win on a $100 bet.
Decimal Odds
Common in Latin America. Multiply your stake by the odds to calculate total return. Odds of 2.50 mean a $100 bet returns $250 total ($150 profit).
Juice (Vig/Vigorish)
The sportsbook's commission built into odds. Standard juice is -110 on each side of a spread, meaning you risk $110 to win $100.
Push
When the result lands exactly on the spread. Example: Chiefs -7 and they win by exactly 7. Your bet is refunded.
ADVANCED TERMS
Live Betting (In-Play)
Betting on a game while it's in progress. Odds change continuously based on game flow.
Same-Game Parlay (SGP)
A parlay combining multiple bets from the same game. Example: Chiefs to win + Mahomes over 275 passing yards + game over 48.5.
Futures
Bets on events happening in the future. Examples: Super Bowl winner, MVP award, season win totals.
Hedging
Betting the opposite side of an earlier bet to guarantee profit or minimize loss. Common with futures and parlays.
Sharp vs Square
Sharp = professional bettor with edge. Square = recreational/casual bettor. Lines often move based on sharp action.