Handicap

The amount of money a bettor risks on a single wager. Proper stake sizing is a critical component of bankroll management. Most professional bettors recommend risking between 1% and 5% of your total bankroll on any single bet to minimize the risk of ruin.

A professional or highly skilled bettor who consistently finds value in the betting markets. Sharps are respected by bookmakers and their action often moves lines. Being a sharp bettor implies disciplined bankroll management, statistical modeling, and a long-term positive expected value approach.

A sudden and significant shift in a betting line caused by a large volume of sharp money on one side. Steam moves happen quickly across multiple bookmakers as they adjust their odds. These moves often signal that professional bettors have identified a strong edge.

A result in which the final score lands exactly on the point spread or total, resulting in a tie between the bettor and the bookmaker. In a push, the stake is returned. For example, if the spread is -3 and the team wins by exactly 3, the bet is a push. Half-point lines (e.g., -3.5) are used to prevent pushes.

The commission or fee built into the odds by the bookmaker. Also known as vigorish (vig), it represents the bookmaker's profit margin. For example, if both sides of a coin flip are priced at 1.91 instead of 2.00, the difference is the juice. Lower juice means better value for bettors.

A recreational or casual bettor who tends to bet based on gut feelings, popular opinion, or fan loyalty rather than statistical analysis. Squares typically bet favorites and overs, and their action is welcomed by bookmakers. The opposite of a sharp bettor.