lay odds
Offer weighted stakes
To lay odds is to offer a bet at unfavorable terms to yourself, wagering more than you stand to win—expressing confidence that something will happen.
The phrase extends beyond gambling to strong assertions: I'd lay odds she already knows.
To lay odds against is to bet something won't occur.
Risked stake on outcome
- gambleStake on uncertain outcome
- stakeSharpened post or share
- bookmakerOne who takes bets
- punterOne who kicks footballs
sportsbook · handicap · spread · moneyline · parlay · bookie · oddsmaker · futures
Quantified chance of occurrence
- likelihoodChance something will occur
- chanceLikelihood of occurrence
- forecastPrediction of future conditions
- estimationApproximate value judgment
speculation · expectation · conjecture · surmise · inference · anticipation · prognosis · handicapping
bet
Risked stake on outcome
punter · sportsbook · handicap · spread · moneyline · parlay · bookie · oddsmaker · futures · accumulator
probability
Quantified chance of occurrence
- likelihoodChance something will occur
- chanceLikelihood of occurrence
- forecastPrediction of future conditions
estimation · speculation · expectation · conjecture · surmise · inference · anticipation · prognosis · handicapping · projection
lay oddstake a chance
Accept risk willingly
hope against hope · wish upon a star · roll the dice · take a gamble · uncertain
lay oddsdoubt
Lack of firm belief
hedge one's bets · question · sit on the fence · certain · sure