| The point spread's sole purpose is to even the betting | | | | are to have 50% winners and 50% losers. And that's |
| so that the amount bet on the underdog is equal to the | | | | a losing season, because of the juice.) Also, it's easier |
| amount bet on the favorite. The book makes its | | | | to concentrate on a limited number of games. |
| money on the vigorish or juice. So, if the amount bet | | | | Losing Streaks Happen. No matter what, you can |
| on the underdog is the same as the amount bet on the | | | | count on a losing streak. It happens to handicappers, |
| underdog, the book is guaranteed a 10% profit on half | | | | professional gamblers, casual bettors, and even books. |
| the bets made, no matter which team covers. | | | | Be prepared to ride it out. If you're using Pro Predictor |
| The best linesmakers are those who have a feel for | | | | or a handicapping service, you must stick with it |
| what the betting public believes. The betting line they | | | | throughout the season in order to come out a winner. |
| set reflects the betting public's perception of the | | | | Leaving at the first sign of a losing streak will |
| strength of the two teams. It does not necessarily | | | | guarantee you lose for the season. Suppose you drop |
| reflect the true relative strengths of the two teams. | | | | out only to have the handicapper go 5 for 5 the next |
| And the sportsbook betting public's perception is often | | | | week. Those are 5 wins you'll never have and will |
| wrong. | | | | affect your overall winning percentage. |
| Once you understand that concept, everything else will | | | | Never Bet Against a Streak. This is a key to increasing |
| begin to fall into place. You will have an edge over | | | | your winning and decreasing your losses. Consider this |
| most bettors. | | | | a betting mantra. Say it over and over until it is firmly |
| Be objective. Listen to you head not your heart. Don't | | | | embedded in your mind. Never bet against a streak. |
| bet against the Cowboys just because you want to | | | | And, if you're going to bet on streaks, bet the streak |
| see them lose. And, don't bet on a team just because | | | | will continue. And it doesn't matter whether the streak |
| you like the team. And don't bet on your favorite team | | | | is a winning streak or a losing streak. Ironically, logic will |
| if you are an avid fan. It's almost impossible to be | | | | tell you that the odds of a streak continuing double with |
| objective. Fans tend to be overly optimistic about their | | | | each additional week and you should bet against it. But |
| favorite team or overly pessimistic if things are not | | | | there's a hidden trap. |
| going well. | | | | Consider the following scenario: In week 10, you notice |
| Be consistent. Bet the same amount on each game. | | | | that Green Bay has covered for 4 weeks in a row. |
| Some players bet $200 on games they think are locks | | | | Should you bet that the streak will end? Remember, |
| and $100 on ones they're not so sure of. It's those not | | | | each week the odds against the streak continuing |
| so sure of bets that rack up the losses. If you're | | | | double. |
| uncertain about a game, don't bet it. | | | | Betting Against the Streak: You bet $100 against |
| Should you bet on the home team? Generally no. | | | | Green Bay covering in week 11. Sure enough, they fail |
| However, if you can be objective, you have an edge. | | | | to cover. You're $100 ahead. But what happens if they |
| You probably know more about your home team than | | | | do cover and the streak continues. You're $110 in the |
| those in other parts of the country because the local | | | | hole. What do you do? Do you bet another $100 |
| media gives extensive coverage to the home team, | | | | against the streak in week 12 because the odds |
| coverage that is not shared with the rest of the | | | | against the streak continuing are even greater? If you |
| country. | | | | do, and the streak ends, you win $100 and now are |
| Look for Trends. If you spot a trend, factor that into | | | | only $10 loser and that's the end of that. But, if the |
| your decision. Some teams have other teams' number. | | | | streak continues, you're now $220 in the hole. What do |
| In the last four years the 49ers have covered against | | | | you do now? Do you bite the bullet and take your |
| the Rams 7 of 8 times and the one time they didn't, | | | | losses or do you fall into the trap of chasing your |
| Young was hurt and they had to play Druckmiller, a | | | | loses? Do you continue and try to get back some of |
| rookie. In the last five years, Green Bay has lost 4 out | | | | your losses? Do you double up in an attempt to cover |
| the 5 games played in Detroit. | | | | your loses? Don't do it. Doubling up is never a good |
| Trends are not guarantees. The trend might not hold | | | | idea. It is another trap that can cause you to have |
| and you lose your bet. But, remember the purpose is | | | | huge losses and it isn't worth the gamble. |
| to increase your chances of winning. Based on past | | | | Betting with the Streak: You bet $100 that Green Bay |
| performance, if you bet on the 49ers to cover against | | | | will cover again in week 11. If they fail to cover, you've |
| the Rams, you're more likely to win your bet than to | | | | lost $110 and that's that, much like a regular straight bet. |
| lose. | | | | But what happens if they do cover and the streak |
| Place your bets late in the week. By waiting until the | | | | continues. You're $100 to the good and if you continue |
| end of the week, you'll know about any injuries to key | | | | to bet on the streak, the most you can lose is $10. If |
| players that might affect how you bet. Sometimes, | | | | you bet another $100 with the streak in week 12 and |
| players are injured or aggravate an injury in practice. | | | | the streak ends, your net losses are $10. But, if the |
| Or what seemed like a minor injury on Tuesday may | | | | streak continues, you're guaranteed to come out at |
| turn out to be one that will keep the player out of the | | | | least $90 ahead and with each addition week the |
| game. Also, weather conditions might affect your bet. | | | | streak continues, you add another $100 to your |
| Inclement weather often keeps the scoring down. | | | | winnings. |
| Limit the Number of Games You Bet. More is not | | | | So, if you bet against a streak, the most you can win |
| better. The optimum number seems to be 3 to 6 | | | | is $100 but you the amount you can lose is limited only |
| games. Any more and the winning percentages tend | | | | by the length of the streak. If you bet with the streak, |
| to decline because the law of averages comes into | | | | the most you can lose is $110, but the amount you can |
| play. (The more games you play the more likely you | | | | win is limited only by the length of the streak. |