Definition of Figure

What does the term "figure" mean in sports betting? What is the definition of the term "figure" in sports betting?

In sports betting, the term "figure" refers to the amount that a person owes to a bookmaker.

For instance - let's say that you make a number of bets over the course of a weekend during the NFL season. You place these bets with a local bookie and your bets are taken without you having to produce any money beforehand. You and your bookie have an agreement that you will "square up" after the weekend is completed.

After a particularly bad weekend, you call your bookie to ask how much you owe. After a bit of calculation, he says that your "figure" is $2,000. This means that you will need to pay $2,000 to your bookmaker in order to settle the outstanding debt.

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With online sports books, you are usually required to post money before you bet. There are exceptions to this rule (in order to maintain the business of a whale, for instance, a sports book may extend credit) but these exceptions are fairly rare.