Handicapping sports is both a common and commonly-misunderstood concept in sports betting. As it turns out, several people might have handicapped sports without even realizing it. Handicapping is the procedure of using available information to make bets on sporting events, so if you have ever wagered on a game using more than just your gut impulse, you have been a handicapper.
The truth of sports handicapping is that sportsbooks are really good at what they do. The lines and estimates that they set frequently have a level of accuracy that seems eerie.
However, that does not mean that you just have to hand over your money to them. Rather, there are several strategies and concepts that can help decrease the mystery of sports betting and, in some cases, permit you to see some profitable opportunities.
Information That Handicappers Use
• Opening odds: The first clue about the direction that a game may go is the most obvious. The sportsbook’s initial odds typically indicate that the book’s experts have analyzed the matchup carefully and reached a decision. The opening odds are also significant to establish a baseline for where things end up. There is information that can be gleaned exclusively from how the odds moved from their initial point.
• Overall team strength: Certainly, a key factor in determining how a game will proceed is to look at the strength of its participants. As a general rule, the team with more wins to that point is more likely to come first. But, the savvy handicapper doesn’t just take a superficial look at the league tables and go from there. It is important to dig into the statistics about what makes each team good or bad.
• Recent play: Teams also go through ups and downs during a season. Some teams get better as time goes by, while others get tired and wither. Injuries can also play into this equation. How a team reacts to the loss of a player can affect how the season is going.
• Matchup advantages: Maximum teams tend to favor certain types of opponents and dread others. So, it is vital that you, the enterprising handicapper, look at how the teams have performed historically against other teams. Look for past rivals with similar personnel, talent, or strategy in their approach to the game. It is also significant to consider any injuries that may be affecting a team. The absence of a key player can render a solid team suspect, mainly against a tough matchup.
• Home advantage: Lastly, the team playing in its home field, arena, or gym is often at a significant advantage. There are both tangible and intangible positives to using facilities that are one’s own, and those factors can play out on the scoreboard. But, be cautious of placing too much faith in the effect the home turf has.
According to the experts at Intpicks, few handicappers do not add these pieces of information into their decisions, at least in some regard. The weight that each handicapper puts upon each element varies from individual to individual.
Experts at Intpicks Review say that this information is also not the endpoint or the only data that you can collect. With so much analytics in sports today, it is possible to dig into the statistics very deeply. You’ll have to find out which stats are worth your additional time if any.