The point spread’s sole purpose is to even the Bet88 Asia so that the amount bet on the underdog is equal to the amount bet on the favorite. The book makes its money on the vigorish or juice. So, if the amount bet on the underdog is the same as the 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 those who have a feel for 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. And the sportsbook betting public’s perception is often wrong. Once you understand that concept, everything else will begin to fall into place. You will 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, don’t bet on a team just because you like the team. And don’t bet on your favorite team if you are an avid fan. It’s almost impossible to be objective. Fans tend to be overly optimistic about their favorite team or overly pessimistic if things are not going well.
Be consistent. Bet the same amount on each game. Some players bet $200 on games they think are locks and $100 on ones they’re not so sure of. It’s those not so sure of bets that rack up the losses. If you’re uncertain about a game, don’t bet it.
Should you bet on the home team? Generally no. However, if you can be objective, you have an edge. You probably know more about your home 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, factor 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 and the one time they didn’t, Young was hurt and they had to play Druckmiller, a rookie. In 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. But, remember the purpose is to increase your chances of winning. Based on past performance, if you bet on the 49ers to cover against the Rams, you’re more likely to win your bet than to lose.
Place your bets late in the week. By waiting until the end of the week, you’ll know about any injuries to key players that might affect how you bet. Sometimes, 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 Number of Games You Bet. More is not better. The optimum number seems to be 3 to 6 games. Any more and the winning percentages tend to decline because the law of averages comes into play. (The more games you play the more likely you are to have 50% winners and 50% losers. And that’s a losing season, because of the juice.) Also, it’s easier to concentrate on a limited number of games.
