The Art of Sports Wagering
Everyone knows there's a built in bias against players in all forms of
casino betting, including cards, dice, roulette, etc. But what about
sports wagering, can one actually win at it over the long run? And if
so, how does one go about it? Is there information available to help?
Yes, there are those like myself who have been
prosperous with sports wagering over the years. All the major sports
can be wagered upon to earn a decent living while at the same time
giving us the "action" we're looking for. Even those who are only
proficient at fantasy sports can win. But like all forms of gambling,
it takes great patience, fortitude, and most importantly, proper money
management. Let's take a look at the major sports, the rules of
wagering on each, and the research necessary to show a profit.
Perhaps the most popular wagering sport in
America is football. Almost every fan wagers on football at some point
during the season, whether for a beer against a buddy, or more
seriously using legal SportsBooks. In football a "point spread" is
used. Not only must one figure out who will win, but by how much. The
fee for these straight wagers is generally ten percent. That is if one
loses. If $100 is the wager, then a loss will cost $110. A win would
provide a profit of $100. This certainly is a fair "vigorish", as the
player may choose either the Favorite, or the Underdog in any game. The
House simply attempts to even out the wagering on both sides of the
event, and takes their ten percent "vig" regardless of which team
prevails. A bettor may either "lay the points" with the Favorite,
or "take the points" with the Underdog.
Important information for legal football
wagering includes weather, injury and roster reports. Also there is a
skill in watching "line movement", that is which way and how much the
public is wagering on each team. Past performances of both teams and
particular Coaches are also quite important, although as in the stock
market; past performance does not necessarily guarantee a profitable
return. We provide all of this information on a daily basis for free at
FreeSportsLetter.com
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Basketball wagering is similar to football
wagering in that a point spread is used, and vigorish is generally ten
percent. There is a caveat - basketball lasts for eight months and
generally is played everyday. One must have patience and understand
proper money management, or the bankroll will disappear quickly. Injury
reports and player status are all the more important in a daily event
like basketball. In football the player generally has almost a week to
recover from an injury, but not in basketball.
Baseball uses a "money line", or odds for each
game. Instead of laying or taking points, one lays or takes odds.
A "Run Line" is also generally
available for each game. This line offers a reduced odds play than the
money line, but the favorite must win by more than a run. Conversely,
if one wagers on the Underdog in baseball using the runs line, the odds
will be less in the bettor's favor, but they may lose by one run and
still win the wager. The same caveat for basketball appears for
baseball - generally seven months of daily games that require great
patience and money management. Similar to basketball, injury reports
and player status for each game are important in a sport where teams
play daily.
Hockey wagering is similar to baseball
wagering - either a "puck line" or money line is used. In a hostile
game like hockey, daily information is a necessity to see which players
will be in the line-up for that night's game. As in any wagering sport,
trends develop for many teams. These trends include the propensity to
win at home, on the road, in and out of conference play, with or
without rest, etc.
All wagering sports also have a "Totals line",
that is the total points scored between both teams. One may wager on
the "Over" or "Under" of each game on the Totals line. Instead of
wagering on one side, the bettor simply roots for a high or low scoring
game, or more simply stated, Offense and Defense. The vigorish on this
type of wager is generally 10-20% for a loss.
One important wagering point we preach consistently at
FreeSportsLetter.com
is to try to place wagers on good teams that are playing with pride and
emotion. Conversely, we recommend wagering against teams that have
nothing to shoot for, or are playing out the string. In sports wagering
it is imperative to realize that Defense wins, and Offense follows.
High scoring teams that lack Defense will not cover their fair share of
events. Those teams that can hold the opposition to limited points or
runs are always competitive because they keep their team in the game,
and are good "cover" teams. Although not necessarily related to
gambling, Championship teams in any sport must do two things: 1)
Have the ability to win on the road, and 2) Have the ability to play
great Defense during crunch time.
In all sports we recommend limiting the number
of games you wager on daily. Those who have been in our Gold Key
program at FreeSportsLetter.com
have learned to respect the idea of wagering on one to possibly a
maximum of three strong games a day. All it takes is one bad day early
in your week going 2-6 or worse, then you must try to chase to get your
money back, a dangerous way to gamble. And go 4-3 or 5-4, you won't
really make any money.
Your Sportsbook Operator plays with himself when you call in six or
more plays a day, knowing he will be getting your money real quick.
This doesn't mean you can't place a few "kibbitz" bets that really
won't affect your bankroll. As always, we recommend only using lesser
plays as parlay games from the strongest plays. Two team parlay wagers
do not add vigorish, and generally pay about 12-5 on the wager if both
teams cover the spread.
In
daily played sports like hockey, basketball and baseball, line setting
adjusts slower to a team's change in performance than say in a sport
like football. Often we can get an edge of several points for a few
days before the line catches up. This does not mean that the lines
makers are incorrect, but that the betting public is slow to perceive
the change.
In any sport, inter-Divisional games are
usually closer because the teams are more familiar with each other and
the games count more. These games can also become more physical as
rivalries are more intense between players and teams that face each
other multiple times a season.
Here's wishing everyone happy sports wagering!
Feel fee to visit us for free daily updates, including injury, weather
and status reports. We also provide free wagering hints and daily free
releases for all the major sports online at FreeSportsLetter.com
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