Knowledge Base
Glossary
Plain-English definitions for the terminology used across Fan Strategy.
- Bankroll
- Your Bankroll is the total amount of money you have set aside for placing bets.
- Bonus
- A Bonus is extra funds or free bets offered by a sportsbook, usually with conditions attached.
- Bookmaker
- A Bookmaker is the person or company that sets the odds and accepts bets.
- Cash Out
- Cash Out lets you settle a bet before the match ends, locking in a profit or cutting a loss.
- Closing Line
- The Closing Line is the final set of odds offered before a match starts.
- Fade
- To Fade means to bet against a team or player, often because you think the public is overvaluing them.
- Free Bet
- A Free Bet is a bet you can place without using your own money, with any winnings usually returned to your account.
- Handicap
- A Handicap gives one team a virtual advantage or disadvantage to balance the betting odds.
- Juice
- Juice is the commission the sportsbook charges for taking your bet, usually built into the odds.
- Limit
- A Limit is the maximum amount a sportsbook will accept on a particular bet.
- Live Betting
- Live Betting allows you to place bets on a match while it is happening, with odds that change during the game.
- Moneyline
- A Moneyline bet is a wager on which team will win the match outright, without any point spread.
- Odds
- Odds tell you how much money you can win if your bet wins, compared to how much you stake.
- Odds Boost
- An Odds Boost is a promotion that increases the payout odds on a specific bet, giving you a higher potential return.
- Over/Under
- An Over/Under bet is a wager on whether the total number of goals or points scored in a match will be higher or lower than a set number.
- Parlay
- A Parlay combines multiple bets into one, and all selections must win for the parlay to pay out.
- Payout
- A Payout is the total amount of money you receive when a bet wins, including your original stake.
- Point Spread
- A Point Spread is a handicap given to the favorite team to make the bet more even, often shown as a number of points.
- Public
- The Public refers to the majority of bettors whose collective bets can influence the odds and line movements.
- Risk-Free Bet
- A Risk-Free Bet refunds your stake if the bet loses, usually as a free bet or site credit.
- Sportsbook
- A Sportsbook is a platform, online or in a shop, where you can place bets on sports events.
- Stake
- The Stake is the amount of money you risk on a single bet.
- Value Bet
- A Value Bet is a wager where the odds offered are higher than the true chance of the outcome, suggesting a positive expected return.
- Wagering Requirement
- A Wagering Requirement is the amount you must bet before you can withdraw money earned from a bonus.