Knowledge Base
Glossary
Plain-English definitions for the terminology used across Football Compass.
- Back
- To bet on an outcome to happen, also known as "buying" a bet.
- Bankroll
- The total amount of money you have set aside for betting.
- Bookmaker Margin
- The built-in profit margin for the sportsbook, included in the odds.
- Cash Out
- A feature that lets you settle a bet before the match ends, locking in a profit or loss.
- Closing Line
- The final odds offered before a match starts; considered a benchmark for bet quality.
- Halftime Betting
- A wager placed on the outcome of the second half of a match, after the first half ends.
- Handicap
- A points adjustment applied to a team’s final score to give one side an artificial advantage.
- In-Play
- Betting that takes place while the match is already in progress.
- Juice
- The commission charged by the sportsbook on a bet, usually reflected in the odds.
- Lay
- To bet against an outcome, also known as "selling" a bet.
- Line Movement
- The change in odds or point spread over time as more bets are placed.
- Market
- A category of bets available for a particular event, such as match result or total goals.
- Moneyline
- A bet on which team will win the match, with odds expressed as a positive or negative number.
- Odds
- The number that tells you how much you can win relative to your stake.
- Over/Under
- A bet on whether the total number of goals scored will be more or less than a set number.
- Parlay
- A single bet that links two or more selections; all must win for the bet to pay out.
- Point Spread
- A handicap given to the favorite team to level the betting field.
- Prop Bet
- A side bet on a specific event within a match, such as which player scores first.
- Public Money
- The amount of bets placed by casual bettors, often influencing line movement.
- Responsible Gambling Tools
- Features like deposit limits, self‑exclusion, and reality checks that help you stay in control.
- Rollover Requirement
- The number of times you must wager a bonus amount before you can withdraw it.
- Unit
- A standard measure of the size of a bet, usually a fraction of your bankroll.
- Value Bet
- A bet where the odds offered are higher than the true probability suggests, giving an edge.