Something for Nothing

There are those who think that sports betting is the greatest something-for-nothing action. But in reality, betting pro football to win is a business and has to be treated like one to be successful.

The basics of earning money at this business are that the lines put out by the oddsmakers are created not to predict the real outcomes of matches, nor to educate the public about the comparative strengths of groups, but to attempt to split the gambling public by making one team as attractive as the other. Since the public’s view of a match-up is sometimes incorrect, lines are occasionally wrong concerning the actual differences between two teams.

A bettor that is professional looks for all these lines that are incorrect. When he finds such lines he wagers about themand that’s the only time he wagers.

And how can a winning handicapper locate those lines?

By dispassionately viewing as many games as you can, as well as post-game policy of match-ups you couldn’t tune in to. By keeping records of match statistics and scores, lines, injuries for study. By analysis of game stats as well as motivational factors’ monitoring. By educating yourself on how oddsmakers set lines so you can detect real price. And most important, by shopping aggressively to find the greatest possible lines on games you’ve resolved to bet.

Each the sports bettors that I know in the beginning work hard. We make stakes and don’t simply roll out of bed. We do not go by”inside information.” The advice I use is available to anyone who makes the effort to get it. You should expect to make a similar work from handicapping the NFL to gain. ??

Dan Gordon is the author of a new book. He’s a record as a professional sports bettor for over two years. His sports betting columns have appeared in the New York Daily News, San Francisco Examiner, Boston Herald, Los Angeles Herald Examiner, College and Pro Football Newsweekly, and a number of other magazines and newspapers. From 1984 to 1991 he served as handicapping consultant to Pete Axthelm of NBC, ESPN, and Inside Sports magazine, and more recently as an oddsmaking consultant for sportsbooks global.

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