Knowledge Base
Glossary
Plain-English definitions for the terminology used across Match Daily.
- ATS
- A record that shows how often a team has covered the spread in previous games.
- Bankroll
- The total amount of money set aside for betting, managed to avoid overspending.
- Cash Out
- A feature that lets you settle a bet before the event ends, locking in a profit or minimizing a loss.
- Closing Line
- The final set of odds offered before a match begins; getting better than the closing line is considered a positive outcome.
- Cover
- When a team wins by more than the point spread, satisfying the spread bet.
- Edge
- An advantage you have over the sportsbook's odds, usually identified through analysis or line shopping.
- Exchange
- A peer‑to‑peer betting platform where bettors can back and lay outcomes, often with lower vig than traditional sportsbooks.
- Futures
- A bet placed on the outcome of a tournament or award before it begins, such as who will win the World Cup.
- In-Play Betting
- Placing bets after a match has started, with odds that update as the game progresses.
- Lay
- To bet against an outcome on an exchange, acting as the bookmaker and taking on the risk.
- Line Movement
- The change in odds or spread over time, often driven by betting volume or new information.
- Live Odds
- Dynamic odds offered during in-play betting that change based on the current game situation.
- Middle
- A situation where you bet on both sides of a line and win both if the final score falls in the middle.
- Moneyline
- A bet on which team will win a match outright, with odds expressed as a positive or negative number.
- Odds
- A number that reflects the implied probability of an outcome and determines how much you can win relative to your stake.
- Over/Under
- A bet on whether the total number of goals scored in a match will be higher or lower than a set number.
- Parlay
- A single bet that links multiple selections; all must win for the bet to pay out, increasing potential payout.
- Point Spread
- A handicap given to the favorite team to level the betting field, expressed as a margin of points.
- Prop Bet
- A wager on a specific event within a match, like which player scores first or how many yellow cards are shown.
- Public Money
- Bets placed by casual bettors, which can inflate odds on popular teams.
- Steam
- A rapid, widespread movement of the betting line caused by heavy wagering activity.
- Unit
- A standard amount of your bankroll used to size bets consistently, often 1‑2% of the total.
- Vig
- The commission charged by the sportsbook on a bet, typically built into the odds.