Docs Website

52 Years Strong! A Trusted Leader In Sports Picks, Best Bets and Predictions Since 1971.

Main Menu

What Does it mean? Doc's Sports How-To Sports Betting Library

Be sure to read our Sports Betting Terms Explained.

miner


by Doc's Sports - 10/11/2014

This may be the most scientific part of the sports betting industry and most bettors don't know that this is a thing even that exists. Most bettors continuously look forward and only bet on the upcoming games with very little regard with any prior happenings. The smart bettors know that looking at past games can prove profitable forfuture betting opportunities. This is called "data mining" and while it may not be an easy process, it is important to do every now and then.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers


by Doc's Sports - 10/11/2014

Sports betting has grown exponentially over the last 15-20 years with more betting options available now than ever before. I believe that the amount of information available and how easily accessible that information is has a lot to do the boom in sports betting. While the serious bettors still prefer the simple/straightforward kind of bets - money line, point spread, totals - the general public has grown fond of the prop bet opportunities. Prop bets offer up a quick win or loss which feeds right into society's terrible attention span. These bets are also known as exotic bets, which means they are bets that bettors wouldn't ordinarily think to make.

chalk board


by Doc's Sports - 10/11/2014

It today's world, the English language has taken a back seat to slang. Whether it be on social media, instant messaging platforms, through text or email, every body is using some sort of slang which saves them the slightest bit of time and makes them sound like a goof. In sports betting, it is no different. There is a short form or synonym for just about any topic you can think of. Sometimes it makes sense and sometimes, like in this article, it really doesn't.

Denver Broncos QB Peyton Manning


by Doc's Sports - 10/11/2014

If you're looking for a get-rich quick scheme, you are most certainly reading the wrong article. Betting favorites is not for those who lack patience and enjoy slowly building their bankroll. While betting favorites may ensure a very high winning percentage, the return on your investments will be laughable. Not to mention, betting favorites on the money line makes bankroll management a daunting task since one or two losses in a row could see you lose hundreds of dollars in a short period of time. However, if you are still inclined to bet on the favorites, this article will help you understand what you are getting yourself into.

bookmaker


by Doc's Sports - 10/11/2014

The term "bookmaker" is a more formal term for the commonly used slang term bookie. Though bookie can have a shady, illegal connotation, that isn't always the case. The word bookmaker, which is more common in the UK can than the US, can be used interchangeably with sportsbook, or the shortened form of book. A bookmaker simply take bets on sports, and guarantees a return at agreed upon odds if the bet is successful.

Equal Sign


by Doc's Sports - 10/11/2014

There are two absolute guarantees in life and while we all know the first one, taxes are probably the one we complain about the most. Everything has a tax (depending your state) and unfortunately there is nothing really that can be done about it. In the sports betting industry, there is a form of tax sportsbooks use called "juice" or "vig". This is to ensure that the sportsbooks turn a profit regardless of the outcome of a particular game. However, sometimes the sportsbooks feel generous enough to offer up a "tax-free" line. This line is known as "even money" and offers up a chance to double your money - no questions asked.

huge stack money


by Doc's Sports - 10/11/2014

If there is one thing in this world that you should try to do daily, its laugh. Laughter helps us lighten up and enjoy the every day blessings of life. Whether you laugh at funny jokes people tell you, funny situations you find yourself in or you just laugh at yourself for how weird you are - it doesn't matter. Laughter is important. Unfortunately, the majority of us have a friend or know someone who always takes jokes or pranks way too far until they get annoying or out of hand. This act would be considered pressing the issue and is generally not well received. In sports betting, "pressing" the issue can also be a big problem, especially if you're an emotional bettor who has suffered some early losses.

bank teller


by Doc's Sports - 10/11/2014

It doesn't matter whether you are a novice bettor just learning the ropes or a serious bettor who has been in the industry for 20+ years, losing a bet by half a point is the most frustrating way to lose. Depending who you talk to, some say that if your bet loses by half a point, it is the bettors fault for not buying points and moving the line. By buying points, you are helping yourself get the best number possible, especially when you are moving the line through key numbers in football or basketball. Doing this can turn a push or loss into a win more often than you can imagine.

nickel


by Doc's Sports - 10/11/2014

It today's world, the English language has taken a back seat to slang. Whether it be on social media, instant messaging platforms, through text or email, every body is using some sort of slang which saves them the slightest bit of time and makes them sound like a goof. In sports betting, it is no different. There is a short form for pretty much anything you can think of including the currency used to place a bet.

sports betting screen


by Doc's Sports - 10/11/2014

If you hear someone use the phrase "off the board" when discussing sports betting, they are referring to a game or event where the sportsbooks refuse to take any bets. Since many sportsbooks operate under their own set of rules and guidelines, they can take any game or event off the board without a moments notice. As soon as they hear rumblings about certain circumstances that could affect the outcome, they protect their bottom line and pull the game until they know the exact details of what's going on.

arrow


by Doc's Sports - 10/11/2014

It doesn't matter whether you are a novice bettor just learning the ropes or a serious bettor who has been in the industry for 20+ years, losing a bet by half a point is the most frustrating way to lose. Depending who you talk to, some say that if your bet loses by half a point, it is the bettors fault for not buying points and moving the line. By buying points, you are helping yourself get the best number possible, especially when you are moving the line through key numbers in football or basketball. Doing this can turn a push or loss into a win more often than you can imagine.

outlaw


by Doc's Sports - 10/11/2014

If you are reading this to find out what an outlaw line is then you certainly have never been able to bet one. Don't worry - most people haven't. An outlaw line is the earliest available line in sports betting. Linemakers will release it to a select group of sharp bettors that they know and respect before they make the line available to the public. By giving these bettors a sneak peek - and a chance to bet the line early on - the linemakers can be sure that the line they eventually release to the public is as strong as it can be.

Sportsbook Screen


by Doc's Sports - 10/11/2014

Before we had the options of wagering on future bets, parlays, teasers, alternative lines, Asian lines, prop bets and each-way, there was one betting option that reigned supreme. It was the money line bet. From a non-gambling perspective, winning a game in any sports will make a team happy. However, depending on the score, that win may not please bettors. That's because the point spread betting option has taken over as the popular option, leaving the money line far behind. If you are the kind of person who bets on your favorite team each and every game, this is the bet for you.

sportsbook


by Doc's Sports - 10/11/2014

Don't over think this one. A wager is just a slightly fancier way of saying the word bet. Nothing more, nothing less. When you wager on something, you are always risking a certain amount of money - or anything else for that matter (i.e. case of beer) - on the outcome of an game or event that hasn't yet happened.

whale


by Doc's Sports - 10/11/2014

One would think that if a gambler had an endless supply of money to bet with and constantly wagers five or six figures per game, they would have a nickname that sounds a bit more appealing. Instead, these walking ATM's have the dubious distinction of being called a "whale". I guess when you are rich, it doesn't matter what your nickname is, but I have to believe there are about 20 other nicknames that would be more appropriate for someone who drops $100,000 on a game and doesn't even think twice about it.

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander


by Doc's Sports - 10/11/2014

In today's world, online shopping is all the rave. Sites like eBay and Amazon have taken the world by storm and people do whatever they can to avoid setting foot in a retail store. Unfortunately, there will be times where you receive your order and it's completely wrong or it looks nothing like you saw in the picture. Thankfully, you have the ability to get your money back and try again. To put that situation into sports betting context, let's talk about baseball. Baseball offers a unique bet called "listed pitchers" where your bet only goes live if the listed pitchers start the game. If not, just like Amazon, you will get a refund.

Nick Lodolo Cincinnati Reds


by Doc's Sports - 10/11/2014

I'm sure we've all been in a situation before where we stare at the list of games and think to ourselves "if only I could hit a nice 10 team parlay". Now, depending on the odds of the games you selected or the amount of money actually wagered on the parlay, this bet won't necessarily make you "rich" but it could offer up a very nice four or five-digit return. The problem with hitting a parlay that size is that it's damn near impossible to do.

hundred dollar bill


by Doc's Sports - 10/11/2014

It today's world, the English language has taken a back seat to slang. Whether it be on social media, instant messaging platforms, through text or email, every body is using some sort of slang which saves them the slightest bit of time and makes them sound like a goof. In sports betting, it is no different. There is a short form for pretty much anything you can think of including the currency used to place a bet.

Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers.


by Doc's Sports - 10/11/2014

Have you ever found yourself stuck in the middle of two bickering friends, both of whom have a completely different side of story? If you have, I'm sorry, but the right or wrong, fact or fiction details of the problem is usually a grey area and it's up to you to figure out who to believe. In sports betting, there are two sides to every game and it's very easy to determine who the favorite and underdogs is. Generally speaking, favorites and underdogs are separated by a few things like the rosters, current form or home/road splits. In some cases, underdogs can reach "longshot" status over a number of different things.

dice man


by Doc's Sports - 10/11/2014

In my experience betting on sports, not once have I heard someone say that betting on sports is easy. Sure, everyone has their hot streaks where no matter who they bet or what sport they are focused on, they do nothing but cash tickets and let everyone know how hot they are. But with every good streak comes a bad streak.

picture of a sportsbook


by Doc's Sports - 10/11/2014

If you've ever talked with a mechanic and listened to them rhyme off a bunch of car parts, car part functions or car details you know absolutely nothing about, the chances of you actually retaining the information they are giving you is slim to none. You are likely standing their cold-faced, nodding in agreement to pretty much anything they say. The same can be said when a novice better is being given the rundown of the action available for wagering on any given day. They may understand bits and pieces but the amount of info they actually retain is limited.

robin bird


by Doc's Sports - 10/11/2014

I am probably just speaking from experience, but I can also guarantee you that I am not alone in saying the worst feeling in sports betting is losing a massive parlay by one team. That losing team is usually the last team you put in and are just not quite sure about them, but you do it anyways for the potential of a nice juicy payout. If only there was a way to cash in on all the hard work and research that went into picking the other five winning teams. This is a prime example of when you need to know about the round robin bet and how to place one so that your time and effort doesn't go unrewarded.

circle chalk


by Doc's Sports - 10/11/2014

We've all been in a situation before where we've debated with ourselves whether or not we should bet a specific game. The reasons for doing so could range from the uncertainty of a key players health, a travel delay, the weather in an outdoor game or perhaps even the absence of a coach.

hockey puck


by Doc's Sports - 10/11/2014

As a proud Canadian and a lover of hockey, this article shouldn't really surprise my American counterparts. You already know we like to do things differently here in Canada with our pro sports. A prime example is the CFL. However, hockey is no different. If you bet on hockey, you're usually betting the money line - who you think is going to win the game straight up. But in crazy Canadian fashion, sportsbooks offer something called the "puck line" which is exactly like the American version of the point spread.

sports betting


by Doc's Sports - 10/11/2014

Who could forget the moment right after the Boston Celtics won their 17th NBA Championship when Kevin Garnett dropped one of the most famous lines during a live interview that I can remember in quite some time. The big 6-foot 9-inch power forward was overcome with emotion and caught everyone by surprise when he shouted "anything is possible" three times in a row. That statement couldn't be more accurate.

open hands


by Doc's Sports - 10/11/2014

There are very few things in this world worse than making plans with someone, getting excited about going out and then having them cancel on you at the last possible minute. This happens to everyone and in sports betting the same thing happens but in a different context. Imagine this - you get the rundown of the night's action and find a game that really sticks out to you. You dig a little deeper and start loving the opportunity. You can't contain your excitement and place your bet. You get yourself ready to watch the action unfold only to find out its raining and the game just got cancelled and moved to tomorrow. Your bet is now graded "no action" and you have no idea what that even means. Talk about a major disappointment.

money bags


by Doc's Sports - 10/11/2014

The sports betting term "sharp" is more than just a word to describe a person who refers to themselves as a professional bettor. It is what all rookie bettors aspire to become and it's a sort of philosophy of betting that rookie bettors try to incorporate into their betting mentality. People who are considered "sharps" are typically ghosts in the sense that they make their plays without attracting any attention to themselves.

hot twins


by Doc's Sports - 10/11/2014

In today's world, convenience is king. Being able to do something without having to exert any extra time or energy is how most millennials live their life. However, being a successful handicapper is far from convenient. The amount of time and energy all great handicappers put can't be measured because it never stops. They are always looking for their next move and always looking for the right opportunity to maximize their profit. The "double action" betting option offers some semblance of convenience. This is a great bet if you know you are going to be away from the sportsbook or computer for a time period and can't get your bets in.

hound dog


by Doc's Sports - 10/11/2014

Sometimes people are lazy. The term "dog" in sports betting is for people who don't want to spend the time and effort required to say the entire word underdog. If you really want to change things up, an underdog can also be referred to as a puppy. Simply, the underdog is the team or individual that is determined - first by linemakers and then by the betting public - to be less likely to win a game.

stack of 100s


by Doc's Sports - 10/11/2014

If I was to get rich over night, it would take every ounce of energy I have to not flaunt my new house, car, boat, and any other shiny new toy I could buy. However, I know for a fact that nobody would care about what I do with my riches. Some of the richest people in the world wear the same clothing and try to live a relatively low-key life (minus the body guards). If you are a "dime" bettor, you might have the money to back up the life style, but flaunting your big-bet ability will only turn people against you.

<< Prev | 1 2 3 4 5 ... 6 | Next >>

One E-mail A Week Is All You Need!
Our weekly newsletter is loaded with exclusive free picks,insight and advice from our expert handicappers