The point spread’s sole purpose is to even the betting in order that the total amount bet on the underdog is equal to the amount bet on the favorite. The book makes its money on the vigorish or juice. For this reason, should the amount bet on the underdog matches the total amount bet on the underdog, the book is guaranteed a 10% profit on half the bets made, regardless of which team covers.
The top linesmakers are many who have a feel for exactly what the betting public believes. The betting line they set reflects the betting public’s perception of the strength of the 2 teams. It doesn’t necessarily reflect the true relative strengths of the two teams. And also the sportsbook betting public’s perception is often wrong.
When you recognize that concept, the rest shall begin to fall into place. You shall have an advantage over most bettors.
Be objective. Listen to you head not your heart. Do not bet against the Cowboys just because you want to see them lose. And, do not bet on a team just because you like the team. And fantastic online gambling agent do not bet on your favorite team in case you are an avid fan. It’s almost not possible to be objective. Fans have a tendency to be overly optimistic about their favorite team or overly pessimistic if things are not going well.
Be consistent. Bet the exact same amount on each game. Some players bet $200 on games they think are locks and $100 on ones they are not so sure of. It’s those not so sure of bets that rack up the losses. For anyone who is uncertain about a game, do not bet it.
Should you bet on the home team? Generally no. On the flip side, if you can be objective, you’ve got an edge. You probably know more about your house team than those in other parts of the country because the local media gives extensive coverage to the home team, coverage that is not shared with the rest of the country.
Look for Trends. If you spot a trend, component that into your decision. Some teams have other teams’ number. In the last four years the 49ers have covered against the Rams 7 of 8 times as well as the one time they didn’t, Young was hurt and they had to play Druckmiller, a rookie. Within the last five years, Green Bay has lost 4 out the 5 games played in Detroit.
Trends are not guarantees. The trend might not hold and you lose your bet. Nevertheless, remember the aim is to increase your prospects of winning. Based on past performance, if you bet on the 49ers to cover against the Rams, you are more likely to win your bet than to lose.
Place your bets late in the week. By waiting before the end of the week, you are going to know about any injuries to key players that could affect the way you bet. In many instances, players are injured or aggravate an injury in practice. Or what seemed like a minor injury on Tuesday may turn out to be one that will keep the player out of the game. Also, weather conditions might affect your bet. Inclement weather often keeps the scoring down.
Limit the Range of Games You Bet. More is not better. The optimum number seems to be 3 to 6 games. Anymore and also the winning percentages have a tendency to decline because the law of averages is necessary. (The better games you play the more likely you are to have 50% winners and 50% losers. And that’s a losing season, as a result of the juice.) Additionally, it’s easier to focus on a limited number of games.
Losing Streaks Happen. Regardless of what, you may count on a losing streak. It happens to handicappers, professional gamblers, casual bettors, and also books. Be well prepared to ride it out. When you are using Pro Predictor or perhaps a handicapping service, you must stick with it throughout the season in order to come out a winner. Leaving at the first sign of a losing streak will guarantee you lose for the season. Suppose you drop out only to possess the handicapper go 5 for 5 the next week. Those are 5 wins you will never have and may affect your overall winning percentage.
Never Bet Against a Streak. This is an integral to increasing your winning and decreasing your losses. Consider this a betting mantra. Say it over and over until it’s firmly embedded within your mind. Never bet against a streak. And, for anyone who is going to bet on streaks, bet the streak shall continue. And it doesn’t matter whether or not the streak is a winning streak or a losing streak. Ironically, logic will tell you that the odds of a streak continuing double with each additional week and you should bet against it. But there’s a hidden trap.
Look at the following scenario: In week 10, you notice that Green Bay has covered for 4 weeks in a row. Should you bet that the streak will end? Simply, weekly the odds against the streak continuing double.
Betting Against the Streak: You bet $100 against Green Bay covering in week 11. Sure enough, they fail to cover. You are $100 ahead. But what happens if they do cover and also the streak continues. You are $110 within the hole. What do you do? Do you bet another $100 against the streak in week 12 since the odds against the streak continuing are even greater? In the event that you do, as well as the streak ends, you win $100 and now will be just $10 loser and that’s the end of that. However, should the streak continues, you are now $220 in the hole. What do you need to do now? Do you bite the bullet and take your losses or do you fall in to the trap of chasing your loses? Do you continue and try and get back some of your losses? Do you double up in an attempt to cover your loses? Don’t do it. Doubling up is never a good idea. It really is another trap that will cause you to have huge losses and it is not worth the gamble.
Betting with the Streak: You bet $100 that Green Bay will cover again in week 11. Should they fail to cover, you have lost $110 and that is that, much like a regular straight bet. But what happens should they do cover and also the streak continues. You’re $100 to the great and if you continue to bet on the streak, the most you may lose is $10. If you bet another $100 with the streak in week 12 and the streak ends, your net losses are $10. But, if the streak continues, you’re guaranteed to come out at least $90 ahead and with each addition week the streak continues, you add another $100 to your winnings.
Consequently, if you bet against a streak, the most you may win is $100 but you the amount you may lose is limited only through the length of the streak. If you bet with the streak, the most you can lose is $110, but the amount you may win is limited only through the length of the streak.