Football Betting Glossary

A to Z of football betting terms. Use the search box to find any term instantly.

A

Accumulator
A single bet combining four or more selections, all of which must win. Also called an acca. The odds from each selection are multiplied together. See our what is an accumulator guide for the full explanation.
Acca Insurance
A bookmaker promotion that refunds your stake (as a free bet or cash) if one selection in your accumulator lets you down. Usually applies to 5+ fold accas. Most major bookmakers including Bet365 and Sky Bet offer some form of this.
Acca Boost
A promotion that adds an extra percentage to your winning accumulator return. For example, a 10% boost on a 5-fold means your winnings are increased by 10% if all five legs win.
Asian Handicap
A form of handicap betting where one team is given a fictional advantage or disadvantage expressed in goals (e.g. -1.5 or +0.5). Asian handicap eliminates the draw as a possible outcome, leaving only two options.
Ante-Post
A bet placed well in advance of an event, such as backing a team to win the league before the season starts. Prices are usually better but your stake is at risk if the selection does not participate.
Added Time
Injury time or stoppage time added at the end of each half by the referee. Relevant to certain betting markets, particularly BTTS and Over/Under, where late goals can swing results.
All-In
A term meaning your bet stands regardless of whether the selection is withdrawn or scratched. Common in horse racing but relevant to some football outright markets too.
Arbitrage
Backing every possible outcome in an event across different bookmakers to guarantee a profit regardless of the result. Also called sure betting or arbing. Use our arbitrage calculator to find opportunities.

B

Banker
A selection you consider almost certain to win, often used as the base of an accumulator. Many bettors build their acca around a banker selection and add higher-odds legs around it.
Bet Builder
A feature offered by most major bookmakers allowing you to combine multiple selections from the same match into a single bet. For example, backing a team to win, BTTS Yes and a specific player to score - all in one match.
BTTS
Both Teams to Score. A market where you predict whether both teams will score at least one goal each during the match. The most popular market after Match Result. See our BTTS tips page for daily selections.
Bookmaker
A licensed company that accepts bets on sporting events. The bookmaker sets the odds based on probability plus their margin. Major UK bookmakers include Bet365, Sky Bet, Betfair, William Hill and Betway.
Bonus
A promotional offer from a bookmaker, typically for new customers. Free bets, deposit matches and enhanced odds are common forms of bonus. Always read T&Cs before claiming.
Both Teams to Score
See BTTS above.
Back
To place a conventional bet on a selection to win. The opposite of a lay bet. Most standard betting with bookmakers involves backing a selection.
Bet Slip
The summary of your selected bets before you confirm your wager. Most bookmaker websites and apps display a bet slip panel where you can review and adjust your selections.

C

Cash Out
A feature allowing you to settle your bet for a return before the event concludes. Cash out is available on most accumulators and lets you lock in a profit or cut losses. The amount offered fluctuates in real time based on current odds.
Correct Score
A market where you predict the exact final scoreline of a match. Odds are long but the difficulty is high. See our correct score tips for daily predictions.
Combo Bet
Another term for a multiple or accumulator bet combining two or more selections.
Corner Bet
A market based on the total number of corners in a match, or which team will win more corners. Operated similarly to Over/Under goal markets.
Clean Sheet
A betting market on whether a team will prevent the opposition from scoring. Clean sheet Yes wins if the team does not concede any goals during the match.
Cashback
A promotion where the bookmaker returns a percentage of losses or your stake under specific conditions. Often part of acca insurance deals.
Commission
The percentage fee charged by a betting exchange (like Betfair) on your net winnings from a market. Typically 2-5% depending on your activity level.

D

Double
A bet combining two selections. Both must win for the bet to pay out. The return from the first selection is rolled onto the second. The simplest form of multiple bet.
Double Chance
A market covering two of the three possible match results (Home/Draw, Away/Draw, or Home/Away). Lower odds than a straight result pick but higher probability of winning.
Decimal Odds
The most common odds format in Europe. Represents total return per unit staked including stake. Odds of 2.50 on a 10 stake returns 25. Use our odds converter to switch between formats.
Dead Heat
When two or more selections finish equal. In betting, dead heat rules typically halve the stake and apply full odds to one unit. More common in golf and horse racing but can apply to some football markets.
Draw No Bet
A market eliminating the draw outcome. If the match ends in a draw, your stake is returned. Otherwise, the winner of the match takes all.
Dutching
Backing multiple selections in the same event with proportional stakes so that the return is equal whichever selection wins. Use our dutching calculator to work out stakes.
Derby
A match between local or rival clubs. Derbies can be unpredictable and do not always follow expected form, which is worth considering when betting on these fixtures.
Drift
When odds lengthen (increase) in the market, suggesting less confidence in a selection. A drifting favourite may indicate late news or heavy money going elsewhere.

E

Each Way
A two-part bet: a win bet and a place bet. The win part pays out at full odds if your selection wins. The place part pays at a fraction of the odds if the selection finishes in the top places. Use our each-way calculator to calculate returns.
Even Money
Odds of 2.00 in decimal, or evens (1/1) in fractional. A 10 stake returns 20, profit of 10. Means the bookmaker implies a 50% chance of the outcome occurring.
Expected Goals (xG)
A statistical measure of the quality of goal-scoring chances created by a team. xG above 1.5 indicates a team created several good chances and is useful for identifying teams that may be overperforming or underperforming their results.
Edge
A betting edge exists when your assessed probability of an outcome is higher than the bookmaker implies through their odds. Finding and exploiting edge is the basis of profitable betting.
European Handicap
A form of handicap where a whole-goal advantage or disadvantage is applied, preserving the possibility of all three outcomes (home win, draw, away win). Different from Asian handicap which eliminates the draw.
Exchange
A platform where bettors trade with each other rather than against a bookmaker. Betfair is the largest betting exchange. Exchanges offer better odds but charge commission on winnings.

F

Fold
The number of selections in an accumulator. A 4-fold has four selections, a 5-fold has five, and so on. All selections must win for the fold to pay out.
First Goalscorer
A market predicting which player will score the first goal of the match. Odds typically range from 5/2 to 12/1 for regular strikers. See our goalscorer tips page.
Fixed Odds
Bets placed at a specific price that is locked in at the time of betting. Your return is known before the event starts, unlike spread betting or parimutuel systems.
Fractional Odds
The traditional UK odds format shown as a ratio (e.g. 5/2). The first number is profit per unit of the second number staked. Convert to decimal by dividing numerator by denominator and adding 1.
Free Bet
A promotional token from a bookmaker allowing you to place a bet without risking your own money. Free bet returns usually exclude the stake, so a 10 free bet at 3.00 odds returns 20, not 30.
Full Time Result
The Match Result market based on the outcome after 90 minutes plus added time. Does not include extra time. The most widely bet market in football.
Favourite
The selection with the shortest odds in a market, indicating the bookmaker considers it most likely to win.
Form
Recent results and performance history of a team or player. Most analysts consider the last six matches, though form over longer periods is also worth examining.

G

Goalscorer
Markets relating to which player(s) will score: first goalscorer, anytime goalscorer, last goalscorer. Popular acca market especially for big-name strikers with high shot volumes.
Goal Line
Another term for Over/Under goals betting. Goal line of 2.5 means you bet whether total goals in the match will be over or under 2.5 (i.e. 3 or more, or 2 or fewer).
GG/NG
Goal/Goal (both teams score) and No Goal/Goal (only one team scores). European equivalent of the BTTS Yes/No market.
Goliath
A system bet covering eight selections across 247 individual bets (singles, doubles, trebles and accumulators). Requires a large outlay but provides extensive coverage.
Guaranteed Profit
A profit secured regardless of the outcome. Achieved through arbitrage (betting every outcome at different bookmakers) or through matched betting using free bets.
Group Winner
Outright market on which team will win a specific group in a tournament such as the World Cup or Champions League.

H

Handicap
A betting format giving a fictional advantage or disadvantage to a team to level the playing field. Expressed as goals (e.g. +1.5 for the underdog, -1.5 for the favourite).
Half Time/Full Time
A market predicting the result at both half time and full time. Nine possible outcomes (Home/Home, Home/Draw, etc.). Longer odds than straight result but offers interesting value in certain matches.
Heinz
A system bet covering six selections with 57 bets (no singles). Named after Heinz 57 varieties.
Home Win
A bet on the home team to win the match after 90 minutes plus added time. The most commonly backed outcome in football.
Hat-trick Bet
A market on whether a specific player will score three goals in a single match. Extremely long odds, often 50/1 or higher even for prolific strikers.

I

In-Play
Betting that takes place after a match has started. Also called live betting. Odds fluctuate continuously based on events in the match. See our live betting guide.
Implied Probability
The probability implied by a set of odds, calculated as 1 / decimal odds x 100. Odds of 3.00 imply a 33.3% probability. Compare to your own assessment to find value. Use our odds converter to see implied probability for any odds.
Insurance (Acca)
See Acca Insurance. A promotion refunding your stake if one or more legs of your accumulator fail.
In-Running
Another term for in-play or live betting.

J

Juice
American term for the bookmaker margin or vigorish. The built-in profit margin that ensures the bookmaker makes money over the long run regardless of outcomes.

K

Kelly Criterion
A mathematical formula for calculating optimal bet size based on your perceived edge and odds. Full Kelly stakes a proportion of bankroll equal to edge / odds. Many bettors use a fraction (quarter Kelly or half Kelly) to reduce variance. See our bankroll management guide.

L

Lay Bet
Betting on a selection NOT to win. Available on betting exchanges like Betfair. The layer acts as the bookmaker, paying out if the selection wins but keeping the backer's stake if it loses. Use our lay bet calculator.
Live Betting
See In-Play betting.
Lucky 15
A system bet on four selections covering 15 bets: four singles, six doubles, four trebles and one 4-fold accumulator. One winning selection guarantees a return.
Lucky 31
A system bet on five selections covering 31 bets: five singles, ten doubles, ten trebles, five 4-folds and one 5-fold.
Lucky 63
A system bet on six selections covering 63 bets. The largest of the Lucky series.
Liability
On a betting exchange, the maximum amount you could lose as a layer if the selection wins. Calculated as lay stake x (lay odds - 1).
Line
The odds or point spread on a particular selection. Also used to describe specific markets (e.g. the Over/Under goals line).
Longshot
A selection with long odds, indicating low probability of winning but high potential return.

M

Match Result
The most common football betting market: back the home team, the draw, or the away team to prevail after 90 minutes.
Moneyline
American term for the Match Result market. Expressed in American odds format (e.g. +150, -120).
Multiple
A bet covering more than one selection. Includes doubles, trebles, accumulators and system bets.
Margin
The bookmaker's built-in profit percentage, calculated from the implied probabilities of all outcomes summing to more than 100%. Use our margin calculator to check any market.
Maximum Payout
The maximum return a bookmaker will pay from a single bet or accumulator. Most bookmakers cap payouts at a set amount (e.g. 1 million or 500,000). Always check max payout limits before placing large accas.

N

No Goal
A prediction that a specific team or both teams will not score. Part of GG/NG market or used in clean sheet betting.
Nap
The tipster's strongest selection of the day. The term comes from the card game Napoleon. A nap selection is their highest-confidence bet.
Novelty Bet
A non-sporting bet on events like politics, entertainment or reality TV outcomes. Some bookmakers offer novelty football bets on things like which club will sign a specific player.

O

Over/Under
A market on whether the total number of goals (or corners, cards, etc.) in a match will be over or under a specified line, typically 2.5. See our Over 2.5 tips and Over 3.5 tips.
Odds
A numerical representation of the probability of an outcome and the potential return on a bet. Expressed as decimal, fractional or American (moneyline). Convert between formats using our odds converter.
Odds-On
A selection priced below 2.00 in decimal (or evens in fractional). The implied probability is greater than 50%, so you need to stake more than you stand to profit.
Outright Winner
A market betting on the winner of a competition (league, cup, tournament) rather than a single match outcome.
Odds Compiler
The bookmaker employee responsible for setting and adjusting prices on markets. Also called a trader.

P

Patent
A system bet on three selections covering seven bets: three singles, three doubles and one treble. One winning selection guarantees a return.
Perm
Short for permutation. Using a selection of teams or events and covering multiple combinations. Common in football pools and some exotic bets.
Price
Another word for odds.
Profit Boost
A promotion adding a percentage to your winnings on a qualifying bet. Similar to an Acca Boost but may apply to singles or other bet types.
Push
When a bet results in no win and no loss - the stake is returned. Typically occurs in handicap betting when the handicap equals the actual goal difference.
Punt
Informal term for placing a bet.
Place Bet
A bet on a selection to finish within a specified number of positions (places) rather than winning outright. Part of each-way betting.

Q

Qualifying Bet
A bet placed using your own money to unlock a free bet promotion. For example, bet 10 to get a 10 free bet. Usually must be placed at minimum odds and cannot be cashed out.

R

Return
The total amount paid out from a winning bet, including the original stake. Profit = return minus stake.
Request a Bet
A feature offered by some bookmakers (Sky Bet, Coral) allowing customers to request custom bet combinations not available in standard markets. The bookmaker then offers odds or declines.
Responsible Gambling
Measures and tools designed to help bettors maintain control. Includes deposit limits, loss limits, cooling-off periods and self-exclusion. Visit BeGambleAware.org for support and resources.
Roll-Over
Requirement to bet through a free bet or bonus a certain number of times before winnings can be withdrawn. Also called wagering requirement.
Risk-Free Bet
A promotional bet where your stake is refunded (usually as a free bet) if the wager loses. Effectively a conditional form of matched betting opportunity.

S

Single
A bet on one selection. The simplest form of bet. If the selection wins, you receive your stake multiplied by the odds.
Spread
In spread betting, a range of outcomes rather than fixed odds. Profit or loss depends on how right you are, not just whether you are right or wrong. Higher risk than fixed odds.
Stake
The amount of money placed on a bet.
Sure Bet
Another term for arbitrage. A bet (or collection of bets) structured to guarantee a profit regardless of the outcome.
System Bet
A bet covering multiple combinations from a selection of teams or events. Examples include Trixie, Yankee and Lucky 15. Provides partial returns if some but not all selections win.
Scorecast
A combined market predicting both the first goalscorer and the correct final score. Very long odds but popular for those seeking big returns from small stakes.

T

Treble
A bet combining three selections. All three must win. The first win rolls onto the second, the second onto the third.
Trixie
A system bet on three selections covering four bets: three doubles and one treble. Two winning selections guarantee a return.
Total Goals
See Over/Under. A market on the total number of goals in a match.
Two-Up
A promotion where bookmakers pay out early if your team scores two goals first in a match, regardless of the final result.
Tip
A betting recommendation from a tipster. Our tips section provides free daily accumulator tips across seven markets.
Top Goalscorer
An outright market betting on which player will score the most goals in a competition.

U

Under
A bet that the total goals (or another statistic) in a match will be fewer than the specified line. Under 2.5 means fewer than three goals.
Unit Stake
A fixed amount used as a standard betting unit for bankroll management purposes. Most professional bettors stake 1-5% of their total bankroll per bet. See our bankroll management guide.
Underdog
The selection with the longest odds in a market, considered least likely to win by the bookmaker.

V

Value Bet
A bet where the true probability of the outcome is higher than the probability implied by the odds. Finding value is the key to long-term profitable betting. Read our value betting guide.
Void
A bet that is cancelled and the stake returned. Common causes include match abandonment, player not participating, or markets being withdrawn.
Vigorish
American term for the bookmaker margin. Also called vig or juice.

W

Win Accumulator
An accumulator based purely on match result (home/draw/away) selections. The most popular acca type. See our win acca tips.
Wager
Another word for a bet.
Wincast
A combined market predicting both a specific goalscorer and the match result winner. Shorter odds than Scorecast but still longer than individual markets.
Without Bet
A market from which one specific runner has been removed. Common in golf and horse racing where a favourite is excluded to simplify the market.

X

xG (Expected Goals)
See Expected Goals. A metric measuring the quality and quantity of goal-scoring opportunities based on historical shot data from similar positions and situations.

Y

Yankee
A system bet on four selections covering 11 bets: six doubles, four trebles and one 4-fold accumulator. Two winning selections are needed to guarantee a return.
Yellow Card Bet
A market on bookings in a match. Common forms include total cards Over/Under and which player will receive the first yellow card.

Z

Zero Margin
A bookmaker offering (or a market condition) where no profit margin is built in - implied probabilities sum to exactly 100%. Betfair Exchange sometimes offers zero or near-zero margin on popular markets during peak liquidity.