# Sports Betting Glossary - Terms and Definitions URL: https://sockodds.com/docs/info/glossary/ # Sports Betting Glossary - Terms and Definitions [#sports-betting-glossary---terms-and-definitions] A guide to betting terminology and how it relates to the SockOdds API. ## Alternate lines (alt lines) [#alternate-lines-alt-lines] Non-standard lines or totals at different prices. In the API, `altLines` keyed by line with `includeAltLines=true`. ## American odds [#american-odds] The `odds` string format: negative (−110) is how much to risk to win 100; positive (+150) is what 100 wins. ## API key [#api-key] The authentication token, passed as `x-api-key` or `apiKey`. ## Arbitrage (arb) [#arbitrage-arb] Betting all outcomes at different bookmakers to guarantee profit from odds discrepancies. See the [arbitrage calculator](https://sockodds.com/docs/examples/arbitrage-calculator/). ## ATS [#ats] Against the spread — a team to cover the line. ## Bad beat [#bad-beat] Losing a bet in an unlikely way after appearing to have won. ## betTypeID [#bettypeid] The type of bet: `ml`, `sp`, `ou`, `yn`, `eo`, `pick`, `topbat`, … See [bet types](https://sockodds.com/docs/data-types/bet-types/). ## Book odds [#book-odds] Consensus across bookmakers including juice: `bookOdds`, `bookSpread`, `bookOverUnder`. ## Bookmaker ID [#bookmaker-id] The identifier for each book (`sportsbet`, `tab`, `pinnacle`). See [bookmakers](https://sockodds.com/docs/data-types/bookmakers/). ## BTTS [#btts] Both teams to score — soccer. ## Closing line [#closing-line] The final odds before an event starts. Not snapshotted by the feed; the last `lastUpdatedAt` price before `startsAt` is the nearest thing. ## CLV [#clv] Closing line value — the difference between the odds you got and the closing line. ## Consensus line [#consensus-line] The median price across bookmakers. See [consensus odds](https://sockodds.com/docs/info/consensus-odds/). ## Cover [#cover] Beating the line. ## Cursor [#cursor] A pagination token (`nextCursor`). See [data batches](https://sockodds.com/docs/guides/data-batches/). ## Decimal odds [#decimal-odds] Total return per $1 staked including stake — what Australian books quote. Every bookmaker entry carries `decimal`. ## DNB [#dnb] Draw no bet. ## Deeplink [#deeplink] A URL to the event or bet on the bookmaker: `links.bookmakers`, `links.betslip`. ## EV [#ev] Expected value — the average return per bet over the long term. ## Fair odds [#fair-odds] Consensus with the vig removed: `fairOdds`, `fairSpread`, `fairOverUnder`. ## Favourite [#favourite] The side expected to win (negative American odds). ## Fractional odds [#fractional-odds] UK format, profit relative to stake (10/11). ## Futures [#futures] Season-long markets; `periodID=season` where carried. ## Handle [#handle] Total money wagered on a market. ## Head to head (H2H) [#head-to-head-h2h] Australian term for the moneyline: `betTypeID=ml`. ## Hedge [#hedge] Betting the opposite side of an existing bet. ## Hook [#hook] The half-point in a line (−7.5). ## Implied probability [#implied-probability] `1 / decimal`. Both sides sum above 100% because of the vig. ## Juice / vig [#juice-vig] The bookmaker's margin. Both sides at 1.91 imply ~104.7%. ## Lane [#lane] A separately priced product of a bookmaker (`dabble__pickem`, `mintbet__sgm_only`). ## League ID [#league-id] The league identifier (`AFL`, `NRL`, `RUGBYLEAGUE_NRLW`). See [leagues](https://sockodds.com/docs/data-types/leagues/). ## Line [#line] Australian term for the spread: `betTypeID=sp`. ## Line movement [#line-movement] Changes to odds or lines over time, visible through `lastUpdatedAt` and retained events. ## Live betting (in-play) [#live-betting-in-play] Bets after an event starts. Filter with `live=true`; prices refresh every ~2 minutes. ## Middle [#middle] Both sides at different lines so both can win. ## Multi [#multi] Australian term for a parlay. ## Moneyline [#moneyline] A bet on the winner; `betTypeID=ml`. ## Notice [#notice] The envelope field present when your plan filtered a response. ## Object [#object] The pricing unit: one top-level item in a response (an event, a league, a team). Not per market, not per bookmaker. ## oddID [#oddid] `{statID}-{statEntityID}-{periodID}-{betTypeID}-{sideID}`. See [odds](https://sockodds.com/docs/data-types/odds/). ## Opening line [#opening-line] The first price posted. Not snapshotted by the feed. ## O/U [#ou] Over/under (total): `betTypeID=ou`. ## Parlay [#parlay] Multiple selections in one bet; all must win. See [the parlay builder](https://sockodds.com/docs/examples/parlay-builder/). ## Period ID [#period-id] `game`, `1h`, `1q`, `1i`, `reg`. See [periods](https://sockodds.com/docs/data-types/periods/). ## Pick'em [#pickem] DFS-style over/under on a player stat — Dabble's pick'em lane. ## Positive EV [#positive-ev] A bet with positive expected return: a book's implied probability below fair. ## Props [#props] Bets on specific outcomes within a game; player props have a playerID in the entity slot. ## Push [#push] A result exactly on the line; stake returned. ## ROI [#roi] Return on investment. ## SGM [#sgm] Same-game multi — correlated legs from one event; priced separately in the SGM lanes. ## Sharp money [#sharp-money] Bets from professionals; sharp books (Pinnacle) and exchanges anchor `fairOdds`. ## sideID [#sideid] The side of a bet: `home`, `away`, `over`, `under`, `yes`, `no`, `draw`. ## Stale [#stale] `info.stale: true` — no source write for 45 minutes; prices are last-known. ## Stat entity ID [#stat-entity-id] Whose stat: `home`, `away`, `all`, or a playerID. See [stat entities](https://sockodds.com/docs/data-types/stat-entity/). ## Stat ID [#stat-id] The statistic (`points`, `disposals`, `tries`). See [stats](https://sockodds.com/docs/data-types/stats/). ## Steam move [#steam-move] Sudden movement across many books at once. ## Total [#total] See O/U. ## Underdog [#underdog] The side expected to lose (positive American odds). > Need help?[FAQ](https://sockodds.com/docs/faq/) · [Email](mailto:api@sockodds.com) · [Contact](https://sockodds.com/contact-us/)