Knowledge Base
Glossary
Plain-English definitions for the terminology used across Football Compass.
- Accumulator
- A single bet that combines multiple selections; all must win for the bet to pay out, multiplying the odds.
- Asian Handicap
- A handicap given to a team to level the playing field, often using half or quarter goals to eliminate the draw.
- Bankroll Management
- The practice of setting and sticking to a budget for betting, determining how much to wager per bet.
- Both Teams to Score
- A bet on whether each side will score at least one goal during the match.
- Cash Out
- A feature allowing you to settle a bet before the event ends, locking in a profit or limiting a loss.
- Closing Line
- The final odds offered just before an event starts; used to evaluate betting skill.
- Correct Score
- A bet that predicts the exact final score of a match.
- Double Chance
- A bet that covers two of the three possible outcomes (home win/draw, away win/draw, or win for either side) in a single wager.
- Expected Goals (xG)
- A metric that estimates how many goals a team should score based on the quality of its chances.
- First Goalscorer
- A bet on which player will score the first goal in a match.
- Free Bet
- A token provided by a sportsbook that lets you place a bet without using your own money; winnings are usually returned without the stake.
- Half-Time/Full-Time
- A bet that predicts the result at half-time and the result at full-time in one wager.
- In-Play Betting
- Placing bets on match events after the game has started, with odds that update in real time.
- Juice
- The commission or fee that a bookmaker adds to the odds, also called "vig" or "margin".
- Kelly Criterion
- A mathematical formula used to calculate the optimal size of a bet relative to your bankroll and the perceived edge.
- Line Movement
- The change in odds or point spreads over time as bets are placed and the market reacts.
- Moneyline
- A bet that simply chooses which team will win the match, with odds reflecting the implied probability.
- Odds Boost
- A promotion that increases the odds on a specific selection, offering a larger potential payout.
- Over/Under
- A bet on whether the total number of goals (or points) in a match will be higher or lower than a set line.
- Parlay
- A bet that links two or more individual wagers; all must be correct to win, multiplying the odds.
- Payout
- The total amount you receive when a bet wins, including the stake and profit.
- Pre-Match Betting
- Betting on outcomes before a match begins, using fixed odds set by the bookmaker.
- Scorecast
- A bet that combines selecting the first goalscorer and the exact final score of the match.
- Stake
- The amount of money you risk on a bet.
- Value Bet
- A wager where the odds offered are higher than the true probability suggests, giving an expected positive return.