Betting glossary
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The LineGoat betting glossary is a plain-English list of the betting terms used across LineGoat, each with a short definition and a link to the LineGoat page that uses it. Where LineGoat has its own method, the definition shows it: how the scan removes the vig, and how the Edge Tracker grades results and measures closing line value (CLV).
LineGoat's own record
As of Oct 26, 2026: 6-18, -3.37u, ROI -14.0% across all 24 graded picks (CLV measured on 15). Average CLV on those 15 was +3.4%, with 10 beating the close. 24 bets is a small sample. The full log is on the Edge Tracker and in the open data file.
Jump to: Odds and prices · Value and the market · Results and staking · Bet types and strategies
Odds and prices
American odds
American odds show a price as a number with a sign. A plus number such as +150 is what a $100 bet wins; a minus number such as -150 is what you must bet to win $100. LineGoat shows every price in American odds and converts them to decimal for the math on How to read a no-vig line.
Decimal odds
Decimal odds are the total return per $1 staked, stake included. +170 is 2.70 in decimal odds and -200 is 1.50. The conversion steps are on How to read a no-vig line.
Implied probability
Implied probability is how often a bet has to win for its price to break even: 1 divided by the decimal odds. A -110 price implies 52.38%. See How to read a no-vig line.
Vig (juice)
The vig, also called juice or vigorish, is the sportsbook's margin built into its prices. On a two-sided market the two implied probabilities add up to more than 100%, and the extra is the vig. How to read a no-vig line shows how to measure it.
Overround
Overround is the sum of a market's implied probabilities minus 100%. Pinnacle's Georgia State vs. James Madison market in LineGoat's Oct 16, 2026 scan had an overround of 4.26%. Worked through on How to read a no-vig line.
Hold
Hold is the share of all money bet on a market that the book keeps if it takes balanced action on both sides: 1 minus 1 divided by the sum of implied probabilities. The same Georgia State market had a hold of 4.09%, a little lower than its overround. See How to read a no-vig line.
No-vig odds (fair odds)
No-vig odds, or fair odds, are a price with the vig taken out, so both sides add up to 100%. LineGoat's scan uses the multiplicative method: divide each side's implied probability by the sum of both. On the Georgia State market that turned Pinnacle's +306 into fair odds of +323.3. Method on How to read a no-vig line.
Devig
To devig is to remove the vig from a market to get fair odds. Multiplicative is the most common method; additive, power and Shin are three others, and the four disagree most on longshots. LineGoat compares them on How to read a no-vig line.
Moneyline
A moneyline is a bet on who wins the game, with no point spread. LineGoat's scan prices pregame moneylines and spreads; see How Edge of the Day works.
Spread
A spread is a bet on the margin of victory: the favorite gives points (-3.5) and the underdog gets them (+3.5). LineGoat compares a spread only when the US book and Pinnacle are on the same number, as set out on How Edge of the Day works.
Total (over/under)
A total is a bet on whether the combined score lands over or under a number set by the book, such as Over 44.5. Both sides must be on the same number to devig it, as How to read a no-vig line explains.
Value and the market
+EV (positive expected value)
A +EV bet is one whose price pays more than its fair probability says it should. Expected value is fair probability times decimal odds, minus 1. LineGoat's scan counts a US sportsbook price as an edge when it lands between 1% and 12% EV against Pinnacle's no-vig fair odds. A +EV bet still loses often. Method on How Edge of the Day works.
Edge
An edge is the gap between the price you can get and the fair price, usually stated as EV percent. On LineGoat, an edge is a US sportsbook price that clears every filter in the morning scan, and the biggest one is published as Edge of the Day.
Sharp
Sharp describes bettors, books or prices that the market treats as well informed. A sharp book takes big bets from sharp bettors and adjusts its prices to them, so its line is a strong estimate of the true odds. LineGoat uses Pinnacle as its sharp reference (How Edge of the Day works). Pinnacle lines are used only as a sharp reference price; LineGoat doesn't promote betting at Pinnacle.
Line shopping
Line shopping is checking several sportsbooks for the same bet and taking the best price. LineGoat's scan checks nine US sportsbooks and counts which one had the best price on its published edges in Which sportsbook has the best odds.
Odds screen
An odds screen is a tool that shows many sportsbooks' prices for the same markets side by side. Many also flag +EV prices and arbitrage. LineGoat compares free and paid ones in Best free odds screens and +EV tools.
Line movement
Line movement is any change in a market's price or number after it opens, such as a spread going from -3 to -3.5. Tools that track it are listed in the free betting toolkit; every line alert tool LineGoat checked keeps alerts on a paid plan.
Steam
Steam, or a steam move, is a sudden line move in the same direction at many sportsbooks at about the same time, often read as a sign of sharp money. Betstamp Pro, for example, sends on-screen steam alerts when a main-market True Line moves more than 2.5% (Betstamp Pro).
Reverse line movement
Reverse line movement is a line that moves away from the side getting most of the bets, for example a favorite drawing most tickets while its spread drops from -4.5 to -4. It needs bet-percentage data, which LineGoat doesn't publish, so no LineGoat page covers it yet.
Closing line
The closing line is the last price before a market closes, usually at the scheduled start. For its top three edges each day, LineGoat's tracker captures Pinnacle's last pre-game price, usually 5 to 20 minutes before the start. More on closing line value.
CLV (closing line value)
CLV measures whether the price you bet beat the closing line after the vig is removed: your decimal odds times the no-vig closing probability, minus 1. Bettors treat positive CLV as a long-run sign of good prices; it is not a promise of a win. LineGoat records CLV for the top three edges each day; explained in the CLV guide.
Results and staking
Unit
A unit is a standard stake size used to report results so different bankrolls compare fairly. LineGoat grades every published edge at a flat 1 unit, so a win at +125 is +1.25 units and a loss is -1 unit (How to analyze the Edge Tracker data).
ROI (return on investment)
ROI is profit divided by the total amount staked. With a flat 1-unit stake, LineGoat's ROI is units won or lost divided by the number of graded bets (How to analyze the Edge Tracker data).
Push
A push is a bet that lands exactly on the number, such as a 3-point win on a -3 spread, or a tied moneyline. The stake comes back, and LineGoat's tracker counts it as 0 units (How Edge of the Day works).
Void
A void bet is cancelled and graded 0 units. LineGoat voids an edge if no final score turns up within 4 days of the scheduled start (How Edge of the Day works).
Bankroll
A bankroll is the money set aside for betting, kept separate from money you need. Some free trackers store it for you; Devig Sports' My Bets keeps bets, bankroll and CLV on your own device (free betting toolkit).
Kelly criterion
The Kelly criterion is a staking formula that sizes each bet by its edge and its odds: bet a larger share of the bankroll when the edge is bigger. Fractional Kelly, a set share of the full Kelly stake, is a common way to cut the swings. DawBets shows a Kelly-sized stake on each bet in its feed (DawBets); LineGoat's tracker uses flat units instead.
Small sample
A small sample is too few results to tell skill from luck. Win-loss records swing a lot over dozens of bets, which is why LineGoat publishes CLV and expected wins next to the record (How to analyze the Edge Tracker data).
Bet types and strategies
Props (player props)
A prop is a bet on something other than the final result, most often a player's stat line such as passing yards or points. Prop research tools rank hit rates and splits; see Props.Cash.
Parlay
A parlay joins two or more bets into one ticket that wins only if every leg wins. Each leg carries its own vig, so a parlay's margin is larger than a single bet's. Some odds screens also price same-game parlays (Betstamp Pro).
Arbitrage (arb)
Arbitrage is betting every side of a market at different books at prices where every possible result returns a little more than the total staked. Prices move fast, so an arb can be gone before every leg is placed. Tools that scan for arbs are in Arbitrage and value betting tools.
Middle
A middle is two bets on opposite sides of the same game at different numbers. If the final margin lands in the gap, both bets cash. Say you hold the underdog at +6.5 at one book and later take the favorite at -3.5 at another: a favorite win by 4, 5 or 6 wins both tickets. Several odds screens scan for middles; see OddsJam alternatives.
Hedging
Hedging is placing a bet against a position you already hold to reduce risk, for example betting the other side at a second book. Promo conversion tools use it on a bonus bet you already have, so that most of its value ends up as withdrawable money whichever side wins (promo conversion tools).
Odds boost
An odds boost is a sportsbook promotion that raises the payout on one eligible bet. Each boost has its own terms, such as which bets qualify and when it expires.
Bonus bet
A bonus bet is a promotional stake from the book that can be wagered but not cashed out. If it wins, the book usually pays the winnings and keeps the stake. Terms such as playthrough are defined in the promo terms glossary.
FAQ
What is the difference between vig and hold?
Vig is the general word for the sportsbook's margin. Hold is one way to measure it: the share of all money bet that the book keeps on balanced action. Overround is the other measure. On Pinnacle's Georgia State market in LineGoat's Oct 16, 2026 scan, the overround was 4.26% and the hold was 4.09%.
Is +EV the same as a winning bet?
No. +EV means the price pays more than the fair probability says it should, so a long run of similar bets would be expected to return more than it costs. Any single +EV bet can lose. LineGoat's tracker has losses on bets that were +EV at publish.
How does LineGoat measure CLV?
LineGoat records Pinnacle's last pre-game price on the top three edges each day, removes the vig with the multiplicative method and compares it with the published price. As of Oct 26, 2026, average CLV was +3.4% across the 15 edges where it was measured, and 10 of those 15 beat the close.
What does a unit mean on LineGoat?
A unit is a flat 1-unit stake at the published price. A win at +400 is +4 units, a loss is -1 unit and a push is 0.
Does LineGoat use reverse line movement or steam?
No. LineGoat's scan compares US sportsbook prices with Pinnacle's no-vig fair odds. It doesn't use bet percentages or steam alerts.
Bonus and promo wording (playthrough, bonus bets, odds boosts) has its own promo terms glossary. LineGoat is not a sportsbook. Nothing here is betting advice or a promise of results.