Sports betting glossary: all the essential betting terms explained 

Bookmakers use many special terms and abbreviations. Accumulator, BTTS, draw no bet, handicap, push and value bet may sound familiar to experienced bettors, but they can be confusing for beginners. 

This sports betting glossary explains the most important concepts in simple language. You’ll find definitions, short examples and explanations of the differences between terms that are often confused. 

Want to know how to place a bet first? Start with our general beginner’s guide to sports betting. 

Common betting terms explained 

Acca 

Acca is short for accumulator and means the same as a combination bet. Multiple selections are combined into a single betting slip. 

Accumulator 

An accumulator is a bet containing multiple selections. The odds are multiplied together. Usually, every selection must win for the accumulator to pay out. 

Asian handicap 

In an Asian handicap, a team or player is given a virtual advantage or disadvantage. Because a draw can be eliminated as a possible outcome, there are often only two possible results. 

With a handicap of -1.0, the selected team must win by at least two goals. If it wins by exactly one goal, the stake may be refunded. Quarter-goal lines such as -0.25 and -0.75 split the stake between two adjacent handicaps. 

Bankroll 

Your bankroll is the total amount of money you have set aside specifically for sports betting. It is not the same as your entire bank balance or available savings. 

Bankroll management 

Bankroll management means deciding in advance how much you are willing to stake and what proportion of your budget you will risk on each bet. The aim is financial control, not guaranteed profits. 

Bet 

A bet is a prediction on which money is wagered. 

Bet Builder 

A Bet Builder allows you to combine multiple predictions from the same match. For example: the home team wins, over 2.5 goals and both teams score. All selected outcomes must meet the bookmaker’s conditions. 

Betting exchange 

A platform where bettors wager against one another rather than directly against a traditional bookmaker. Users can back an outcome or bet against it. Betting exchanges are not the same as the standard offerings of Belgian bookmakers and are not necessarily legally available in Belgium. 

Betting ticket 

The confirmed record of your bet, showing the selected market, stake, accepted odds, potential payout and ticket reference. 

Bet slip 

A bet slip displays your selected prediction, stake, odds and potential payout before you confirm the bet. 

Bookmaker 

A bookmaker offers bets, sets the odds and settles winning and losing betting slips. In Belgium, only use an operator with the appropriate licence. Our guide to legal sports betting in Belgium explains what to look for. 

Boost 

A temporary increase in the odds or potential payout. An odds boost may come with conditions such as a minimum stake, maximum winnings or a limited number of eligible selections. 

Both Teams To Score 

Both Teams To Score is abbreviated to BTTS. You predict whether both teams will score at least once. With BTTS Yes, results such as 1-1 and 2-1 are winning outcomes. A 3-0 result loses because only one team scored. 

BTTS 

Short for Both Teams To Score. Some bookmakers also use GG for Goal/Goal and NG for No Goal. 

Cash-out 

Cash-out allows you to settle an open bet before the final result is known. You accept the amount offered by the bookmaker at that moment. This can allow you to secure a smaller profit or limit a loss, but you give up the original maximum potential payout. 

Closing odds 

The last available odds just before a match starts or a betting market closes. Comparing the odds you obtained with the closing odds is sometimes used to assess whether you consistently select favourable prices over time. 

Combination bet 

A betting slip combining multiple predictions. The total odds increase because the individual odds are multiplied together, but one losing selection can cause the entire combination to lose. 

Correct score 

A market where you predict the exact final score, such as 2-1. Because there are many possible results, the odds are generally higher than for a standard 1X2 bet. 

Dead heat 

A tied result between two or more participants in a market where only one winner was expected. The bookmaker may divide the stake according to dead-heat rules based on the number of tied winners. 

Decimal odds 

The standard way of displaying odds in Belgium, such as 1.80 or 3.25. Multiply your stake by the decimal odds to calculate the potential total payout. 

Example: €10 × 2.40 = €24 total payout, including €14 profit. 

Double 

A combination bet containing exactly two selections. Both selections must normally win. 

Double chance 

Double chance covers two of the three possible 1X2 outcomes: 

• 1X: Home win or draw. 

• X2: Draw or away win. 

• 12: Home win or away win. 

Because two outcomes are covered, the odds are usually lower than for a standard 1X2 selection. 

Draw 

A result in which neither team wins. In a 1X2 market, a draw is represented by X. 

Draw No Bet 

With Draw No Bet, you select which team will win. If the match ends in a draw, your stake is refunded. If your selected team loses, you lose the bet. 

Each-way 

A bet consisting of one stake on a participant to win and another on the participant to finish in a high position, for example in horse racing or golf. Because two separate stakes are placed, the total stake is twice the selected amount. 

Early payout 

A feature or promotion where the bookmaker settles a bet as a winner when a predefined situation occurs, such as a football team taking a two-goal lead. The exact conditions vary between promotions. 

Edge 

A perceived advantage over the bookmaker’s odds. A bettor believes they have an edge when their analysis suggests that the actual probability of winning is higher than the probability reflected in the odds. 

European handicap 

A handicap market with three possible outcomes: home win, draw or away win after applying the virtual advantage or disadvantage. Unlike many Asian handicap markets, a draw remains possible. 

Expected value 

Expected value, abbreviated as EV, is the theoretical average value of a bet if the same situation could be repeated many times. Positive EV means that the expected return, based on the estimated probabilities, exceeds the stake. The calculation depends on the accuracy of those estimates. 

Extra bet 

A promotional betting amount that can be used under specific conditions. When an extra bet wins, the value of the promotional stake is often not returned; only the net winnings are credited. Always read the promotional terms and conditions. 

Favourite 

The favourite is the participant considered most likely to win according to the bookmaker. The favourite generally has lower odds than the underdog. 

First goalscorer 

A bet on the player who scores the first valid goal of a match. Own goals and players who do not start the match may be treated differently under the bookmaker’s specific rules. 

Fixed odds 

Odds that are locked in when the bookmaker accepts the bet. Subsequent market movements normally do not change your confirmed odds, unless the rules allow for the correction of an obvious pricing error. 

Free bet 

A commonly used term for a promotional stake. In Belgium, such benefits are often called extra bets or promotions. The value of the stake is not always returned when the bet wins. 

Full-time 

The full duration of regular playing time. In football, this generally means 90 minutes plus stoppage time, excluding extra time and penalty shootouts, unless the market clearly states otherwise. 

Futures 

Long-term bets on outcomes decided at a later date, such as the league champion, top goalscorer or winner of a major tournament. Also called outright bets. 

Handicap 

A virtual advantage or disadvantage applied to a result before the bet is settled. Handicaps are used to account for differences in strength between participants when determining odds. 

Hedging 

Placing a new bet on a different outcome to reduce the risk associated with an existing bet. Hedging may limit potential profits and does not automatically guarantee a risk-free position because odds and bookmaker margins can change. 

Implied probability 

The probability that can be calculated from decimal odds: 

Implied probability = 1 ÷ odds × 100 

Odds of 2.00 correspond to 50%. Odds of 4.00 represent 25%. Because of the bookmaker’s margin, the combined implied probabilities of all outcomes usually add up to more than 100%. 

In-play betting 

Betting while a sporting event is taking place. The odds change continuously depending on the score, remaining time and other events. Also called live betting. 

Juice 

An informal term for the margin or commission included in a bookmaker’s odds. Also called vig or vigorish. 

Stake 

The amount of money you risk on a bet. If the bet loses, you lose your stake. If it wins, the payout is calculated using the accepted odds. 

Lay 

Betting that a particular outcome will not happen. Lay bets are mainly found on betting exchanges and work differently from ordinary bets placed with bookmakers. 

Leg 

An individual selection within a combination or system bet. An accumulator containing five predictions has five legs. 

Line 

The threshold or number associated with a betting market. In an over/under market, the line might be 2.5 goals. In a handicap market, it might be -1.5 or +3.5. 

Live betting 

Another name for in-play betting. You place your bet after the sporting event has started. Odds and available markets can change within seconds. 

Live odds 

The current odds during a sporting event. They react to the score, remaining time, injuries, cards and betting market activity. 

Lock 

An informal term for a bet presented as virtually certain to win. In reality, there are no guaranteed winners in sports betting. Be cautious of tipsters selling “locks”. 

Longshot 

An outcome considered unlikely according to the odds and therefore offering a high potential payout. Also called an outsider. 

Margin 

The bookmaker’s built-in margin. Because of this, the combined implied probability of all possible outcomes usually exceeds 100%. 

Market 

The specific aspect of a sporting event you are betting on. Examples include match winner, total goals, both teams to score and first goalscorer. 

Maximum payout 

The highest amount a bookmaker will pay out on a bet, market, sport or period under its rules. Limits may differ between operators. 

Moneyline 

Primarily an American term for a bet on the winner. In sports where draws are not possible, you choose between two participants. In football, the comparable market is usually called 1X2. 

Multi 

Another name for a bet combining multiple selections. Also called an accumulator, acca or combination bet. 

No action 

A bet that does not proceed and is settled as invalid. The stake is normally refunded. The exact reason and settlement procedure depend on the bookmaker’s rules. 

Odds 

Odds indicate how much a winning bet can pay out. With decimal odds, you calculate the potential total payout by multiplying the stake by the odds. 

Odds boost 

A temporary increase in the odds. Check whether a maximum stake, maximum winnings limit or other condition applies. 

Open bet 

A placed bet that has not yet been decided or settled. 

Outright 

A bet on the eventual winner of a competition or tournament, such as the Belgian league champion or Champions League winner. 

Over/under 

A prediction about whether a total will finish above or below a specified line. With over 2.5 goals, at least three goals must be scored. Under 2.5 wins if there are zero, one or two goals. 

Overround 

Another term for the amount above 100% when the implied probabilities of all possible outcomes are added together. This excess reflects the bookmaker’s theoretical margin. 

Parlay 

The American term for a combination bet or accumulator. 

Partial cash-out 

A partial cash-out allows part of a bet’s current value to be settled immediately, while the remaining portion stays active. 

Payout 

The total amount paid out on a winning bet, usually including the original stake. Payout is therefore not the same as net profit. 

Pre-match 

A bet placed before the sporting event begins. 

Profit 

The net winnings: the total payout minus the original stake. 

Push 

A betting result where the stake is refunded. This can happen, for example, with under 2.0 goals when exactly two goals are scored, depending on the market type. 

Return 

The total amount received after a winning bet, generally including the original stake. Also called the payout. 

Result after regular time 

In football, this generally refers to the score after 90 minutes plus stoppage time. Extra time and penalty shootouts do not count unless explicitly included in the market name. 

Same Game Multi 

A combination of multiple predictions from the same match. Similar to a Bet Builder. Not all selections can be combined because some outcomes are dependent on or contradictory to one another. 

Single 

A bet containing just one prediction. The outcome of that selection alone determines whether the bet wins. 

Spread 

Primarily an American term for a points handicap. The favourite must win by more than the specified margin, while the underdog can lose by less than that margin or win the match. 

Stake 

The amount of money wagered on a bet. 

System bet 

A bet in which selections are distributed across several smaller combinations. As a result, the betting slip may still produce a payout even when not every selection wins. The total stake is higher because multiple separate combinations are placed. 

Treble 

A combination bet containing three selections. All three must normally win. 

Trixie 

A system bet with three selections and four bets: three doubles and one treble. At least two selections must win for a payout. 

Underdog 

The participant considered less likely to win according to the bookmaker. The underdog generally has higher odds than the favourite. 

Unit 

A personal measurement used to express stake size. For example, someone might define one unit as €5. Units make it easier to compare betting results without always referring to absolute amounts. 

Value bet 

A bet where you believe the offered odds are higher than justified by the actual probability of winning. A value bet can still lose; the concept concerns expected value over the long term. 

Vig 

Short for vigorish: the margin or commission built into the odds. 

Void 

A bet declared invalid. For a single bet, the stake is normally refunded. In an accumulator, the affected selection is often settled at odds of 1.00, but the bookmaker’s rules determine the exact treatment. 

Wager 

Another word for a bet or stake. 

Yankee 

A system bet with four selections and eleven separate bets: six doubles, four trebles and one fourfold. No singles are included. 

1X2 

The classic football betting market with three possible outcomes: 

• 1: The home team wins. 
• X: The match ends in a draw. 
• 2: The away team wins. 

Normally, the result after regular playing time plus stoppage time applies. 

Differences between bookmakers 

Bookmakers may use different names for similar features. For example, Bet Builder may also be called Same Game Multi or Build-a-Bet. An extra bet may be described as a free bet, while a combination bet may be called an accumulator, acca or multi. 

Odds, market rules, cash-out options and maximum payouts also differ. Our reviews of Starsport, Bwin Belgium, Betcenter Belgium and Ladbrokes Belgium help you compare their general offerings. 

When it comes to settling a specific bet, however, the bookmaker’s current terms and conditions always take precedence. 

Sports betting in Belgium 

According to the Belgian Gaming Commission, a bet is a game of chance in which players place a stake and winning or losing depends on an uncertain event. 

For more legal information, visit the Gaming Commission’s official page on betting. 

Only use bookmakers holding the required Belgian licence. A well-known brand name or foreign licence does not automatically mean that a website is legally authorised to operate in Belgium.