If you're planning to start sports betting online, it may help to know some of the basic terms, lingo and jargon related to the activity. Although there are many different words and phrases with which you should be familiar, here are a few of the basics:

ACTION: A bet or wager of any kind

SPREAD or POINTSPREAD: Also referred to as the "line" or the handicap. It's the extra points or head start that the underdog team or player receives at the beginning of the game for betting purposes. It's usually determined by a sports book and it is designed to help "even the playing field." For the favorite to win, they must win by more points than the spread.

FUTURES BET: This is a bet on an event that's far in the future, and it usually is a game that involves many different competitors, such as a car race.

PARLAY or ACCUMULATOR: A type of multiple bet that is made at one time and continues to advance as long as the bets are won. For example, if you win the first event, the bet "rolls over" to the next event.

HEDGING: Placing a bet on both sides so that a win is guaranteed.

MONEY LINE: The odds of an event without a pointspread. Expressed in terms of a negative or positive sign. A negative sign means that's the amount you have to wager to win $100. The better the team, the more you have to wager.

PROPOSITION BET or SPECIAL BET or EXOTIC BET: A special type of bet offered on many sports betting websites, although the event may not be a sporting event. In some cases it's political, such as who will win the next election. The wagers are typically made in Money Line style.

OFFICIAL LINE: The line, or spread, the bookie uses.

Check out our golf betting odds comparison page.

For the savvy gambler seeking betting systems, check out our handicapping systems page.