To bet on sports, a bettor needs to know the wagering terms and definitions.

Check out these basics to know what you’re betting on, and how to do it.

Straight Bets

A straight bet is a form of betting where a player only wagers on one type of outcome or game. The outcome of a straight wager is not influenced by any other game or action than the player is betting on. You can have a Straight Wager on a moneyline, spread, total, future or prop. This is the most common type of wager.

Totals

When you are betting on the total, you are wagering on the combined score of a given match. A traditional total adds up the score that both teams get. Bookmakers will set a total and then you will wager on the Over or Under.

For example: if a Total was set at 40 points and Team A scored 30 and Team B scored 15, the Total would have reached 45. If you bet the Over, you would have won.

MoneyLine Wagers

When you bet ‘on the moneyline’ you are simply betting on which team will win an event. You do not need to worry about the score or the point spread. When you bet on the favored team to win, your payout would be smaller than betting on the underdog.

Parlays

A parlay is a series of bets tied into one bet slip. It requires at least two bets. To win a parlay, 100% of your bets must win. Because this is a potentially riskier outcome, parlays are more profitable than straight bets.

Futures

Future bets are wagers that are placed on events in the future. Usually you will see Futures lines on something like “Who will win the Super Bowl?” or “Which team will win the ALCS?”. Different odds will be attached to each team.

Proposition Bets (or props)

Prop bets can also be called exotics or side bets. They are events that can usually be found within a game. Some popular proposition bets include: First to score a Touchdown, Who Will Win the Coin Toss, or Will Player X Score a Goal.

Lines

Lines are another word for “odds”. Lines or odds will tell you who is favored to win a match or game. There are various types of odds defined on this page.

Pick/pk/Pick’em

A pick is a betting market where no team is favored to win over the other. Bookmakers view this as an even matchup and will give each team even odds.

Spread or Point Spread

A point spread or handicap is sort of like a head start in sports. The spread ensures that for a team to win ATS (against the spread) the favorite needs to win by a predetermined amount of points or the underdog needs to stay within a certain amount of points.

Push

A push is a game with no action or one that ends in a tie. For example, if the spread of a football game was 7 points, and Team A won by exactly 7 points, that would be a push. All wagered money is returned on matches that end in a push.