What Does 'SU' Mean in Sports Betting?

In sports betting, SU stands for “Straight Up.”

“Straight Up” simply refers to a team’s outright win-loss record, without any consideration for the point spread.

How “SU” is Used

You will most often see “SU” used in two ways:

In Statistics (SU vs. ATS): When analyzing a team’s performance, you will often see two records side-by-side:
- SU (Straight Up): The team’s actual win-loss record. (e.g., 10-2)
- ATS (Against the Spread): The team’s record in relation to the point spread. (e.g., 7-5)
- Example: The Dallas Cowboys might be 12-5 SU (meaning they won 12 games and lost 5) but only 8-9 ATS (meaning they failed to cover the spread in 9 of their 17 games).
As a Type of Bet (A “Straight Up” Bet): Betting on a team “straight up” is the same as making a moneyline bet. You are simply picking which team will win the game, regardless of the margin of victory.