Knowledge Base
Glossary
Plain-English definitions for the terminology used across Match Daily.
- Arbitrage
- Betting on all possible outcomes of an event across different books to guarantee a profit.
- Bankroll
- The total amount of money set aside for placing bets.
- Cash Out
- A feature that lets you settle a bet before the match ends, locking in a profit or limiting a loss.
- Closing Line
- The final odds or spread set just before a match starts; getting a better line is a sign of value.
- Cover
- When a team wins by more points than the spread, they are said to have covered the line.
- Free Bet
- A promotional bet credited by the sportsbook that you can use without risking your own money.
- Futures
- A bet placed on the outcome of a tournament or award, decided weeks or months in advance.
- Handicap
- A points advantage given to the underdog to balance the odds for bettors.
- Juice
- The commission taken by the sportsbook on a bet, usually built into the odds.
- Line Movement
- The change in odds or point spread over time, driven by betting activity.
- Live Betting
- Placing bets on a match while it is already in progress, with odds that change during play.
- Max Bet
- The highest amount a sportsbook will accept on a single wager.
- Moneyline
- A bet on which team will win the match, with odds shown as a positive or negative number.
- Odds Boost
- A promotion that increases the payout odds on a specific selection for a limited time.
- Parlay
- A single bet that links two or more selections; all must win for the bet to pay out.
- Prop Bet
- A wager on a specific event within a match, such as which player scores first.
- Public Money
- The portion of bets placed by casual bettors, often used to read market sentiment.
- Rollover
- The number of times you must wager a bonus amount before you can withdraw it.
- Spread
- A handicap that gives one team a fictional points advantage to level the betting field.
- Stake
- The amount of money you put at risk on a bet.
- Total
- The combined number of goals, points, or runs expected in a match; you bet over or under that line.
- Unit
- A standard measure of bet size, often a percentage of your total bankroll.
- Value Bet
- A wager where the odds offered are higher than the true probability, giving an edge over the sportsbook.