The origin of the “sports and race betting” is quite old, possibly dating back thousands of years. For example, for thousands of years, horse racing flourished as the sport of kings and the nobility. Now, the rise of professional sports, especially televised professional Basketball and Football has brought about significant increases in the volume of sports betting.
The main object of sports and race betting is to beat the 'Oddsmakers' or the 'Odds Compilers' and win some money. Additionally, placing a bet on your favorite event makes the game or race exciting and more enjoyable. Betting is done through Sportsbooks (US) or Bookmakers (UK) entities that accept bets. You can bet on the outcome of several sporting events, such as Baseball, Basketball, Boxing, Football, Golf, Hockey, Horse Racing, Auto/Motor Racing, Dog Racing, Rugby Union, Tennis, Snooker, Soccer and Politics. To place a sports bet, you go to a sportsbook, physical or online. You could also bet over the phone with many sportsbooks. Once accepted bets cannot be cancelled or amended in any way. All bets must be made and accepted, before the start of the game/event wagered. If any event is postponed, rescheduled, and/or relocated before the start of the event, that said event will automatically result in "No Action" and your funds will be returned.
Rules
You need to state what you are betting on by making a selection, the type of bet and the amount you are wagering. Your selection will obviously depend on the odds offered, so you will want to examine the range of odds available before you make a decision. There are many types of bets you can place. Sportsbooks may offer more betting varieties and combinations than others. On-line betting services offers you total flexibility to wager, check your account status or find out the latest odds. Whatever your sport, it is likely that they will offer odds on it.
Handicapping
The difficult art of predicting the winner of a horse race is called handicapping. The process of handicapping involves evaluating the demonstrated abilities of a horse in light of the conditions under which it will be racing on a given day. To gauge these abilities, handicappers use past performances, detailed published records of preceding races. These past performances indicate the horse's speed, its ability to win, and whether the performances tend to be getting better or worse. The conditions under which the horse will be racing include the quality of the competition in the race, the distance of the race, the type of racing surface (dirt or grass), and the current state of that surface (fast, sloppy, and so on). The term handicapping also has a related but somewhat different meaning: in some races, varying amounts of extra weight are assigned to horses based on age or ability in order to equalize the field.
Sports Betting Options
Straight bet or Single
This is the simplest and most common bet. You bet on a winner at given odds.
Point Spread
This bet lets you bet on a winner from two selections who have been made equal by allocating appropriate points to the underdog team. The Point Spread is the number of points allocated and is shown with a “+” sign for the favorite and a “-“ sign for the underdog. The favorite has to win by more than the Point Spread for you to win, otherwise you lose your bet even if the team wins. Inversely, if you bet for the underdog, that team has to lose by less than the Point Spread for you to win. If the favorite wins by the exact Point Spread, then it is a push or a tie. You get your bet back. To eliminate a tie result, the oddsmakers sometimes include a half point spread. Since scores use full numbers only, one team has to win outright.
For example, say the Indiana Pacers are favored to beat the New York Knicks by a point spread of 6. That means that if you pick the Pacers to win, they have to win by more than 6 points for you to win your wager. If they win by fewer than 6 points or lose the game, you lose your wager. If they win by exactly 6 points (the point spread), the result is a push or tie. That means that you don't win or lose, your original wager is refunded.
Buy Points
Also, to buy Key Points. Move the Point Spread favorably at a price. You may buy points on Straight, If Wager or Parlays.
The Moneyline
This establishes the odds for each team but inversely proportional to what would have been a Point Spread, and is indicated by a “+” for the underdog and a “-“ sign for the favorite.
Say team A is favorite and quoted at “-180” and B is the underdog at “+ 120”. The bets offered would be “10:18” odds-on for the favorite, and “12:10” for the underdog. For every $180 you bet on A you would win $100 or lose $180, but for every $100 you bet on B you would win $120 or lose $100.
Total
A bet for the number of points scored in the game by both teams combined, including points scored in overtime.
Over/Under
A bet that the combined number of points scored by the two teams in the game will be Over or Under the total set by the oddsmaker.
Parlay or Accumulator
A multiple bet. A kind of 'let-it-ride' bet. Making simultaneous selections on two or more games with the intent of pressing the winnings of the first win on the bet of the following game selected, and so on. All the selections made must win for you to win the parlay. If a game is a tie, postponed or cancelled, your parlay is automatically reduced by one selection (a double parlay becomes a straight bet, a triple parlay becomes a double).
Teaser
It is like a parlay, but with the option to add or subtract points (called “moving the line”) from one or more Spread bets. When betting a teaser additional points are either added to the underdog or subtracted from the favorite. The odds vary according to the number of points the spread is moved and the number of teams combined to form the teaser. As in the parlay, all selections must win for the teaser to win. Teasers odds are usually worse than the Parlays.
If Wager
A bet that allows the bettor to make a second wager, up to an equal amount, pending a win on the first selection.
Open Wager
Open wagers allow the bettor to play teasers or parlays making a selection at different times and even different days.
Future
A bet on a future event. At the start of each season, the sportsbooks give out odds for teams to win a certain championship. The odds change as the game date approaches and in most cases get shorter, but if you win you get paid at the original odds that you took. This is possibly one of the most profitable bets if you have considerable knowledge of the sport that you are betting on including the players, and a good sense of judgement.
Exotic Bets
Betting on unusual events. Some sportsbooks post odds and take bets on a wide variety of other sports related events and activities. A few others will take bets on just about anything you can think of.
Proposition Bet or Prop Bet.
An offer of bets at odds and conditions chosen by the sportsbook, usually on 'Exotic' bets. They can cover a wide range of results and occurrences within the game e.g. total offensive yards, total first downs, longest scoring play, time of first score etc.
Quarter Lines/ Half Lines
Wagering on the outcome of a specific quarter/ first half/ 2nd half of a particular event.
Round Robins
A Round Robin by definition is the combination of all possible parlays with the chosen amount of teams. You can choose from 3 or more teams in a Round Robin, from which a combination of all designated parlays will be calculated. The customer has a choice to designate whether he/she wants the round robin to include only the 2-team parlay combinations; 2 and 3 team parlay combinations; 2, 3 and 4 team parlay combinations, etc. The maximum risk in a Round Robin is calculated by multiplying the maximum number of parlays by the dollar amount you want for each parlay.
Racetrack Betting Options
Win or Straight bet or Single
This is that most basic bet that a bet that the chosen horse will finish in first place. You collect only if your chosen horse is the first across the finish line.
Place
This is a bet that the chosen horse will finish first or second.
Show
This is a bet that the chosen horse will finish first, second, or third.
Daily Double
This is a bet on the first place position in two consecutive races, generally the first two of the day. Bettor must correctly pick both races to win.
Daily Triple/Pick Three
This is a bet on the first place position in three consecutive races.
Pick Six
This is a bet on the first place position of six consecutive races, generally the last six. If the event nobody wins the winning pool is split between those correctly picking five (or less if nobody picked five) and a carryover to the next pick six pool.
Exacta or Straight Forecast
This bet is on the first and second place horses in a given race in the correct order.
Quinella or Reverse Forecast
This is bet is on the first and second place horse in a given race in any order.
Trifecta or Treble Forecast
This bet is on the first, second, and third places in a given race in the correct order.
Twin Trifecta
This is a pair of trifecta bets on two races. The winning pool is split between winners of the first trifecta and winners of both of them. After the first race winners of that trifecta should redeem their tickets for winnings from first half of the pool and a ticket for the second half.
Superfecta
This bet is on the first, second, third, and fourth places in a given race in the correct order.
Heinz
The Heinz is a step up again and takes its name from the fact that it covers fifty-seven bets for six selections. The bet is made up of fifteen doubles, twenty trebles, fifteen four folds, six five folds and one six fold.
Goliath
The Goliath covers eight selections and generates a massive two hundred and forty seven bets. That's twenty-eight doubles, fifty six trebles, seventy four folds, fifty six five folds, twenty eight six folds, eight seven folds and one eight fold. If they all come in with a decent wager down then you will be a very happy person indeed.
Jackpot
Pick six winners in six races to share in a Jackpot prize. The rules and prizes will vary from race track to race track.
Parlay or Accumulator
A multiple bet. A kind of 'let-it-ride' bet. Making simultaneous selections on two or more games with the intent of pressing the winnings of the first win on the bet of the following game selected, and so on. All the selections made must win for you to win the parlay. If a game is a tie, postponed or cancelled, your parlay is automatically reduced by one selection (a double parlay becomes a straight bet, a triple parlay becomes a double).
Future
A bet on a future event. At the start of each season, the sportsbooks give out odds for teams to win a certain championship. The odds change as the game date approaches and in most cases get shorter, but if you win you get paid at the original odds that you took. This is possibly one of the most profitable bets if you have considerable knowledge of the sport that you are betting on including the players, and a good sense of judgement.
Exotic Bets
Betting on unusual events. Some sportsbooks post odds and take bets on a wide variety of other sports related events and activities. A few others will take bets on just about anything you can think of.
Proposition Bet or Prop Bet.
An offer of bets at odds and conditions chosen by the sportsbook, usually on 'Exotic' bets. They can cover a wide range of results.
Odd/Even
This is an uncommon bet based on the number of the winning horse.
Dog Betting Options
Straight bet or Single or Win bet. This is the simplest and most common bet. You bet on a winner at given odds. You collect only if your chosen greyhound is the first across the finish line. Place. A wager for place means you collect if your selected greyhound finishes either first or second. Show. The third greyhound across the finish line. A wager to show means you collect if your selected greyhound finishes either first, second or third. Across The Board. You make three individual bets on one dog to Win, Place, and Show. If your selection wins, you collect on all three bets. If your selection runs second, you collect on Place and Show bets. If your selection runs third, you collect the Show bet. Your total wager will be three times the individual bet. For example; a $2 "Across The Board" bet would cost $6. Combination Bet. Combinations cover from two to four greyhounds to win in chosen order. Quiniela or Reverse Forecast (UK). A bet placed on two greyhounds to finish first and second in either order. Perfecta or Exacta or Straight Forecast (UK). A bet placed on two greyhounds but they must cross the finish line in exact chosen order. Trifecta or Tricast or Treble Forecast (UK). A bet placed on three greyhounds to cross the finish line in exact chosen order. Superfecta. A bet placed on four greyhounds to cross the finish line in exact chosen order. Twin Trifecta. A multiple pool bet. Two trifecta selections in two races. You select the winning Trifecta combination in one race and exchange that ticket for a second Trifecta in the following race. One-half of the net Twin Trifecta pool will be paid equally to winners of the first half when those tickets are presented to be exchanged. The remaining half of the pool, along with any carry over will be to winners of the second half. If no one selects the second half correctly, the pool is carried over to the next racing performance. Tri-Super. Similar to the Twin Trifecta. You select the winning Trifecta combination in one race and exchange that ticket for a Superfecta in the following race. Titanic Tri-Super. This operates the same as the Tri-Super, except you must correctly select the Trifecta combination in the 5th Race and the Superfecta in the 7th Race. Daily Double. Similar to an accumulator you select the winners of the first and second races on that day. You must place your bet before the start of the first race. Jackpot. Pick six winners in six races to share in a Jackpot prize. The rules and prizes will vary from race track to race track. Parlay or Accumulator. A multiple bet. A kind of "let-it-ride" bet. Making simultaneous selections on two or more races with the intent of pressing the winnings of the first win on the bet of the following race selected, and so on. All the selections made must win for you to win the parlay. If a race is a tie, postponed or cancelled, your parlay is automatically reduced by one selection; a double parlay becomes a straight bet, a triple parlay becomes a double. A parlay bet can yield huge dividends if won. Pick 3. Picking the winners of three consecutive races. Pick 6. Picking the winners of six consecutive races.
Sports & Racebooks Glossary
Ajax - UK slang term for "Betting Tax". All Up also Accumulator - This involves picking the winners of more than one event. A single wager amount is placed on more than one outcome, whereby the stake and winnings of the first selection will be rolled over into the second selection and so on. Ante Post also Futures - Bets placed in advance predicting the outcome of a future event. Ante-post prices are those on major sporting events, usually prior to the day of the event itself. In return for the chance of better odds, punters risk the fact that stakes are not returned if their selection pulls out or is cancelled. Arbitrage - Where a variation in odds available allows a punter to back both sides and guarantee a win. Backed - A "backed" team is one on which lots of bets have been placed. Banker - Highly expected to win. The strongest in a multiple selection in a parlay or accumulator. In permutation bets the banker is a selection that must win to guarantee any returns. Bar Price - Refers to the odds of the selections at the last quoted price and bigger. The bar price is the minimum odds for any of those selections not quoted. For example, in a large field, the Serie A outright markets may read Juventus 3/1, AC Milan 7/2, Inter Milan 4/1, Lazio 5/1, 8/1 Bar - meaning every other side is quoted at 8/1 or bigger. Beard (US) - A friend or acquaintance or other contact who is used to placing bets so that the bookmakers will not know the identity of the actual bettor. Many top handicappers and persons occupying sensitive positions use this method of wagering. Beeswax - UK slang term for betting tax. Also known as "Bees" or "Ajax". Betting Tax - Tax on a Bookmaker's turnover. Bettor (US) - Someone who places or has a bet. A "Punter" in the UK. Book - A bookmaker's tally of amounts bet on each competitor, and odds necessary to assure him of profit. Running a "book" is the act of quoting odds and accepting bets on an event and the person doing it is called the "Bookmaker". Bookie - Short for bookmaker. The person or shop who accepts bets. Bookmaker - Person who is licensed to accept bets on the result of an event based on their provision of odds to the customer. Bottle - UK slang, odds of 2 to 1. Bridge-Jumper (US) - Bettor who specializes in large show bets on odd-on favourites. Buck also known as a Dollar Bet - A bet of US$ 100. Burlington Bertie - The price of 100-30. Buy Price - In Spread or Index betting, the higher figure quoted by an Index bookmaker. Buy the Rack (US) - Purchase every possible daily-double or other combination ticket. Canadian - Also known as a Super Yankee. A Canadian is a combination bet consisting of 26 bets with 5 selections in different events. The combination bet is made up of 10 doubles, 10 trebles, five 4-folds and one 5-fold. Carpet also known as Tres or Gimmel - UK slang for Odds of 3 to 1. Century also known as a Ton - GB 100. Chalk - The favored team. Chalk Player - Bettor on favourites. Circled Game - A game where the maximum bet is limited. The sportsbook or bookmaker puts a limit on the amount of action they are prepared to take on the game. This is most often due to doubts about key players, in games that feature key injuries, inclement weather, or unsubstantiated rumors regarding a team. Closing Line - The final list of point spreads offered before game time. Combination Bet - Selecting any number of teams/horses to finish first and second in either order. Cover - To bet the spread by the required number of points. Credit Betting - Betting using credit with a bookmaker. Dead Hit - Finishing equal. Both win. Deposit Betting - Betting with money deposited in advance with a bookmaker. Dime bet - A $1000 wager. Dividend - The agreed payout or return on any bet. Dog (US) - The underdog in any betting proposition. Dog Player (US) - A bettor who mainly wagers on the underdog. Dollar Bet - A $100 wager. Double(s) - A twin bet on two separate specified events or two parts of the same event. A form of parlay or accumulator. Double Carpet - UK slang for Odds of 33 to 1, based on Carpet. Double or Nothing - An even-money bet, a bet that pays off exactly the amount wagered. Draw - Where competitors in an event finish evenly. Where there is a draw and this is not offered as a betting option, the return will be divided by the number of joint winners. Note that some sports have processes such as extra-time or play-offs to determine an event winner that are included as part of the bet where others are not. This may affect some bets and you should always be sure how an event would be decided in this instance. Drift - Odds that "Lengthen", are said to have drifted, or be "On the Drift". Each Way - UK term for betting on a team or individual to win and/or "Place". The bet is automatically split into two, 50:50 and the odds for each bet are different. If your selection wins, the Place bet wins automatically. Therefore, you could win either both bets or Place only. Even Money - A 1:1 odds bet. A $1 stake would return $2 dividend ($1 win plus $1 staked). Favorite/Favourite - The team or individual the sportsbooks rate most likely to win that contest or event. Typically it has the most money bet on it. Field - 1) All the individual competitors in an event. 2) Odds offered on non listed (outsiders) players or teams collectively called the Field. Fixed Game - A game in which one or more participants willfully manipulate the final outcome of a game. Fixed Odds - Your dividend is fixed at the odds when you placed your bet. No matter how much the odds fluctuate the odds at the time you placed your bet are fixed and written on the ticket. Your dividend for winning is paid at the value stated on your ticket, no matter what happens after you have placed your bet. Flag - A bet consisting of 23 bets (a "Yankee" plus 6 "Single Stakes About" bets in pairs) on 4 selections in different event. Flash (US) - Change of odds information on tote board. Fold - When preceded by a number, a fold indicates the number of selections in an accumulator (e.g. 5 Fold = 5 selections). Forecast - A wager that involves correctly predicting the 1st and 2nd for a particular event. This bet can be straight, reversed or permed. Full Cover - All the doubles, trebles and accumulators involved in a given number of selections. Futures - Bets placed in advance predicting the outcome of a future event. Goliath - A Goliath is a multiple bet consisting of 247 bets involving 8 selections in different events. The multiple bet breakdown is 28 doubles, 56 trebles, 70x4-folds, 56x5-folds, 28x6-folds, 8x7-folds and one 8-fold. Grand - GB 1,000 (also known as a Big'un). Grand Salami - A slang word for the over/under total for the combined score of all the hockey contests on the schedule for that day. Grand Slam - The four major tennis tournaments Wimbledon, Australian Open, French Open, U.S. Open. Also the four major golf tournaments The Masters, U.S. Open, British Open, PGA Championship (Professional Golf Association). Also in baseball, a homerun with the bases loaded, scoring four runs. Handicap - Spread. Hang Cheng - The Asian equivalent for "Point Spread". Heinz - A Heinz is a multiple bet consisting of 57 bets involving 6 selections in different events. The multiple bet breakdown is 15 doubles, 20 trebles, 15x4-folds, 6x5-folds and one 6-fold. Home Field Advantage - Edge the home team is expected to have as a result of familiarity with the playing area, favorable demographics and effect of travel on the visiting team. Hoops - Slang word used to indicate the game of basketball. IBF - International Boxing Federation. In and Out Teaser - An "in and out teaser" is when the player picks the favorite, underdog, over and under of the same game. For example: NY +3 1/2, Dallas -3 1/2. An in and out teaser would have a player take both NY and Dallas, and tease both, to increase the odds of winning the wager. So, if you teased both teams by 7 points, you would have: NY +10 1/2, Dallas +3 1/2. So long as the spread is covered, your wager will be a win. Index Betting - Spread betting. In The Red - Odds on. Joint Favorites - When a sportsbook or bookmaker cannot split two teams for favoritism, they may both be joint favorites. Jolly - Bookmakers slang for 'Favorite/Favourite'. Juice - The bookmaker's commission, also known as vigorish or vig. Kite - UK slang for a cheque ('Check' in the US). Lay a Bet - A bookie accepting a bet. Layer - Another term for Bookie. Layoff - A bookmaker's bet with another bookmaker made in order to help equalize the excess action he has accepted from his customers. LBO - Acronym for "Licensed Betting Office" in the UK. Lengthen - The opposite of Shorten. Referred to odds getting longer, that is, more attractive to the bettor. Lines - Odds offered to the punter. Linemaker - One who compiles or sets the original or subsequent betting lines. Lock - US term for an almost certain winner. Easy winner. Long Odds - Generally greater than 10:1. Lucky 15 - A Lucky 15 consists of 15 bets involving 4 selections in different events, i.e. 4 singles, 6 doubles, 4 trebles, and 1 fourfold. As a consolation if you only have one winner it will be paid at double the odds. If you get all four winners, a 10% bonus will be added to your returns. Lucky 31 - A Lucky 31 consists of 31 bets involving 5 selections in different events, i.e. 5 singles, 10 doubles, 10 trebles, 5 four-folds plus 1 five-fold. . As a consolation if you only have one winner it will be paid at double the odds. If you get all five winners, a 20% bonus will be added to your returns. Lucky 63 - A Lucky 63 consists of 63 bets involving 6 selections in different events, i.e. 6 singles, 15 doubles, 20 trebles, 15 four-folds, 6 five-folds and 1 six-fold. As a consolation if you only have one winner it will be paid at double the odds. If you get all six winners, a 25% bonus will be added to your returns. Margin - The amount a competitor in an event finishes in front of another competitor. MLB - Major League Baseball. Money Line - The amount that must be wagered to win $100, or the amount won for a $100 wager. MVP - Most Valuable Player. Nap - A newspaper corrospondents best bet of the day. Reputed to stand for "Napoleon". NBA - National Basketball Association. NCAA - National Collegiate Athletic Association. NFL - National Football League. NHL - National Hockey League. Nickel - A $500 wager. Odds - The sportsbook's or bookmaker's view of the chance of a competitor winning (adjusted to include a profit). Odds-against - Where the odds are greater than evens (e.g. 5 to 2). Odds Compiler - Same as Oddsmaker below. Odds-on - An Odds-on bet has a Minus sign in front and is worked out in reverse. It is the amount you wager to win $100. In the U.K. it is a bet on odds below evens 1:1. In Europe, it is a bet on odds below 2:1. Oddsmaker - A person who sets the betting odds. Off the Board (US) - A game or event on which the sporstbook will not accept action. Outsiders - Those contestants that are not expected to win. The opposite to the favorite, usually offered at lengthy odds. Over/Under - A bet on whether the total points or goals scored by the two teams will be over or under a specified number. Parlay also Accumulator - A multiple bet. A kind of "let-it-ride" bet. Making simultaneous selections on two or more games with the intent of pressing the winnings of the first win on the bet of the following game selected, and so on. All the selections made must win for you to win the parlay. Patent - A Patent consists of 7 bets involving 3 selections in different events, i.e. a single on each selection, plus 3 doubles and 1 treble. Permutations - To "perm" selections. For example, if you have made 3 selections (A, B and C) you can "perm" all the possible doubles. In this case all the doubles possible are AB, AC, and BC; a total of 3 individual bets, or lines. Similarly, if you have made 4 selections (A, B, C and D) you can also "perm" all the possible doubles from these four. Now the doubles are AB, AC, AD, BC, BD, CD; a total of 6 individual bets, or lines. Picks - Betting selections, usually by an expert. PK or Pick - Evenly matched teams. Place - Finish in the top three, top four and sometimes also top five in a competition or event. A Place bet will win if the selection you bet on is among those placed. Different sportsbooks have different Place terms and you should check their rules before placing a bet. Point Spread also Handicap - The points allocated to the underdog to level the odds with the favorite/favourite. Price - The odds. Pucks - A slang word used to indicate the game of hockey. Punter - Bettor. Push - A game that is tied when the point spread is factored in. Return - Your total winnings on a bet. Round Robin - A bet consisting of 10 bets (3 pairs of Single Stakes About bets plus 3 doubles and 1 treble) involving three selections in different events. (US, A series of three or more teams into two-team wagers). Scalper - One who attempts to profit from the differences in odds from book to book by betting both sides of the same game at different prices. Shorten - The opposite of Lengthen. Referred to odds getting shorter, that is, less attractive to the bettor. Shut Out (US) - What happens to a bettor who gets on the betting line to late and is still waiting in line when the window closes. Also, in sports betting, when the losing team do not score. Single - A Straight bet on one selection to win one race or event, also known as a straight-up bet. Single Stakes About (or SSA) - A bet consisting of 2 bets on two selections (1 single on each selection any to come 1 single on the other selection reversed). Sportsbook - The person, shop or website who accepts bets. Spread - Point Spread. Spread Betting also Action Line or Money Line - The amount that must be wagered to win $100, or the amount won for a $100 wager. A bet is won or lost according to whether you correctly predict the result of an event (also known as action line or money line). Returns or losses are calculated in proportion to how right or wrong the bettor is, and can lead to huge returns or losses. Stanley Cup - Championship of Hockey. Steam - When a betting line starts to move quite rapidly, usually caused by many bettors betting on it. Store (US) - A sportsbook or a bookie. Super Bowl - NFL Championship game. Super Heinz - A Super Heinz consists of 120 bets involving 7 selections in different events, i.e. 21 doubles, 35 trebles, 35 four-folds, 21 five-folds, 7 six-folds and 1 seven-fold. Super Yankee - Alternative name for a multiple bet known as Canadian, a Super Yankee is a Yankee type bet with five selections instead of four.
System - A method of betting, usually mathematically based, used by a punter or bettor to try to get an advantage. Teaser - A bet on two or more teams where the bettor can add or subtract points from the spread to make their bets stronger in return for reduced odds. All results must match the selections to win the teaser. Thick'un - A big bet. Tie - A push, stand-off or a draw. Tips - Picks. The selections and predictions of competitors performance for an event from an expert or observer. Totals - Sports bet on whether the combined number of points or goals scored by the two teams will be over/under a given mark. Tote - Short for Totalisator. A system introduced to Britain in 1929 to offer pool betting on racecourses. Trebles - A triple bet on three events. A form of parlay or accumulator. Trixie - A Trixie consists of 4 bets involving 3 selections in different events, i.e. 3 doubles plus 1 treble. True Odds - The real odds of something happening as opposed to what the bookies offer. Two and Three Balls Betting - A golfing bet that involves predicting which player from either a group of two or three will shoot the lowest score over 18 holes. Underdog - The team that receives a point start in a handicap. Union Jack - A bet consisting of 8 trebles on 9 selections A to I: ABC, DEF, GHI, ADG, BEH, CFI, AEI, and CEG. Value - Getting the best odds on a wager. Vigorish - The commission paid to the bookmaker. VS - Versus, against. WBA - World Boxing Association. WBC - World Boxing Council. Welsh/Welch - To fail to pay a gambling bet. Win Only - Betting on a competitor to win an event. Wise Guy - A knowledgeable handicapper or bettor. WNBA - Womens National Basketball Association. World Series - Championship of Major League Baseball (MLB). The final seven games of the baseball playoffs between the two league champions to determine the world champion. Yankee - The term used for a bet that consists of four selections, combining them into six doubles, four trebles and one fourfold - i.e. eleven bets.
Horse Racing Glossary
Abandoned - A race meeting which has been cancelled because a club did not receive sufficient nominations to be able to stage it, or because of bad weather which made racing on the track unsafe. All bets placed on abandoned races are fully refunded. Acceptor - A runner officially listed to start in a race. Accumulator also Parlay - A multiple bet. A single stake is used to generate two or more bets in succession. A kind of "let-it-ride" bet. Making simultaneous selections on two or more races with the intent of pressing the winnings of the first win on the bet of the following race selected, and so on. All the selections made must win for you to win the accumulator. The punter makes a series of selections each from a different race or event. Every time a selection wins, the stake plus winnings is put onto the next selection. If any selection loses, the whole bet is lost. Accumulators are also known as doubles, trebles, four-folds, five-folds, six-folds, ten-folds, etc. Ten-folds accumulator is a 10 selections bet of 10 events. Across The Board - A bet on a horse to win, place or show. Three wagers combined in one. If the horse wins, the player wins all three wagers, if second, two, and if third, one. Age - All thoroughbreds count January 1 as their birth date. Ajax - UK slang term for "Betting Tax". All-age Race - A race for two-year-olds and up. All Out - A horse who is trying to the best of his ability. Allowances - Reductions in weights to be carried allowed because of certain conditions such as; an apprentice jockey is on a horse, a female horse racing against males, or three-year-olds racing against older horses. All Weather Racing - Racing that takes place on an artificial surface. Also Ran - Any selection not finishing 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th in a race or event.
Amateur (rider) - on racecards, their names are prefixed by Mr, Mrs, Captain, etc, to indicate their amateur status. Ante Post - Bets placed in advance predicting the outcome of a future event. Ante-post prices are those on major sporting events, usually prior to the day of the event itself. In return for the chance of better odds, punters risk the fact that stakes are not returned if their selection pulls out or is cancelled. Apprentice - A trainee jockey. An apprentice will usually ride only flat races. Approximates - The approximate price a horse is quoted at before a race begins. Bookmakers use these approximates as a guide to set their boards. Arbitrage - Where a variation in odds available allows a punter to back both sides and guarantee a win. ART - Artificial Turf. ATS - Against The Spread. AWT - All weather track. Baby Race - A race for two-year-olds. Back - To bet or wager. Backed - A Backed horse is one on which lots of bets have been placed. Backed-In - A horse which is backed-in means that bettors have outlaid a lot of money on that horse, with the result being a decrease in the odds offered. Back Marker - In a standing start event, which is handicapped, the horse who is given the biggest handicap is known as the backmarker. Backstretch - The straight way on the far side of the track. Back Straight - The straight length of the track farthest away from the spectators and the winning post. Backward - A horse that is either too young or not fully fit. Bar Price - Refers to the odds of those runners in a race not quoted with a price during early betting shows. The bar price is the minimum odds for any of those selections not quoted. Barrier - A starting device used in steeple chasing consisting of an elastic band stretched across the racetrack which retracts when released. Barrier Draw - The ballot held by the race club to decide which starting stall each runner will occupy. Bat also Stick - A jockey's whip. Beard (US) - A friend or acquaintance or other contact who is used to placing bets so that the bookmakers will not know the identity of the actual bettor. Many top handicappers and persons occupying sensitive positions use this method of wagering. Bearing In (Out) - Failing to maintain a straight course, veering to the left or right. Can be caused by injury, fatigue, outside distraction, or poor riding. Beeswax - UK slang term for betting tax. Bell Lap - In harness racing, the last lap of a race, signified by the ringing of the bell. Bet - A transaction in which monies are deposited or guaranteed. Betting Board - A board used by the bookmaker to display the odds of the horses engaged in a race. Betting Ring - The main area at a racecourse where the bookmakers operate. Betting Tax - Tax on a Bookmaker's turnover. In the UK this is a "Duty" levied on every Pound wagered. Common methods of recouping this by the punter are to deduct tax from returns (winnings) or to pay tax with the stake/wager. In the latter case, no tax is deducted from the punter's winnings. Bettor (US) - Someone who places or has a bet. A Punter in the UK. Beyer Number - A handicapping tool, popularized by author Andrew Beyer, assigning a numerical value to each race run by a horse based on final time and track condition. This enables different horses running at different racetracks to be objectively compared. Bismarck - A favourite which the bookmakers do not expect to win. Black-type - Boldface type (printed in bold). Horses that have won or been placed are printed in boldface in the listing to easily distinguish them from the rest. Designation for a stakes winner or stakes-placed horse in a sales catalogue. Blanket Finish - When the horses finish so close to the winning line you could theoretically put a single blanket across them. Blind Bet - A bet made by a racetrack bookmaker on another horse to divert other bookmakers attention away from his sizeable betting on his/her main horse thus to avoid a shortening of the odds on the main horse. Blinkers - A cup-shaped device applied over the sides of the horse's head near his eyes to limit his vision. This helps to prevent him from swerving away from distracting objects or other horses on either side of him. Blinker cups come in a variety of sizes and shapes to allow as little or as much vision as the trainer feels is appropriate. Board - Short for Tote Board on which odds, betting pools and other race information are displayed. Bomb(er) - A winning horse sent off at very high odds. Book - A bookmaker's tally of amounts bet on each competitor, and odds necessary to assure him of profit. Running a book is the act of quoting odds and accepting bets on an event and the person doing it is called the Bookmaker. Bookie - Short for bookmaker. The person or shop who accepts bets. Bookmaker - Person who is licensed to accept bets on the result of an event based on their provision of odds to the customer. Bottle - UK slang, odds of 2 to 1. Box - A wagering term denoting a combination bet whereby all possible numeric combinations are covered. Boxed (in) - To be trapped between other horses. Bobble - A bad step away from the starting gate, sometimes caused by the ground breaking away from under a horse and causing him to duck his head or go to his knees. Bolt - Sudden veering from a straight course. Book - A collection of all the bets taken on fixed odds betting events. Bookmaker (Bookie) - A person registered and licensed to bet with the public. Breakage - Those pennies that are left over in pari-mutuel payoffs which are rounded out to a nickel or dime. Breeder Cup - Thoroughbred racing's year-end championship. Known as Breeder Cup Day, it consists of eight races conducted on one day at a different racetrack each year with purses and awards totalling $13 million. First run in 1984. Bridge-Jumper (US) - Bettor who specializes in large show bets on odd-on favourites. Buck (US) - A bet of US$ 100 (also known as a Dollar Bet). Bug Boy - An apprentice rider. Bull Ring - Small racetrack less than one mile around. Burkington Bertie - 100/30. Buy Price - In Spread or Index betting, the higher figure quoted by an Index bookmaker. Buy the Rack (US) - Purchase every possible daily-double or other combination ticket. Canadian - Also known as a Super Yankee. A Canadian is a combination bet consisting of 26 bets with 5 selections in different events. The combination bet is made up of 10 doubles, 10 trebles, five 4-folds and one 5-fold. Card - Another term for fixture or race meeting. Carpet - UK slang for Odds of 3 to 1. Caulk - Projection on the bottom of a shoe to give the horse better traction, especially on a wet track. Chalk - Wagering favorite in a race. Dates from the days when on-track bookmakers would write current odds on a chalkboard. Chalk Player - Bettor who wagers on favorites. Checked - A horse pulled up by his jockey for an instant because he is cut off or in tight quarters. Chute - Extension of the backstretch or homestretch to allow a longer straight run. Client (US) - Purchaser of betting information from horseman or other tipster. Close (US) - Final odds on a horse (e.g. closed at 5 to 1). Closer - A horse that runs best in the latter part of the race (closing race), coming from off the pace. Co-Favorites - Where three or more competitors share the status as favorite. Colors (Colours) - Racing silks, the jacket and cap worn by jockeys. Silks can be generic and provided by the track or specific to one owner. Colt - An ungelded (entire) male horse four-years-old or younger. Combination Bet - Selecting any number of teams/horses to finish first and second in either order. Conditional Jockey - Same as Apprentice but also allowed to jump. Correct Weight - Horses are allocated a weight to carry that is checked before and, for at least the placegetters, after a race. Correct weight must be signaled before bets can be paid out. Daily Double - Type of wager calling for the selection of winners of two consecutive races, usually the first and second. Daily Racing Form - A daily newspaper containing racing information including news, past performance data and handicapping. Daily Triple - A wager where the bettor must select the winner of three consecutive races. Dead Heat - A tie. Two or more horses finishing equal in a race. Dead Track - Racing surface lacking resiliency. Declaration Of Weights - The publication of weights allocated to each horse nominated for a race by the handicapper. Declared - In the United States, a horse withdrawn from a stakes race in advance of scratch time. In Europe, a horse confirmed to start in a race. Deductions - When a horse is scratched from a race after betting on that race has already started, deductions are taken out of the win and place bets at a rate in proportion to the odds of the scratched horse. Derby - A stakes event for three-year-olds. Distance - The length of a race: 5 furlongs is the minimum and the 4 1/2 miles of the Grand National the longest. Also, the margin by which a horse wins or is beaten by the horse in front; this ranges from a short head to by a distance (more than 30 lengths); a length is measured from the horse's nose to the start of its tail. Distanced - Well beaten, finishing a long distance behind the winner. Dividend - The amount that a winning or placed horse returns for every $1 bet by the bettor. Dog (US) - The underdog in any betting proposition. Dog Player (US) - A bettor who mainly wagers on the underdog. Double - Selecting the winners in two specific races. Double Carpet - UK slang for Odds of 33 to 1. Draw - Refers to a horse's placing in the starting stalls. For flat racing only. Stall numbers are drawn at random. Drift - Odds that Lengthen, are said to have drifted, or be On The Drift. Driving - Strong urging by rider. Dual Forecast - A tote bet operating in races of 3 or more declared runners in which the punter has to pick the first two to finish in either order. Each Way - UK term for betting on a horse to win and/or Place. An each way bet is when you have the same amount on the horse for a win and for a place. Bookmakers will give you one quarter of the win odds for a place in fields of eight or more and one third of the win odds in fields of six or seven horses. Each Way Double - Two separate bets of a win double and a place double. Each Way Single - Two bets. The first is for the selection to win; the second for it to be placed (each way). Eclipse Award - Thoroughbred racing's year-end awards, honoring the top horses in 11 separate categories. Enclosure - The area where the Runners gather for viewing before and after the race. Equibase (Company) - A partnership between The Jockey Club and the Thoroughbred Racing Associations to establish and maintain an industry-owned, central database of racing records. Equibase past-performance information is used in track programs across North America. Equivalent Odds - Mutuel price horses would pay for each $1 bet. Evenly - Neither gaining nor losing position or distance during a race. Even Money Bet (or Evens) - A 1:1 bet. A $10 wager wins $10. Exacta - A wager that picks the first two finishers in a race in the exact order of finish. Exacta Box - A wager in which all possible combinations using a given number of horses are covered. Exotic (wager) - Any wager other than win, place or show. Exposure - The amount of money one actually stands to lose on a game or race. Extended - Forced to run at top speed. False Favorite - A horse that is a race favorite despite being outclassed by others. Faltered - A horse that was in contention early in the race but drops back in the late stages. Fast (track) - Optimum condition for a dirt track that is dry, even, resilient and fast. Favorite - The most popular horse in a race, which is quoted at the lowest odds because it is deemed to have the best chance of winning the race. Feature Races - Top races. Fence - The inside fence is the inside running rail around the race track, while the outside fence is the outside running rail. Field - 1) All the runners in a race. 2) Some sportsbooks or bookmakers may well group all the outsiders in a competition under the banner headline of Field and put it head to head with the favorite. This is known as favorite vs the field betting and is common in horse and golf betting. Field Horse - Two or more starters running as a single betting unit, when there are more entrants than positions on the totalisator board can accommodate. Filly - Female horse four-years-old or younger. Firm (track) - A condition of a turf course corresponding to fast on a dirt track. A firm, resilient surface. First Up - The first run a horse has in a new campaign or preparation. Fixed Odds - Your dividend is fixed at the odds when you placed your bet. Flag/Super Robin - A bet consisting of 23 bets on 4 selections in different events (6 Doubles, 4 Trebles, 1 Fourfold, plus 12 single stake cross bets). Flash (US) - Change of odds information on tote board. Flat race - Contested on level ground as opposed to a steeplechase. Flatten Out - When a horse drops his head almost in a straight line with his body, generally from exhaustion. Foal - A baby horse, usually refers to either a male or female horse from birth to January 1st of the following year. All racehorses are given the nominal birthday of January 1st. Thus a two-year-old born in June and one born in January of the same year are considered to be of the same age for the purposes of satisfying the conditions of some races re: weight carried. In reality, the January horse may be considered to have a significant advantage in terms of physical development at this early stage in its career. Fold - When preceded by a number, a fold indicates the number of selections in an accumulator (e.g. 5-Fold = 5 selections). Forecast - A wager that involves correctly predicting the 1st and 2nd for a particular event. This bet can be straight, reversed or permed. (USA, Perfecta or Exacta). Form - Statistics of previous performance and comment as to the expected current performance of a runner, useful in deciding which runner to bet on. Form Player - A bettor who makes selections from past-performance records. Front-runner - A horse whose running style is to attempt to get on or near the lead at the start of the race and stay there as long as possible. Frozen (track) - A condition of a racetrack where any moisture present is frozen. Full Cover - All the doubles, trebles and accumulators involved in a given number of selections. Furlong - One-eighth of a mile or 220 yards or 660 feet (approx. 200 meters). Futures - (Also, Ante Post) Bets placed in advance predicting the outcome of a future event. Gait - Harness horses are divided into two distinct groups, pacers or trotters, depending on their gait when racing. The gait is the manner in that a horse moves its legs when running. The pacer is a horse with a lateral gait, whereas a trotter or square-gaiter has a diagonal gait. Gate - Another term for barrier, or position a horse will start from. Gelding - A male horse that has been castrated. Gentleman Jockey - Amateur rider, generally in steeplechases. Get on - Have your bet accepted. Going - The condition of the racecourse (firm, heavy, soft, etc.). Official Jockey Club going reports progress as follows: Heavy - soft - good to soft - good - good to firm - firm. Good (track) - Condition between fast and slow, generally a bit wet. A dirt track that is almost fast or a turf course slightly softer than firm. Graded Race - Established in 1973 to classify select stakes races in North America, at the request of European racing authorities, who had set up group races two years earlier. Always denoted with Roman numerals I, II, or III. Capitalized when used in race title (the Grade I Kentucky Derby). Graduate - Winning for the first time. Green - An inexperienced horse. Group Race - An elite group of races. Established in 1971 by racing organizations in Britain, France, Germany and Italy to classify select stakes races outside North America. Collectively called Pattern Races. Equivalent to North American graded races. Always denoted with Arabic numerals 1, 2, or 3. Capitalized when used in race title (the Group 1 Epsom Derby). Hand - Four inches. A horse's height is measured in hands and inches from the top of the shoulder (withers) to the ground, e.g., 15.2 hands is 15 hands, 2 inches. Thoroughbreds typically range from 15 to 17 hands. Handicap - 1) Race for which the track handicapper assigns the weights to be carried. Each horse is allocated a different weight to carry, the theory being all horses then run on a fair and equal basis.. 2) To make selections on the basis of past performances. Handicapper - The official who decides the weights to be carried in handicap events, and the grading of horses and greyhounds. Hand Ride - The jockey urges a horse with the hands and arms without using the whip. Hard (track) - A condition of a turf course where there is no resiliency to the surface. Head - A margin between horses. One horse leading another by the length of its head. Head Of The Stretch - Beginning of the straight run to the finish line. Heavy (track) - Wettest possible condition of a turf course, similar to muddy but slower; not usually found in North America. Hedge - The covering of a bet with a second bet. Hedging - A bet made by a cautious bookie on a horse on which he has accepted large bets - in order to cut his losses if the horse wins (also known as a 'lay-off bet'). Heinz - A Heinz is a multiple bet consisting of 57 bets involving 6 selections in different events. The multiple bet breakdown is 15 doubles, 20 trebles, 15x4-folds, 6x5-folds and one 6-fold. High Weight - Highest weight assigned or carried in a race. Home Turn - The final turn a horse must travel around before entering the home straight in the run to the finish line. Horse - When reference is made to sex, a horse is an ungelded male five-years-old or older. Hung - A horse holding the same position, unable to make up distance on the winner. Impost - Weight carried or assigned. In Hand - Running under moderate control, at less than best pace. Inquiry - Reviewing the race to check into a possible infraction of the rules. Also, a sign flashed by officials on the tote board on such occasions. If lodged by a jockey, it is called an objection. In The Money - Describes the horses in a race that finish 1st, 2nd and 3rd (and sometimes 4th) or the horses on which money will be paid to bettors, depending on the place terms. In The Red - Are odds shown in red on the betting boards because they are Odds-On bets. Investor - A bettor. A person at a licensed race meeting who bets with a bookmaker or the totalisator, or a person not present at the meeting, but places bets on the horses engaged at that meeting with the off-course totalisator. Joint Favourites - When a sportsbook or bookmaker cannot separate two horses or teams for favouritism, they are made joint favourites. Judge - The person who declares the official placing for each race. Juice - The bookmaker's commission, also known as vigorish or vig. Jumper - Steeplechase or hurdle horse. Jolly - The favourite in a race. The horse with the shortest odds. Judge - The official who determines the finishing order of a race. Juvenile - Two-year-old horse. Key Horse - The main expected winning horse used in multiple combinations in an exotic wager. Kite - UK slang for a cheque. Late Double - A second daily double offered during the latter part of the program. Lay - Take a bet on, like a Bookmaker. Lay Off, Layoff - Bets made by one bookmaker with another bookmaker, in an effort to reduce his liability in respect of bets already laid by him with investors. LBO - Acronym for Licensed Betting Office in the UK. Leg In - To nominate one runner to win with a selection of other runners. This is possible on Forecast, Quinella, Trifecta, Quartet and Superfecta (eg. Quinella bet with selection 4 to win, from runners 5, 7, 8 and 9 to come second, in any order). Length - A measurement approximating the length of a horse from nose to tail, about 8 feet, used to denote distance between horses in a race. For example, "Secretariat won the Belmont by 31 lengths". Lengthen - The opposite of Shorten. Referred to odds getting longer, that is, more attractive to the bettor. Listed Race - A stakes race just below a group race or graded race in quality. Lock - US term for an almost certain winner. Easy winner. Long Odds - More than 10:1. Long Shot - A runner is often referred to as being a long shot, because of the fact it is returning high odds and is therefore deemed to have little chance of winning the race. Lug In (Out) - Action of a tiring horse, bearing in or out, failing to keep a straight course. Maiden - 1) A horse or rider that has not won a race. 2) A female that has never been bred. Maiden Race - A race for non-winners. Mare - Female horse five-years-old or older. Market - The list of all horses engaged in a race and their respective odds. Meeting - A collection of races conducted by a club on the same day or night forms a race meeting. Middle Distance - Broadly, from one mile to 1-1/8 miles. Mile Rate - In harness racing it is the approximate time a horse would have run per mile (1609 meters). Minus Pool - A mutuel pool caused when a horse is so heavily played that, after deductions of state tax and commission, there is not enough money left to pay the legally prescribed minimum on each winning bet. The racing association usually makes up the difference. Money Rider - A rider who excels in rich races. Morning Glory - Horse who performs well in morning workouts but fails to fire in actual races. Morning Line - Approximate odds quoted before wagering begins. Mudder - A horse that races well on muddy tracks. Also known as a 'Mudlark'. Muddy (track) - A condition of a racetrack which is wet but has no standing water. Nap - The selection that racing correspondents and tipsters nominate as their strongest selection of the day or meeting. Reputed to stand for Napoleon. National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) - A non-profit, membership organization created in 1997 to improve economic conditions and public interest in Thoroughbred racing. Neck - Unit of measurement about the length of a horse's neck. Nod - Lowering of head. To win by a nod, a horse extends its head with its nose touching the finish line ahead of a close competitor. Nominations - The complete list of runners entered by owners and trainers for a race. Non Runner - A horse that was originally meant to run but for some reason has been withdrawn from the race. Nose - Smallest advantage a horse can win by. Called a short head in Britain. Nursery - A handicap for two-year-old horses. Oaks - A stakes event for three-year-old fillies (females). Objection - Claim of foul lodged by rider, patrol judge or other official after the running of a race. If lodged by official, it is called an inquiry. Odds - The sportsbook's or bookmaker's view of the chance of a competitor winning (adjusted to include a profit). The figure or fraction by which a bookmaker or totalisator offers to multiply a bettor's stake, which the bettor is entitled to receive (plus his or her own stake) if their selection wins. Odds-against - Where the odds are greater than evens (e.g. 5 to 2). When the bookmaker's or totalisator's stake is greater than the bettor's stake. For example, a horse that is quoted at 4:1 would be odds against, because if it wins a race, the bookmaker or totalisator returns $4 for every dollar a bettor places on that horse, plus his or her original outlay. Odds Compiler - Same as Oddsmaker below. Oddsmaker - A person who sets the betting odds. (Sportsbooks or Bookies don't set the odds. Most major sportsbooks use odds set by Las Vegas oddsmakers.) Odds Man (US) - At tracks where computers are not in use, an employee who calculates changing odds as betting progresses. Odds-On - Odds of less than even money. This a bet where you have to outlay more than you win. For example if a horse is two to one Odds-On, you have to outlay two dollars to win one dollar and your total collect if the horse wins is three dollars. That is made up of your two dollars and the one dollar you win. Official - Sign displayed when result is confirmed. Also racing official. Off the Board (US) - A horse so lightly bet that its pari-mutuel odds exceed 99 to 1. Also, a game or event on which the bookie will not accept action. Off-Track Betting (OTB) - Wagering at legalized betting outlets. On The Board - Finishing among the first three. On The Nose - Betting a horse to win only. On tilt - Going on tilt is losing the ability to rationalise bets and betting wildly on every race. Open Ditch - Steeplechase jump with a ditch on the side facing the jockey. Outlay - The money a bettor wagers is called his or her outlay. Out Of The Money - A horse that finishes worse than third. Outsider - A horse that is not expected to win. An outsider is usually quoted at the highest odds. Overbroke - Where the book results in a loss for the bookmaker. Overlay - A horse going off at higher odds than it appears to warrant based on its past performances. Overnight Race - A race in which entries close a specific number of hours before running (such as 48 hours), as opposed to a stakes race for which nominations close weeks and sometimes months in advance. Over The Top - When a horse is considered to have reached its peak for that season. Overweight - Surplus weight carried by a horse when the rider cannot make the assigned weight. Pacesetter - The horse that is running in front (on the lead). Paddock - Area where horses are saddled and kept before post time. Panel - A slang term for a furlong. Parimutuel(s) - A form of wagering originated in 1865 by Frenchman Pierre Oller in which all money bet is divided up among those who have winning tickets, after taxes, takeout and other deductions are made. Oller called his system Parier Mutuel meaning Mutual Stake or betting among ourselves. As this wagering method was adopted in England it became known as Paris Mutuals, and soon after Parimutuels. Parlay - A multiple bet. A kind of let-it-ride bet. Making simultaneous selections on two or more races with the intent of pressing the winnings of the first win on the bet of the following race selected, and so on. All the selections made must win for you to win the parlay. Part Wheel - Using a key horse or horses in different, but not all possible, exotic wagering combinations. Pasteboard Track - A lightning fast racing surface. Patent - A multiple bet consisting of 7 bets involving 3 selections in different events. A single on each selection, plus 3 doubles and 1 treble. Penalty - A weight added to the handicap weight of a horse. Permutations - It is possible to Perm bets or selections (e.g. on 4 selections all the possible doubles could be Permed making 6 bets). Photo Finish - A photo is automatically taken as the horses pass the winning line and when the race is too close to be judged the photo is used to determine the order of finish. Picks - Betting selections, usually by an expert. Pick Six (or more) - A type of wager in which the winners of all the included races must be selected. Pitch - The position where a bookmaker conducts his business on a racecourse. Place - Finish in the top two, top three, top four and sometimes also top five in a competition or event. A Place bet will win if the selection you bet on is among those placed. Usually, a horse runs a place if it finishes in the first three in fields of eight or more horses. If there are only six or seven runners the horse must finish first or second to place. Different sportsbooks have different Place terms and you should check their rules before placing a bet. In US, 2nd place finish. Plater - Horse which usually runs in selling races. Point Spread Also Line or Handicap - The points allocated to the underdog to level the odds with the favorite/favourite. Pole(s) - Markers at measured distances around the track designating the distance from the finish. The quarter pole, for instance, is a quarter of a mile from the finish, not from the start. Pool - Mutuel pool, the total sum bet on a race or a particular bet. Post - 1) Starting point for a race. 2) An abbreviated version of post position. For example, "He drew post four". 3) As a verb, to record a win. For example, "He's posted 10 wins in 14 starts". Post Position - Position of stall in starting gate from which a horse starts. Post Time - Designated time for a race to start. Price - The odds. Protest - When a jockey, owner, trainer or steward alleges interference by one party against another during a race that may have affected the outcome of a race. If a protest is upheld by officials, the runner that caused the interference is placed directly after the horse interfered with. If a protest is dismissed by officials, the original result of the race stands. Punt - Another term for bet or wager. Punter - Bettor or investor. Pull Up - To stop or slow a horse during or after a race or workout. Quadrella - Selecting the winner of four specifically nominated races. Quiniela (Quinella) - Wager in which the first two finishers must be picked in either order. Payoff is made no matter which of the two wins and which runs second. Race Caller - The person who describes the race at a racecourse. Racecard - A programme for the day's racing. Rag - A rag or "The Rag" is the outsider in the field, usually offered at a favorable price in betting. Rail Runner - Horse that prefers to run next to the inside rail. Rank - A horse that is fractious or unmanageable by the jockey is said to be rank. Ratings - Tipsters may determine a set of ratings which reflect, in their opinion, each runner's chance of winning a particular race taking a number of factors into account when preparing them. Restricted Races - Races which only certain horses are eligible. Return - The dividend you receive on a particular bet. Ringer - A horse (or greyhound) entered in a race under another's name - usually a good runner replacing a poorer one. Roughie - A horse which is considered to have a rough chance of winning a race. Roundabout - A bet consisting of 3 bets involving three selections in different events (i.e. 1 single any to come and double stake double on remaining two selections, 3 times). Rounder - A bet consisting of 3 bets involving three selections in different events (i.e. 1 single any to come a single stake double on remaining two selections, 3 times). Round Robin - A bet consisting of 10 bets (3 pairs of Single Stakes About bets plus 3 doubles and 1 treble) involving three selections in different events. Route - Broadly, a race distance of longer than 1-1/8 miles. Router - Horse that performs well at longer distances. Run Free - A horse going too fast. Runner - A participant in a race. In US, a sportsbook's employee who gathers information on the progress of betting elsewhere on the course. Also, a messenger running to and from pari-mutuel windows for occupants of clubhouse boxes. Scale Of Weights - Fixed weights to be carried by horses in a race according to age, distance, sex, and time of year. Scalper - One who attempts to profit from the differences in odds from book to book by betting both sides of the same game at different prices. Schooled - A horse trained for jumping. Scope - The potential in a horse. Score - In US, to win a race or a bet. Also, a victory. Scratch (Scratching) - To be taken out of a race before it starts. Trainers usually scratch horses due to adverse track conditions or a horse's adverse health. A veterinarian can scratch a horse at any time. Scratch Sheet - Daily publication that includes graded handicaps, tips and scratches. Second Call - A secondary mount of a jockey in a race in the event his primary mount is scratched. Selections - The horses selected by a knowledgeable person (Tipster) to have the most likely chance of finishing in first, second and third place. This may also refer to a person's own selections - the horses they have chosen to back. Selling Race - A race where the winner is sold by auction immediately afterwards. Settler - A bookmaker's expert who calculates payouts. Shadow Roll - Usually a lamb's wool roll half way up the horse's face to keep him from seeing his own shadow. Shorten, Shortening the Odds - When the odds of a horse decrease, usually because a lot of money has been wagered on that horse. Short Runner - A horse who barely stays, or doesn't stay, the full distance of a race. Short Price - Low odds, meaning a punter will get little return for their initial outlay. Show - Third position at the finish. Show Bet - Wager on a horse to finish in the money; third or better. Shut Out (US) - What happens to a bettor who gets on the betting line to late and is still waiting in line when the window closes. Also, in sports betting, when the losing team do not score. Simulcast - A simultaneous live television transmission of a race to other tracks, off-track betting offices or other outlets for the purpose of wagering. Single - A Straight bet on one selection to win one race or event, also known as a straight-up bet. Single Stakes About (or SSA) - A bet consisting of 2 bets on two selections (1 single on each selection any to come 1 single on the other selection reversed). Sire - Father of a horse. Six-Dollar Combine (US) - An across-the-board bet in racing. Sleeper - A sleeper is an underrated racehorse. A horse which unexpectedly wins a race having previously shown poor form is said to have been a Sleeper. Sloppy (track) - A track that is wet on surface, with standing water visible, with firm bottom. Slow (track) - A racing strip that is wet on both the surface and base. Between good and heavy. Soft (track) - Condition of a turf course with a large amount of moisture. Horses sink very deeply into it. Spell - The resting period between preparations or racing. Sportsbook - The person, shop or website who accepts bets. Spot Play (US) - Type of play in which bettor risks money only on types of races and horses which seem relatively worthwhile risks. Sprint - Short race, less than one mile. Stake - The prize money for the winning horses paid to the owner (eg. trophy or prize money). Stakes - The sums of money deposited or guaranteed by the parties to a bet. Stakes-Placed - Finished second or third in a stakes race. Stakes Horse - A horse whose level of competition includes mostly stakes races. Stallion - A male horse used for breeding. Standing Start - In harness racing, starters start from a standing position, once the barrier across the track is released. Starter - The person responsible for starting a race. Starting Gate - Partitioned mechanical device having stalls in which the horses are confined until the starter releases the doors in front to begin the race. Starting Price (or SP) - An estimation of odds available when the race starts. Starting Stalls - Mechanical gates that ensure all horses start in unison. Stayer - A horse that can race long distances. Steam - When a betting selection starts to move quite rapidly, usually caused by many bettors betting on it. Steeplechase - A race in which horses are required to jump over a series of obstacles on the course. Also known as a 'Chase'. Stewards - The group of people who control the day's racing by ensuring that every runner competes on its merits and imposing penalties for any breach of the rules of racing. Stewards Enquiry - An enquiry by the stewards into a race. Stick - A jockey's whip. Stickers - Calks on shoes which give a horse better traction in mud or on soft tracks. Stipes - Another term for the Stewards. Stooper (US) - Those who make a living picking up discarded mutuel tickets at racetracks and cashing those that have been thrown away by mistake. Store (US) - A sportsbook or a bookie. Straight - Betting to win only. Straight Forecast (UK) - A tote bet operating in races of 3 or more declared runners in which the punter has to pick the first and second to finish in the correct order. Straight Six - A wager to correctly select the winner of each of six consecutive nominated races. Strapper - Also known as an attendant. A person who assists the trainer, cares for the horse or helps to put on its equipment. Stretch (home-Stretch) - Final straight portion of the racetrack to the finish. Stretch Runner - Horse that runs its fastest nearing the finish of a race. Stretch Turn - Bend of track into homestretch. Stud - 1) Male horse used for breeding. 2) A breeding farm. Sulky - (The Sulky) The modern harness racing vehicle (a driving rig) developed from a single-seat. Earlier racing had used carts. In its final form the sulky is little more than a U-shaped shaft mounted on two wheels with a seat at the end of the U. Superfecta - A bet placed on four horses to cross the finish line in exact chosen order. Super Robin/Flag - A bet consisting of 23 bets on 4 selections in different events (6 Doubles, 4 Trebles, 1 Fourfold, plus 12 single stake cross bets). Super Yankee - Alternative name for a multiple bet known as Canadian, a Super Yankee is a Yankee type bet with five selections instead of four. Sure Thing - A horse which a punter or tipster believes is unbeatable in a race. Sweepstakes - Type of betting whereby each horse in a race is drawn out of a hat by a particular person (who pays a set amount of money for the privilege of buying a horse). The people which chose the winner and placegetters will receive a percentage of the total money pool. System - A method of betting, usually mathematically based, used by a punter or bettor to try to get an advantage. TAB - Totalisator Agency Board. The body appointed to regulate off-course betting (bets made by people who are not present at the race track). Take (Takeout) - Commission deducted from mutuel pools which is shared by the track, horsemen (in the form of purses) and local and state governing bodies in the form of tax. Taken Up - A horse pulled up sharply by his rider because of being in close quarters. The Jockey Club - An organization dedicated to the improvement of Thoroughbred breeding and racing. Incorporated Feb. 10, 1894 in New York City, The Jockey Club serves as North America's Thoroughbred registry, responsible for the maintenance of The American Stud Book, a register of all Thoroughbreds foaled in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada; and of all Thoroughbreds imported into those countries from jurisdictions that have a registry recognized by The Jockey Club and the International Stud Book Committee. Thick'un - A big bet. Thoroughbred - A Thoroughbred is a horse whose parentage traces back to any of the three 'Founding Sires' the Darley Arabian, Byerly Turk and Godolphin Barb, and who has satisfied the rules and requirements of The Jockey Club and is registered in 'The American Stud Book' or in a foreign stud book recognized by The Jockey Club and the International Stud Book Committee. Any other horse, no matter what its parentage, is not considered a Thoroughbred for racing and/or breeding purposes. Thoroughbred Racing Associations (TRA) - An industry group comprised of many of the racetracks in North America. Ticket - The betting slip or ticket which is received by the bettor from the bookmaker or totalisator, as proof of his or her wager. The ticket is necessary to collect the dividends. Ticketer (US) - A forger of bookmakers' tickets. Tic-Tac - The secret and complex sign language used by bookmakers at racecourses to indicate movements in the price of a horse. Tierce - A French combination bet in which the bettor predicts the horses that will finish 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Tipster - A person who makes selections for a race, providing tips on which horses they believe will win the first three places. Totalizator (Totalisator) - The system of betting on races (an automated system that dispenses and records betting tickets, calculates and displays odds and payoffs and provides the mechanism for cashing winning tickets) in which the winning bettors share the total amount bet, minus a percentage for the operators of the system, taxes etc. Tote - Totalizator. The organisation appointed to receive bets and supply dividends in proportion to the amount of the investment. A body in the UK set up to operate pool-betting on all racecourses. Tote Board - The (usually) electronic totalizator display in the infield which reflects up-to-the-minute odds. It may also show the amounts wagered in each mutuel pool as well as information such as jockey and equipment changes, etc. Also known as the 'Board'. Tote Returns - Returns from a tote pool (also known as a Dividend), calculated by taking the total stake in each pool (after the take out) and dividing it by the number of winning tickets. A dividend is declared to a fixed stake, for various win, place and forecast pools. Tout - Person who professes to have, and sells, advance information on a race. Also used as a verb meaning to sell or advertise. Track Condition - Condition of the racetrack surface. Slow; Fast; good; muddy; sloppy; frozen; hard; firm; soft; yielding; heavy. Track Record - Fastest time for a distance at a particular track. Trail - Racing immediately behind another horse. A trail is also known as a sit. Trainer - The person responsible for looking after a horse and preparing it to race. A trainer must hold a license or permit to be entitled to train. Treble - A bet consisting of 3 selections, all of which must win for the wager to be successful. Trifecta - A wager picking the first three finishers in exact order. Trifecta Box - A trifecta wager in which all possible combinations using a given number of horses are bet upon. The total number of combinations can be calculated according to the formula (x3)-(3x2)+(2x), where x equals the amount of horses in the box. The sum of the formula is then multiplied by the amount wagered on each combination. Triple Crown - Used generically to denote a series of three important races, but is always capitalized when referring to historical races for three-year-olds. In the United States, the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes. In England the 2,000 Guineas, Epsom Derby and St. Leger Stakes. In Canada, the Queen's Plate, Prince of Wales Stakes and Breeders' Stakes. Trixie - A Trixie consists of 4 bets involving 3 selections in different events, i.e. 3 doubles plus 1 treble. Trotting - A term for harness racing in general. It also describes the specific gait of a trotter. True Odds - The real odds of something happening as opposed to what the bookies offer. Actual odds taking into account the bookmaker's/sportsbook's edge. The ratio of the number of times one event will occur to the number of times that it will not. Turf Accountant - The UK euphemism for a bookmaker. Turf Course - Grass course. Unbackable - A horse which is quoted at short odds that punters decide is too short to return any reasonable amount for the money they outlay. Underlay - A horse racing at shorter odds than seems warranted by its past performances. Under Starters Orders (or Under Orders) - The starting of a race. Under Wraps - Horse under stout restraint in a race or workout. Union Jack - A bet consisting of 8 trebles on 9 selections A to I: ABC, DEF, GHI, ADG, BEH, CFI, AEI, and CEG. Value - Getting the best odds on a wager. Wager - Another term for bet. Walkover - A race in which only one horse competes. Warming Up - Galloping horse on way to post. Weigh In (Out) - The certification, by the clerk of scales, of a rider's weight before (after) a race. A jockey weighs in fully dressed with all equipment except for his/her helmet, whip and (in many jurisdictions) flak jacket. Weight-For-Age - The purpose of weight-for-age is to allow horses of different age and sex to compete on equal terms. The weight a horse carried is allocated on a set scale according to its sex and age. Welsh/Welch - To fail to pay a gambling bet. Wheel - Betting all possible combinations in an exotic wager using at least one horse as the key. Wheeling - A racing system devised for the daily double bet in which the bettor backs one horse in the first race and every horse in the second (also known as Baseball or Locking). Whip - Instrument or a stick, usually of leather, with which rider strikes horse to increase his speed. Win - The term used to describe a 1st place finish. Win Bet - Wager on a horse to finish first. Winning Post - The finishing line of a race. (Also, The Post.) Wire - The finish line of a race. Wise Guy - A knowledgeable handicapper or bettor. Withdrawn (Scratched) - A horse that is withdrawn (or scratched) from a race before the start. Horses can be withdrawn due to adverse track conditions or because of illness or injury. With the Field - Having one horse linked with all the other horses in an event. It can apply to forecasts or in doubles. Yankee - A multiple bet consisting of 11 bets (6 doubles, 4 trebles and 1 4-fold) on 4 selections in different events. Yap - Yankee Patent. The same 11 bets as a Yankee, but with singles on each of the 4 selections as well, making 15 bets in all. Yearling - A horse in its second calendar year of life, beginning January 1 of the year following its birth.
Dog Racing Glossary
Accumulator also Parlay - A multiple bet. A kind of let-it-ride bet. Making simultaneous selections on two or more races with the intent of pressing the winnings of the first win on the bet of the following race selected, and so on. All the selections made must win for you to win the accumulator. Across The Board - You make three individual bets on one dog to Win, Place, and Show. If your selection wins, you collect on all three bets. If your selection runs second, you collect on Place and Show bets. If your selection runs third, you collect the Show bet. Your total wager will be three times the individual bet. For example; a $2 'Across The Board' bet would cost $6. Advance wagering - Wagers that are accepted on a race on a future performance. AGC - American Greyhound Council, Inc. AGTOA - American Greyhound Track Operators Association. All-America Team - The eight top racing greyhounds selected each year by AGTOA. Ante Post - Bets placed in advance predicting the outcome of a future event. Ante-post prices are those on major sporting events, usually prior to the day of the event itself. In return for the chance of better odds, punters risk the fact that stakes are not returned if their selection pulls out or is cancelled. Apron - An area located next to the racetrack where patrons may watch greyhound racing up close. A fence line separates the apron from the actual racing surface. Arbitrage - Where a variation in odds available allows a punter to back both sides and guarantee a win. ARCI - Association of Racing Commissioners International, Inc., based in Lexington, Kentucky. Backstretch - The area of the racetrack opposite the finish line. At most tracks, it is the area that crosses in front of the Tote board. Banker - Highly expected to win. The strongest in a multiple selection in a parlay or accumulator. In permutation bets the banker is a selection that must win to guarantee any returns. Bar Price - Refers to the odds of those runners in a race not quoted with a price during early betting shows. The bar price is the minimum odds for any of those selections not quoted. Beard (US) - A contact (friend or acquaintance) who places bets for a bettor who wants to hide their identity from sportbooks or bookmakers. Beeswax - UK slang term for betting tax. Also known as Bees or Ajax. Bertillon Card - A greyhound's identification card that lists 56 physical identifying points for every registered racing greyhound. The greyhound's Bertillon number is tattooed in its ear. Betting Tax - Tax on a Bookmaker's turnover. Bettor (US) - Someone who places or has a bet. A 'Punter' in the UK. Blanket - A covering for a greyhound bearing a number and color corresponding to post position. There are nine officially numbered blankets used in greyhound racing; Mile High uses eight in each race. Book - A bookmaker's tally of amounts bet on each competitor, and odds necessary to assure him of profit. Bookie - Short for bookmaker. The person or shop who accepts bets. Bookmaker - Person who is licensed to accept bets on the result of an event based on their provision of odds to the customer. Bottle - UK slang, odds of 2 to 1. Breeder - The individual who is the owner or lessee of his or her dam at the time of whelping. Bridge-Jumper (US) - Bettor who specializes in large show bets on odd-on favourites. Buy Price - In Spread or Index betting, the higher figure quoted by an Index bookmaker. Buy the Rack (US) - Purchase every possible daily-double or other combination ticket. Calls - The position of each greyhound at specific points around the track during a race. Canadian - Also known as a Super Yankee. A Canadian is a combination bet consisting of 26 bets with 5 selections in different events. The combination bet is made up of 10 doubles, 10 trebles, five 4-folds and one 5-fold. Career Record - A series of five numbers indicating, in order, a greyhound's total number of starts, followed by first place, second place, third place, and fourth place finishes. Often preceded by an abbreviation showing the track at which the starts were recorded. Carpet - UK slang for Odds of 3 to 1. Cart - The motor that runs around the racetrack with the lure. Also called lure motor. Chart - A record of each race showing finish, calls, odds and comments describing each racer's performance; useful to handicappers studying a greyhound's past performance. Chartwriter - A person who compiles records of each race and writes comments describing each greyhound's performance during a race. Close (US) - Final odds on a dog (e.g. closed at 5 to 1). Combination Bet - Combinations cover from two to four greyhounds to win in chosen order. Compound - An area where the racing association houses racing greyhounds. Cool-Out Area - An area where racing greyhounds cool down following a race. At most tracks water is provided as well as ample room to walk around. Course - Designates the distance of a race. The most common distances are 5/16, 3/8 and 7/16 mile courses. Crow's Nest - The area where the announcer, judges and others watch the races from a high vantage point. Daily Double - Similar to an accumulator you select the winners of the first and second races. You must place your bet before the start of the first race. Dam - The mother of a greyhound. Dead Heat - An exact tie between two or more greyhounds in a race. The greyhound's nose determines the winner in the photo finish. Doubleheader - Two racing performances during one day. Dual Forecast - A tote bet operating in races of 3 or more declared runners in which the punter has to pick the first two to finish in either order. Draw - A random process by which each greyhound's starting position is determined. Ear Tattoos - A greyhound's right ear tattoo represents the month, year and tattoo order of your dogs litter. The last number before the letter is his year of birth, the first one or two numbers is his month of birth. The letter represents the order in which the litter was tattooed (It does not mean the order of birth). Escape Turn - The first turn of the racetrack after the front stretch. Far Turn - The third turn of the racetrack. Fast - The racetrack's state during normal weather conditions. Field - The number of entries in a race. Greyhound races are comprised of fields of eight or nine racers. Flashy Sir Award - Given each year to the nation's top distance (3/8-mile) greyhound by the NGA; named for an outstanding distance greyhound of the mid-1940's. Forecast (or Straight Forcast) - A bet placed on two greyhounds but they must cross the finish line in exact chosen order. (USA, Perfecta or Exacta). Forced out - A chartwriter's term describing an instance of a greyhound being crowded to the outside by one or more opponents. Front Stretch - The portion of the racetrack closest to the Apron. The finish line is located here. Futures - Bets placed in advance predicting the outcome of a future event. Grade - Defines where a greyhound rates in comparison to other greyhounds at the track. Grades range from Grade AA, the top grade, down through Grades A, B, C, and D. Each time a greyhound wins, it advances one grade until reaching AA. Greyhounds are lowered in grade after posting three consecutive finishes fourth or lower. Grade AAT - A special grade designation indicating a special stake race event or a 'hotbox' event which contains the track's best racers in one race. Grade TA - The T designates mixed grades in a race (such as A and B greyhounds). The letter after the T (in this case, A) indicates the highest grade of greyhound in the race. Grading System - Method of assuring greyhounds compete against racers of similar caliber; grades are assigned according to performance, with the top grade being A. Greyhound Hall of Fame - A museum and shrine to the greats of the sport. Located in Abilene, Kansas. GROC - The Greyhound Race of Champions, the premier annual event in American greyhound racing, sponsored by the AGTOA. Handicapper - The official who decides the weights to be carried in handicap events, and the grading of horses and greyhounds. IKC - Interstate Kennel Club. Name applied to the racing season held at Wembley Park during the winter months, October through February. Infield - Area surrounded by the oval track. Interference - Intentional physical contact which obstructs or impedes the running of another greyhound. After being called for interference, a greyhound must run in a non-wagering race before he can compete again. In the Money - A first-, second- or third-place finish. ISW - Interstate Wagering. Wagering which takes place between tracks located across state lines. ITW - Intertrack Wagering. Wagering between tracks located within the same state. Jackpot - Pick six winners in six races to share in a Jackpot prize. The rules and prizes will vary from race track to race track. Judge - Racing official responsible for determining finish order in a race and other racing matters. Kennel - A business that cares for and races greyhounds under contract with one or more race tracks. Lead Out - A handler employed by the track who parades racers in front of the public before a race and places the greyhounds in the starting box and retrieves the dogs when the race is finished. Length - The margin equal to the length of one greyhound. Used to denote how far ahead or behind a greyhound is during certain points of the race or at the finish. Lock-Out Kennel - Sometimes referred to as the Jinny Pit, this is an area within the Paddock designed to house the racing greyhounds prior to their racing performance. All greyhounds racing that day are placed in the kennel 30 minutes before the first race. Only specific, licensed personnel are allowed in the area to maintain the greyhounds' safety. Lure - A mechanical device attached to an arm and electrically driven around the racing strip. The lure operator keeps it a uniform distance ahead of the greyhounds. It's the object the greyhounds chase while racing. A lure generally is a stuffed object that resembles either a bone or a rabbit. Lure operator - The person responsible for keeping the lure a uniform distance ahead of the greyhounds during a race. Maiden - A greyhound that has not won an official race. This is the lowest Grade designation. Once a greyhound wins a Maiden race, it advances to Grade D. Marathon Course - The longest course distance at Mile High, measuring 2,407 feet, or about 7/16ths of a mile. Matinee - A program of racing conducted during the daylight hours. Middle Distance - Distance classification for the Commerce Course at Mile High. This course measures 2,050 feet or 3/8ths of a mile. MTP - Minutes To Post. How much time remains before a race begins. Mutuel Handle - The total sum wagered for a single performance or a full meeting. Muzzle - A wire, leather or plastic devise, with a white tip, which is fitted over the greyhound's mouth and jaws and used as an aid in a close photo finish and to protect other greyhounds while racing. NGA - National Greyhound Association, made up of greyhound owners, breeders and trainers; recognized as a registry for racing greyhounds in the United States. Nose - The slimmest margin of victory. O.O.P. - Abbreviation used in a greyhound's race chart that describes the greyhound as finishing Out Of Picture. O.P. Smith - Owen Patrick Smith, inventor of a revolutionary mechanical lure circa 1912 that could travel around a circular track; considered the father of American greyhound racing. Paddock - The area of lockout kennels, scales and the inspection ring. The greyhounds are kept there prior to racing. Before a race, the greyhounds are weighed, identified by a paddock judge, walked and blanketed before entering the track. Pari-mutuel Wagering - Taken from the French term meaning "betting between ourselves", wagering in which winnings are taken from the total amount of money. The system insures that you never wager "against the track" but only against other players. Perfecta - A wagering term describing the first two greyhounds to cross the finish line in exact order. Photo Finish - A photo device utilized to more accurately determine the winner of a race where the finishers are very close. Place - A wagering term describing the second greyhound to cross the finish line. A wager for place means you collect if your dog finishes either first or second. Post - A greyhound's box or post position number. A greyhound's number always corresponds to the number of his starting box. The term also is used to recognize the exact time the greyhounds start from the Starting Box. Post Parade - The lead outs parade the greyhounds in front of the grandstand prior to a race for a blanket and muzzle inspection. Post Time - The time the first race of a performance begins, or any other race on the program. Post Weight - The greyhound's official weight reported before the greyhound enters the racetrack. Pup - A young dog; a puppy. Program - A printed guide to the day's races including detailed, compiled data to assist customers in handicapping the races. Quiniela (Quinella) - A wagering term describing the two greyhounds finishing first and second in either order. Racing Commission - A state or county regulatory agency that oversees all aspects of greyhound racing. Racing Secretary - The track official whose major functions include determining how many races of each grade are to be run over each distance for any given performance and conducting the random draw for post position. Rail - The inside race strip where the mechanical lure runs around the track. Reverse Forecast - A bet placed on two greyhounds - to cross the finish line in any order. Ringer - A greyhound (or horse) entered in a race under another's name - usually a good runner replacing a poorer one. Rural Rube Award - Given each year to the nation's top sprint (5/16-mile) greyhound by the National Greyhound Association; named for an outstanding sprinter of the late 1930s. Scale Room - An area within the Paddock where the greyhounds are weighed on a calibrated scale by the Clerk of Scales. Schooling Race - A practice race held using actual racing conditions, but in which no wagering is allowed. Scratch - The withdrawal of a greyhound from a race. Scratches at Mile High are listed by race number then greyhound number. Separate Pools - Money wagered on a race at another track, which is totally apart from the pool at the other track. Show - The third greyhound across the finish line. A wager to show means you collect if your selected greyhound finishes either first, second or third. Single - A Straight bet on one selection to win one race or event, also known as a straight-up bet. Sire - The father of a greyhound. Sprint - A race run over 5/16 of a mile or shorter distance. Stakes Race - A race for a championship or for a purse larger than those offered for ordinary feature races. Starter - A greyhound becomes a starter for the race when the doors of the starting box open. Starting Boxes - Mechanical gates that ensure all runners start in unison. Steam - When a betting selection starts to move quite rapidly, usually caused by many bettors betting on it. Straight Forecast (UK) - A tote bet operating in races of 3 or more declared runners in which the punter has to pick the first and second to finish in the correct order. Superfecta - Picking the first four greyhounds to finish in exact order. System - A method of betting, usually mathematically based, used by a punter to try to get an advantage. Takeout - The money taken from the betting pool by track management for the state and for the association. Tattoo - An identification number placed inside the ear of a registered racing greyhound. Tattoo Draw - When purchasing, all greyhounds are selected in order of purchase or reserve/deposit - according to your preferred sex or random draw by tattoo. Tattoo Drawing - Most pups are sold by the time they are three months of age, so the sellers rarely have greyhounds of an older age. This is a favorable way to purchase greyhounds since no one can tell how much speed any greyhound pup will have at such an early age and therefore the purchase price is relatively low. To determine ownership in each litter, sellers hold a drawing by the tattoo numbers found in the ears of each greyhound. This is held after the 4th month of age since that allows the sellers time to
