If you’re new to matched betting, the terminology can seem overwhelming at first. This glossary breaks down the most common terms, abbreviations, and jargon to help you understand everything you need to know.
For a full introduction to matched betting, check out our guide: What is matched betting?
Sports Betting Terminology
Accumulator (Acca)
A multiple bet with two or more selections. All selections must win for the bet to be successful. If one loses, the entire accumulator loses.
Arbing (Arbitrage)
Placing bets on all possible outcomes of an event using different bookmakers or exchanges to guarantee a profit due to discrepancies in odds.
Asian Handicap
A football betting market that eliminates the possibility of a draw by applying goal handicaps to teams. The handicap can be in whole, half, or quarter goals.
AGS (Anytime Goalscorer)
A bet on a named player to score at any time during the match.
Back Bet
A bet placed in favour of an outcome happening (e.g., betting on a team to win).
Bankroll
The total amount of money allocated for betting, including both back and lay bets.
BOG (Best Odds Guaranteed)
A bookmaker promotion for horse racing where, if you take an early price (EP) and the starting price (SP) is higher, you are paid out at the higher odds.
BTTS (Both Teams To Score)
A football betting market where you bet on whether both teams will score at least one goal.
Cash Out
The option to settle a bet before the event concludes, either securing a profit or cutting a loss based on market value.
Combined Liability
A reduction in the total liability required at a betting exchange when laying multiple outcomes within the same event. This occurs because only one selection can win, and the worst-case scenario determines the total liability held.
Dead Heat
A situation where two or more competitors finish level in an event, affecting how winnings are calculated. For example, in horse racing, a dead heat means winnings are split between the tied selections.
Drifting
When the odds of a selection increase significantly, often due to market confidence decreasing in that outcome.
Double Chance
A market where you cover two of the three possible outcomes in a football match (e.g., Home Win or Draw).
Dutching
A strategy where you place multiple back bets across different bookmakers instead of laying the selection on an exchange.
Each-Way (e/w)
A type of bet split into two parts: one for the selection to win and one for the selection to place (e.g., finish in the top three).
EP (Extra Places)
A bookmaker promotion where additional places are paid on each-way bets. Matched bettors profit when a horse finishes in one of the extra places covered by the bookmaker but not by the exchange lay bet.
EV+ (Positive Expected Value)#
A bet that, based on probability, is expected to yield long-term profits.
Hedging
Placing additional bets to reduce potential losses, similar to laying but sometimes done with back bets at different odds.
Exchange
A betting platform where users bet against each other, rather than against a bookmaker. Used to place lay bets.
Free Bet SNR (Stake Not Returned)
A type of free bet where the stake is not included in winnings, meaning you only profit from the winnings portion.
FGS (First Goalscorer)
A bet on a player to score the first goal of the match.
Gubbed
Restricted from receiving promotions and free bets by a bookmaker, usually due to consistent winnings or suspected matched betting activity.
In-Play
A bet placed while an event is live. Also known as “live betting.”
LC (Live Chat)
The support function on bookmaker websites, useful for resolving issues with promotions or account restrictions.
LGS (Last Goalscorer)
A bet on a player to score the last goal of the match.
Lay bet
A bet against an outcome happening, typically placed on a betting exchange.
Liability
This is the amount of money that is held at the exchange while a lay bet is in progress.
Liquidity
The amount of money required to cover a lay bet, which is held by the exchange until the market settles.
Matched/Partially Matched/Unmatched bet
- Matched: The entire lay bet has been fully taken at the exchange.
- Partially Matched: Only part of the lay bet has been matched, leaving the rest unmatched.
- Unmatched: No part of the lay bet has been taken. You may need to adjust odds or stake to get it matched.
Minimum odds
The lowest odds allowed to qualify for a promotion or free bet.
Mug bet
A bet placed without a promotion or free bet to make a bookmaker account appear like that of a regular punter, reducing the risk of being gubbed.
NR (Non-Runner)
A horse that has been withdrawn from a race. Stakes and liabilities are refunded for voided bets.
Odds Boost (Price Boost)
A bookmaker promotion that temporarily increases the odds of a specific selection. Often used for arbing and value betting.
Overlaying
Laying more than the ideal amount calculated for a free bet, leading to a higher potential profit but also a higher variance.
Over/Under
A betting market where you wager on whether a statistic (e.g., total goals in a football match) will be over or under a specific number.
QL (Qualifying losses)
A small expected loss when placing a qualifying bet to trigger a free bet.
Reload Offer
A bookmaker promotion for existing customers, often used to earn free bets after the initial sign-up bonus.
Rule 4 (Reduction Factor)
A rule applied when a horse is withdrawn from a race, adjusting the odds of the remaining runners to reflect the change in market value. This applies to both bookmakers and exchanges.
SP (Starting Price)
The odds of a selection at the start of a horse race.
Stake
The amount of money placed on a bet.
Underlaying
Laying less than the optimal amount, which increases potential winnings but also increases risk.
Value Betting
Placing bets where the bookmaker’s odds are higher than the true probability of an outcome occurring. Unlike matched betting, value betting involves taking slightly riskier bets but with a long-term mathematical edge, leading to expected profits over time.
Wagering Requirement
The number of times a bonus must be wagered before it can be withdrawn as cash.
Casino Terminology
Bankroll
The total amount of money set aside for casino betting. Managing your bankroll is essential to withstand variance in offers.
BJ (Blackjack)
A popular casino card game where the aim is to get a hand total closer to 21 than the dealer without going over.
Bust Out
Running out of bankroll while wagering a casino offer.
Chasing Losses
Placing bets in an attempt to recover previous losses. This is considered a high-risk gambling behaviour and should be avoided.
EV (Expected Value)
The statistically expected return of a casino offer, calculated based on the probability of winning and losing.
FS (Free Spins)
Bonus spins given by a casino, often as part of a promotion. These may have wagering requirements attached.
Jackpot
A large, typically progressive prize pool that can be won on certain casino games.
RTP (Return to Player)
The percentage of total money wagered that a slot game is programmed to return to players over time. A slot with 95% RTP will, on average, return £95 for every £100 wagered.
Slots
Casino games that involve spinning reels with symbols, with winnings based on matching combinations.
Wagering Requirement/Rollover/Turnover
The total amount a player must bet before bonus funds convert to withdrawable cash.
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