Knowledge Base
Glossary
Plain-English definitions for the terminology used across Fan Strategy.
- Accumulator
- A single bet that links two or more selections, with each selection needing to win for the bet to pay out, multiplying the odds.
- Asian Handicap
- A handicap applied to a team that splits the bet into two separate handicaps, eliminating the draw and reducing the sportsbook's margin.
- Bet Builder
- An online tool that lets you combine multiple outcomes from the same match into a single custom wager with adjusted odds.
- Bet Slip
- The digital record on a sportsbook that lists your selected markets, odds, stake, and potential return before you confirm the bet.
- Bonus
- A promotional credit offered by the sportsbook, often requiring you to meet rollover conditions before you can withdraw any winnings.
- Both Teams to Score (BTTS)
- A market where you wager on whether both sides will find the net at least once during the match.
- Cashback
- A refund of a portion of your losses, usually expressed as a percentage and credited to your account after a set period.
- Corner Bet
- A wager on the total number of corner kicks a team will earn in a match, with options such as over/under a specified line.
- Decimal Odds
- A way of expressing odds as a single number that includes the stake; the payout equals the odds multiplied by the amount wagered.
- Double Chance
- A market that lets you back two of the three possible outcomes (win/draw) in a single bet, lowering the risk.
- Draw No Bet
- A bet that removes the draw option; if the match ends in a draw, the stake is refunded.
- Even Money
- A bet where the potential profit equals the amount wagered, expressed as odds of 2.00 in decimal format.
- Free Bet
- A no-cost wager provided by the sportsbook, usually with restrictions such as a minimum odds requirement or expiration date.
- Goal Line
- The line set by the sportsbook for total goals in a match, similar to over/under, often offered as a decimal to avoid pushes.
- Handicapping
- The process of analyzing teams, player stats, and conditions to estimate the likelihood of outcomes and identify favorable odds.
- In-Play
- Bets placed after a match has started, with odds that update in real time based on the flow of the game.
- Juice
- The commission charged by a sportsbook on a bet, often reflected in the odds as a small extra margin built into the line.
- Lay Bet
- A bet placed on an outcome not to happen, typically offered on betting exchanges where you act as the bookmaker.
- Live Betting
- The practice of placing bets on a game while it is in progress, with odds that shift as the action unfolds.
- Margin
- The sportsbook’s built-in advantage, expressed as a percentage, which ensures they profit over the long term regardless of individual results.
- Over/Under
- A market where you wager whether the total number of goals (or other stats) will be above or below a line set by the sportsbook.
- Parlay
- A single bet that links two or more selections; all must win for a payout, and the odds are multiplied together.
- Payout
- The total amount of money returned to you after a winning bet, including your original stake plus the profit.
- Stake
- The amount of money you risk on a bet, which determines the size of your potential win or loss.
- Value Bet
- A wager where the odds offered by the sportsbook are higher than the true probability of the outcome, giving you a positive expected value over time.