What Does ‘Tip’ Mean in Sports Betting?

A “Tip” is simply a piece of advice or a specific prediction about who will win a game.

However, if you are betting in the US, you will almost never hear this word. We use a different term for the exact same thing: “Pick.”

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US vs. UK/International

• In the UK & Australia: They call them “Tips.”
  • Example: “I got a great tip on the soccer match.”
  • The Expert: The person giving the advice is called a “Tipster.”
• In the US: We call them “Picks.”
  • Example: “I’m buying some picks for the NFL game.”
  • The Expert: The person selling the advice is called a “Handicapper” (or just a “Capper”).

The “Hot Tip” (Insider Info)

Occasionally, you will hear “tip” used in the US, but it usually implies secret or inside information, just like in the stock market.

• “I got a hot tip that the star quarterback is secretly injured.”

One More Meaning: “Tipping Competitions”

If you have friends from Australia, they might ask if you want to join a “Tipping Comp.” In the US, we just call this a “Pick’em Pool” or “Office Pool.” It’s a contest where you predict the winner of every game for the week to see who gets the most right.