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General

Steam Move

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.

Related General Terms

Bankroll
The total amount of money a bettor has set aside specifically for placing bets. Effective bankroll management is considered one of the most important aspects of long-term betting success, as it helps bettors survive losing streaks and avoid going broke.
Wager
Another term for a bet. A wager is an agreement to risk money on the outcome of an event at agreed-upon odds. The term is commonly used in the United States and in formal or legal contexts related to sports betting.
Lock
A bet that is considered a sure winner, though no bet is ever truly guaranteed. The term is commonly used by tipsters and recreational bettors to express high confidence. Sharp bettors are skeptical of 'locks' because they understand that uncertainty is inherent in all sports outcomes.
Payout
The total amount returned to a bettor when a bet wins, including the original stake plus the profit. For example, a $10 bet at odds of 3.00 returns a payout of $30 ($10 stake + $20 profit). Payout is calculated as Stake x Odds in decimal format.
Margin
The percentage above 100% that the implied probabilities of all outcomes in a market add up to. A market with odds that imply 103% total probability has a 3% margin. Lower margins mean fairer odds for bettors. Also called the overround or book percentage.
Juice (Vig)
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.
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