Like in any other regions or culture, the world of gaming has developed its own "taboo" words. The poker community has their own poker slang, casino has their own casino terms and the sports betting world have their own punter language. In order to have a clear understanding about sports betting, you must learn your way through the punter lingo.

If you wish to engage in sports betting it would be best if you know the commonly used punter slang lingo to have a better understanding towards the act. So here’s the first list of words sports bettors usually used in their community. A-F only, next set of list will follow.

A

ACTION - A bet or wager of any kind is deemed Action if valid.

ALL-IN - With all-in betting there are no refunds given for scratched or withdrawn competitors or teams in an event where a bet is placed. Should an event be cancelled then the amount bet will be refunded.

ARBITRAGE- Where a variation in odds available allows a punter to back both sides and guarantee a win.

B

BACKED - A 'backed' team is one on which lots of bets have been placed.

BAD BEAT - Sure winner turned to a loser

BANKROLL or BR - Your gambling money

BEEF - A dispute over the outcome of a bet

BETTOR - Someone who places or has a bet. Referred to as “Punter” in the UK.

BM or BOOKMAKER - Person or site who is licensed to accept bets on the result of an event based on their provision of odds to the customer. Called sportsbook in the US.

BOOKIE (UK) – Short for bookmaker. The person, shop or site that accepts and handles your bets.

BONUS - Addition to your deposit.

C

COMBINATION BET - Selecting any number of teams/horses to finish first and second in either order

CORRELATED PARLAY - Correlation is the degree to which the results of two bets are related. An example of two bets that are correlated is Barca to lead at the half and Barca to win the game. A correlated parlay is essentially a bet that is tied into another positively, in that if one bets wins, it increases the odds of the other bet winning. A more blatant example would be parlaying the first half over to the second half over to the game over. If you win the first half over wager and the second half over bet, you're obviously going to win the wager for the game.

D

DIME - $1000

DOLLAR - $100

DOUBLE OR NOTHING - An even-money bet, a bet that pays off exactly the amount wagered.

DRAW - Where competitors in an event finish evenly. Where there is a draw and this is not offered as a betting option, the return will be divided by the number of joint winners.

E

EDGE-Advantage

EVEN MONEY - A 1:1 odds bet. A $1 stake would return $2 dividend ($1 win plus $1 staked).

EXPOSURE - The amount of money one actually stands to lose on a game or race.

F

FAVORITE - The contestant that is considered to be more talented or has the better chance to win the contest.

FIELD - 1) All the individual competitors in an event. 2) Odds offered on non listed (outsiders) players or teams collectively called the Field.

FIRING - Betting a lot. A player who is "firing" is wagering large sums.

FIXED GAME - A game in which one or more participants manipulate the final outcome of a game.

FIXED ODDS - Your dividend is fixed at the odds when you placed your bet. No matter how much the odds fluctuate the odds at the time you placed your bet are fixed and written on the ticket. Your dividend for winning is paid at the value stated on your ticket, no matter what happens after you have placed your bet.

FOOTS - Slang term used for Football

FORM - A tabloid used for horse racing

FORUM - Place where gamblers congregate to discuss the upcoming games, talk about their betting strategies or ask betting opinions.

FUTURES - Wager in which you are gambling on the result of a team relative to season wins, standings, playoff finish etc