Skip to lesson
Chalkboard lesson · Betting Slang

What is a longshot in sports betting?

The short answer

A big underdog; a long price.

Betting slang explained

Knowing the language is step one — knowing the true price is the edge. The Cold Line’s signal desk tracks the no-vig fair number and the closing-line value behind terms like this, before the market moves.

In plain English

A name nobody expects to win, hanging at a huge plus number.

What to remember about Longshot

The definition

A big underdog; a long price.

In plain English

A name nobody expects to win, hanging at a huge plus number.

Example in context

A team at +1200 is a longshot — $100 to win $1,200 if they pull it off.

Check yourself

Term quiz

Check yourself: Longshot

0/3 answered

1.A longshot is…

2.A team at +1200 is a longshot. What does $100 win if they pull it off?

3.Why is a huge plus number not automatic value?

Keep learning

Explore the next question before you place a bet.

Put the concept to work

Explore Longshot with a concrete research workflow. Build your own number, compare sportsbook prices with a sharp reference, or use Audits to review timestamped book moves beside play-by-play.

Browse the full A–Z betting glossary or read the complete betting guide. The Cold Line also publishes a free year-round sports calendar and an odds board (Free account: delayed odds).