What is the moneyline?

Betting on the moneyline means you're just picking the winner of the game. Since there is no point spread involved, betting on the favorite requires you to bet more to win a desired amount on the moneyline. Conversely, betting on an underdog on the moneyline will earn a larger profit. If you are looking to play the favorite on the moneyline, the number you see is the number that you need to lay in order to win $100. Say you're using our free NFL picks and are betting on a -200 favorite, you need to lay $200 to profit $100, and you would collect $300. If you are betting on the underdog, the number that you see is the amount that you would win off a $100 bet. A $100 bet on a +200 underdog would profit $200 and you collect $300. The easiest bet out there, but also the most difficult to separate your heart from your brain.

What is the point spread?

A point spread is a bet on the margin of victory in a game. Betting on the favorite with the point spread requires that team to win the contest by a minimum number of points. Betting on the underdog with the point spread allows that team to lose the contest, as long as it's not by more than the posted number.

What is a parlay?

A parlay is a multi-wager bet that requires all of the legs to win in order for you to cash your ticket. The more teams you include, the more money you can potentially win. But if any of your selections fail to win or cover the point spread, your ticket is toast.

What is the puckline?

The puckline is hockey's version of the point spread. When betting on the puckline, the favorite is -1.5 goals on the spread, with the underdog at +1.5 goals. Betting on the favorite requires your team to win its game by two or more goals. Conversely, betting on the underdog at +1.5 means that your team can lose by one goal, and your ticket will still cash.

What is the runline?

The runline is baseball's version of the point spread. When betting on the runline, the favorite is -1.5 runs on the spread, with the underdog at +1.5 runs. Betting on the favorite requires your team to win its game by two or more runs. Conversely, betting on the underdog at +1.5 means that your team can lose by one run, and your ticket will still cash. Before you go hogwild betting on runlines, give our free MLB picks a look!

What is a rotation number?

At most sports books, the ticket writers speak in numbers, not team names, to avoid confusion. Cities like New York and Los Angeles have multiple teams in the same sport. Nicknames like the Giants and Rangers are used across multiple leagues. Most rotation numbers are 3-4 digits and are usually located to the left of the team names on the odds board. Ticket writers rely on that rotation number to eliminate all confusion between themselves and the bettor.

What is the grand salami?

The grand salami is a bet synonymous with hockey and baseball where bettors can wager on the total points scored in that day's games. In hockey, bettors can choose whether the total goals in that day's games will go over or under the grand salami number. In baseball, bettors can wager on how many total runs will be scored on the day.