The point spread’s sole purpose is to even the betting in order that the amount bet on the underdog is equal to the amount bet on the favorite. The book makes its cash on the vigorish or juice. So, if the amount bet on the underdog is the same as the total amount bet on the underdog, the book is guaranteed a 10% profit on half the bets made, no matter which team covers.

The best linesmakers are individuals who have a feel for precisely what the betting public believes. The betting line they set reflects the betting public’s perception of the strength of the two teams. It doesn’t necessarily reflect the true relative strengths of the two teams. And the sportsbook betting public’s perception is usually wrong.

As soon as you recognize that concept, everything else shall start to fall into place. You shall have an edge over most bettors.

Be objective. Listen to you head not your heart. Don’t bet against the Cowboys just because you want to see them lose. And, trusted quality football (click the following document) do not 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 difficult 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. If you’re uncertain about a game, do not bet it.

Should you bet on the home team? Generally no. On the other hand, in the event you can be objective, you’ve got an edge. You probably know more about your home team than those in other parts of the country since 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, factor that into your decision. Some teams have other teams’ number. Within the last four years the 49ers have covered against the Rams 7 of 8 times and also 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 pattern might not hold and you lose your bet. However, remember the idea is to improve your prospects of winning. Based upon past performance, if you bet on the 49ers to cover against the Rams, you’re more 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 certainly will know about any injuries to key players that could affect the way you bet. Often times, players are injured or aggravate an injury in practice. Or what seemed like a minor injury on Tuesday may turn out to be one which 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 isn’t better. The optimum number appears to be 3 to six 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 is a losing season, as a result of the juice.) Moreover, it’s simpler to pay attention to a limited range of games.

Losing Streaks Happen. No matter what, you can count on a losing streak. It happens to handicappers, professional gamblers, casual bettors, as well as books. Be well prepared to ride it out. If you are using Pro Predictor or a handicapping service, you need to stick with it through the season so that you can 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 definitely will never have and will 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 as well as over until it really is firmly embedded within your mind. Never bet against a streak. And, for anybody who is going to bet on streaks, bet the streak shall continue. And it does not 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.

Consider 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? Keep in mind, 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 should they do cover as well as the streak continues. You’re $110 within the hole. What do you do? Do you bet another $100 against the streak in week 12 because 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 are only $10 loser and that is the end of that. But, 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 into the trap of chasing your loses? Do you continue and try and get back several of your losses? Do you double up within an attempt to cover your loses? Don’t do it. Doubling up is never an excellent idea. It is another trap that can 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. If they fail to cover, you have lost $110 and that is that, much like a regular straight bet. But what happens if they do cover and the streak continues. You’re $100 to the good 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 as well as the streak ends, your net losses are $10. However, if the streak continues, you are guaranteed to come out at least $90 ahead and with each addition week the streak continues, you add another $100 to your winnings.

As such, if you bet against a streak, the most you can win is $100 but you the amount you can lose is limited only by the length of the streak. If you bet with the streak, the most you may lose is $110, but the amount you may win is limited only through the length of the streak.