Sides [Meaning] - MasterTerms.com

In sports betting, a “side” is the team or individual competitor that a bettor picks to win a particular event. Bettors place wagers on the side they believe will come out victorious. Sides are usually listed alongside point spreads or moneylines, indicating the terms of the wager and how much needs to be staked to win. Bettors must choose which side they think will win based on odds, team performance, and other factors.

Sides Example

For example, in an NBA game between the Lakers and the Warriors, if a bettor chooses the Lakers to win, they are betting on the “side” of the Lakers.

Glossary: Hook
A hook is the half-point added to a betting line to avoid a push or tie.
Glossary: IBAS
IBAS is the Independent Betting Adjudication Service that resolves disputes between gambling operators and customers.
Glossary: Juice
Juice is the commission or fee charged by a sportsbook for taking a bet.
Glossary: Linemaker
A linemaker is responsible for setting the initial betting odds for sporting events.
Glossary: Nose
A nose refers to the amount of money that a bookmaker adds to the odds to ensure profitability on both sides of a bet. It is essentially the bookmaker's margin, calculated as a percentage over the true odds. The nose can influence betting decisions, as it determines the potential payout for bettors.