Knowledge Base
Glossary
Plain-English definitions for the terminology used across Football Compass.
- Asian Handicap
- A handicap given to each team to level the playing field, removing the draw as a betting option.
- ATS (Against The Spread)
- Betting against the point spread, where a team must cover the handicap for the bet to win.
- Bankroll
- The total amount of money you set aside for placing bets.
- Bet Builder
- A tool that lets you combine multiple markets from the same match into one custom wager.
- Both Teams To Score
- A wager on whether both teams will score at least one goal during the match.
- Cash Out
- An option to settle a bet before the event ends, locking in a profit or limiting a loss.
- Closing Line
- The final set of odds offered just before an event starts; used as a benchmark to evaluate the quality of a bet.
- Cover
- When a team beats the point spread, meeting the required margin and winning the ATS bet.
- Double Chance
- A bet that covers two of the three possible outcomes in a match, such as win/draw or draw/win.
- Draw No Bet
- A bet that returns your stake if the match ends in a draw; you win if your chosen team wins.
- Free Bet
- A no‑cost bet credited to your account, usually with conditions such as a minimum odds requirement.
- Goal Line
- The total number of goals set for a match, used for over/under bets; also called a total.
- In-Play Betting
- Placing bets on a match after it has started, with odds that update as the game unfolds.
- Line Movement
- Changes in the betting odds or spreads after they are first posted, usually caused by betting volume or new information.
- Moneyline
- A bet on which team will win the match, with no point spread involved.
- Odds Boost
- A promotion that increases the odds on a specific selection for a limited time, raising potential payouts.
- Over/Under
- A wager on whether the total number of goals or points scored in a match will be over or under a set number.
- Parlay
- A single bet that combines two or more selections; all must win for the bet to pay out.
- Request a Bet
- A service to ask the bookmaker for a custom price on a market not currently listed.
- Steam
- A rapid and significant shift in odds caused by heavy betting action on one side of a market.
- System Bet
- A bet that covers multiple combinations of selected outcomes, allowing you to win even if some selections lose.
- Unit
- A standard sized portion of your bankroll used to measure the size of each bet, usually expressed as a percentage.
- Value Bet
- A bet where the odds offered are higher than the true probability of the outcome, giving you an expected positive return.
- Vig (Juice)
- The commission or fee a bookmaker includes in the odds, representing the book’s guaranteed profit margin.
- Wagering Requirement
- The number of times you must bet a bonus or free bet before any winnings can be withdrawn.