The point spread’s sole purpose is to even the betting so 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. Because of this, if the amount bet on the underdog is equivalent to the total amount bet on the underdog, the book is guaranteed a 10% profit on half the bets made, no matter what team covers.
The top linesmakers are individuals who have a feel for just what the betting public believes. The betting line they set reflects the betting public’s perception of the strength of the two teams. It does not necessarily reflect the true relative strengths of the two teams. As well as the sportsbook betting public’s perception is often wrong.
When you realize that concept, everything else shall start 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, don’t bet on a team just because you like the team. And do not bet on your favorite team if you’re an avid fan. It’s almost not possible to be objective. Fans usually 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. When you are uncertain about a game, do not bet it.
Should you bet on the home team? Generally no. On the other hand, if you’re able to 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 4 years the 49ers have covered against the Rams 7 of 8 times as well as the one time they did not, Young was hurt and they had to play Druckmiller, a rookie. In the last 5 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 upon past performance, if you bet on the 49ers to cover against the Rams, you are more very likely to win your bet than to lose.
Place your bets late within the week. By waiting before the end of the week, you’ll know about any injuries to key players that might affect the way you bet. Occasionally, 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 may keep the player out of the game. On top of that, weather conditions might affect your bet. Inclement weather often keeps the scoring down.
Limit the Number of Games You Bet. More is just not better. The optimum number appears to be 3 to six games. Anymore and soccer gambling, look at this website, the winning percentages tend to decline since the law of averages is necessary. (The greater games you play the more likely you are to have 50% winners and 50% losers. And that’s a losing season, due to the juice.) Moreover, it’s simpler to pay attention to a limited range of games.
Losing Streaks Happen. No matter what, you may count on a losing streak. It happens to handicappers, professional gamblers, casual bettors, as well as books. Be prepared to ride it out. For anyone who is using Pro Predictor or perhaps a handicapping service, you must stick with it through the season as a way to come out a winner. Leaving at the very first sign of a losing streak will guarantee you lose for the season. Suppose you drop out only to have the handicapper go 5 for 5 the next week. Those are 5 wins you’ll not have and will affect your overall winning percentage.
Never Bet Against a Streak. This is a key to increasing your winning and decreasing your losses. Consider this a betting mantra. Say it over and over until it is firmly embedded in your mind. Never bet against a streak. And, for anybody who is going to bet on streaks, bet the streak will continue. And it will not matter whether 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 is a hidden trap.
Think about 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? Of course, each week 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’re $100 ahead. But what happens whenever they do cover and 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? If you do, as well as the streak ends, you win $100 and now are just $10 loser and that’s the end of that. Nevertheless, 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 to get back several 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 is another trap that will cause you to have huge losses and it isn’t 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’ve lost $110 and that is that, much like a regular straight bet. But what happens whenever they do cover as well as the streak continues. You’re $100 to the excellent and if you continue to bet on the streak, the most you can lose is $10. If you bet another $100 with the streak in week 12 as well as the streak ends, your net losses are $10. Nonetheless, 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.
Therefore, if you bet against a streak, the most you may win is $100 but you the amount you can lose is limited only through the length of the streak. If you bet with the streak, the most you may lose is $110, however the amount you may win is limited only through the length of the streak.