Knowledge Base
Glossary
Plain-English definitions for the terminology used across Fan Strategy.
- Accumulator
- A type of parlay that links multiple outcomes across different matches, with winnings reinvested into the next selection.
- Arbitrage
- Exploiting differences in odds across multiple books to place bets on all possible outcomes and secure a guaranteed profit.
- Bankroll
- The total amount of money set aside for placing bets, used to manage risk and track performance.
- Bonus
- Extra funds credited to your account by a sportsbook, often subject to conditions before withdrawal.
- Cash Out
- A feature that lets you settle a bet before the match ends, locking in a profit or limiting a loss based on current odds.
- Expected Value
- The average amount you can expect to win or lose per bet if placed repeatedly under the same odds.
- Free Bet
- A no-risk bet offered by a sportsbook, where you receive the profit but not the stake if you win.
- Futures
- A bet placed on the outcome of a tournament or award before it begins, such as predicting the World Cup winner.
- Hedge
- Placing a second bet on the opposite outcome to guarantee a profit or reduce potential loss on an existing wager.
- In-play Betting
- Placing a bet on a match while it is already in progress, with odds that change as the game unfolds.
- Kelly Criterion
- A formula used to determine the optimal size of a bet to maximize long-term growth while minimizing risk.
- Moneyline
- A bet on which team will win the match outright, with odds expressed as a positive or negative number.
- Odds
- Numerical values that indicate how likely an outcome is and 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 combines two or more individual selections and pays out only if all of them win.
- Payout
- The total amount of money returned to you after a winning bet, including your original stake and profit.
- Point Spread
- A handicap given to the favored team to level the playing field, requiring them to win by a certain margin.
- Prop Bet
- A wager on a specific event within a match, such as which player scores first or how many yellow cards are given.
- ROI
- The percentage of profit or loss relative to the total amount wagered, measuring betting efficiency.
- Rollover
- The total amount you must bet, including deposits and bonuses, to meet promotion terms.
- Stake
- The amount of money you risk on a single bet, which determines potential winnings and losses.
- Value Bet
- A wager where the odds offered are higher than the true probability of the outcome, giving an expected positive return.
- Vig
- The commission charged by the sportsbook for taking a bet, built into the odds to ensure a profit.
- Wagering Requirement
- The number of times you must bet a bonus amount before it can be withdrawn as real money.