NBA Betting Glossary
| Updated: November 10, 2025
As sports betting becomes an increasingly popular form of entertainment, it is no surprise that more and more gambling aficionados are choosing basketball as their preferred sport. It goes without saying that the National Basketball Association attracts a staggering number of devotees to their TVs. Although many punters turn their attention to NBA betting because they are avid fans, others are lured by the opportunity to earn some serious cash.
To get the most out of your NBA betting session, you should make sure that you are familiar with the specific lingo and the slang used by seasoned bettors. Any knowledgeable basketball bettor will tell you that learning as many of these phrases as possible is one of the cornerstones of becoming a successful bettor. Therefore, we recommend studying the terms related to the different odds formats, the various bet types available, and some general terminology to give yourself a better chance of achieving positive results.
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NBA Bet Types Terminology
It goes without saying that knowing the terminology related to the different NBA bet types is one of the stepping stones to enjoying positive results. That is why we have included not only some of the simpler bet types but also some of the more advanced and multifaceted wagers that require greater expertise.
- Accumulator Bet – A wager made up of at least two selections that do not have to be from the same NBA event. The bet pays out only if every selection is correct.
- Dime Bet – A bet valued at $1,000.
- Buck – A bet valued at $100, also known as a dollar.
- Monkey – A wager valued at £500, a slang term primarily used in the UK.
- Fin – An NBA bet valued at $50.
- Grand – A £1,000 bet, also known as a dime bet.
- Pony – A £25 wager on the NBA.
- Nickel – A term used to describe a $500 bet.
- First Half Betting – Betting exclusively on the first half of the game.
- Second Half Betting – Betting exclusively on the second half of the game.
- Future Bets – Bets placed before or during the regular season on long-term outcomes, such as which team will win the playoffs or the Finals.
- Moneyline Bets – Wagers on which team will win the game, with no point spread involved.
- Parlay Bets – A single stake consisting of two or more selections on several NBA games. The bet pays out only if every selection wins.
- Point Spread Betting – The underdog receives additional points and the favorite has points taken away to create a level playing field. The number of points added or subtracted is called the point spread.
- Proposition Bets – Exotic wagers on events that may occur during the game but do not necessarily affect the final outcome.
- Prop Bets – Short for proposition bets.
- Push – A stake that is neither a win nor a loss.
- Teaser Bets – An NBA wager involving several selections that lets you adjust the point spread in your favor in exchange for reduced returns.
- Totals – A bet on whether the combined points scored in the game will be over or under the threshold posted by the bookmaker.
- Wager – Risking a specific amount of money on odds the bookmaker offers for an event.
- Bet – Another word for risking a specified amount of money on a particular outcome.
- If Wagers – A bet comprising at least two selections that depend on several outcomes; subsequent selections have action only if the previous ones win.
- Arbitrage Betting – Taking advantage of differing odds on a single market at various bookmakers to cover all possible outcomes and secure a guaranteed profit.
- Multiple Bet – Another term for accumulator or parlay bets.
- Exotic Bets – All bets except multiples and straight bets.
- In-play betting – Betting on a sporting event while it is in progress. In-play odds change throughout the event, unlike regular markets, which close at the start of the game.
NBA Odds Terminology
If you have already started betting on the NBA, you probably realize how pivotal odds are. That is why we will focus on some key terms and phrases related to NBA betting odds that you should learn to improve your wagering.
- Odds – Indicate the potential returns if your prediction is correct.
- Odds Against – Odds higher than even money, giving bettors a chance to win more than their original stake.
- Odds On – Odds shorter than even money, yielding a potential payoff smaller than the stake.
- Odds Compilers – People who set the odds to create a balanced book.
- Decimal Odds – One of the most common odds formats, used by many NBA betting sites.
- Even Money – Odds that let you win an amount equal to your stake.
- Fixed Odds – Odds agreed upon when bettors place their wagers.
- Fractional Odds – A popular format in the UK that presents odds as fractions.
- Moneyline Odds – The odds format most common in the United States. A negative moneyline shows how much you must stake to win $100, while a positive moneyline shows how much you win for every $100 staked.
- Line – Another term for the odds offered on an event.
- Drift – When odds lengthen, indicating that the likelihood of the event diminishes.
- Price – Another word for the odds or line.
- True Odds – The genuine probability of an event occurring before the bookmaker adds its commission.
Bookmakers and Punters Terminology
Needless to say, if NBA betting is new to you but you are determined to get off to a good start, you should also learn the terminology related to sportsbooks and bettors. By doing so, you will enhance your chances of having a great time and will be less likely to feel at sea.
- Bookmaker – A person or group of people who take bets on various sporting events.
- Bookie – Short for a bookmaker.
- Sportsbook – The company, person, or establishment that accepts NBA wagers from the public.
- Bettor – A person who places bets.
- Punter – Another term for a person who places bets.
- Action – A term used to describe wagers, regardless of their size or type.
- Get Down – Another way to say that you are placing a bet.
- Overround – The profit that bookmakers make.
- Bonus – An incentive advertised by bookmakers to attract more betting action.
- Betting Strategy – A specific approach to staking that may help you gain an edge over the bookmaker.
- Banker – A selection that attracts a lot of betting action.
- Commission – The cost of placing a wager.
- Edge – Another word for advantage.
- Exposure – The potential losses you face when making a bet or choosing a market.
- Expected Value – The amount of money you can expect to win over time.
- Favorite – The most probable winner of an event.
- Holding Your Own – Breaking even: you are neither losing nor winning.
- Juice – Another term for the cost of placing a bet.
- Kelly Criterion – A popular staking method where your wager size is based on your perceived edge.
- Limit – The maximum stake you are allowed to place.
- Lock – A selection considered almost certain to win.
- Margin – The bookmaker’s commission.
- No Action – A canceled bet for which the stake is refunded.
- Off the Board – A game on which the bookmaker is not accepting bets for any reason.
- Payout – The returns a winning bet can provide.
- Sharp Bettor – A knowledgeable or professional bettor.
- Staking Method – A way of estimating how much money to risk on a single bet to seek consistent profit.
- Tipsters – People who provide tips about the most probable winner of a game.
- Underdog – The team considered less likely to win.
- Wiseguy – A knowledgeable and seasoned gambler who stays on top of changes in the market.
- Chalk – The most probable and, therefore, most favored betting option.
- Dog – Short for underdog.
- Hook – A half-point used to ensure that bets will either win or lose, eliminating the possibility of a push.
- High-roller – A bettor who is willing to risk substantial amounts of money.
- Runner – Also called a beard; a person who places bets on someone else’s behalf.
- Square – A complete novice at sports betting.
- Press – Betting a larger amount than you normally would.