The art of passing
Is stiff arming the title game a violation of handicapping man law?
While everyone runs to handicap the LSU / Alabama rematch by asking themselves simplequestions like can the Tide solve their special team woes this time around? Will Jordan Jefferson break a few big plays and be the leader LSU needs in crunch time? Can Les Miles really best Nick Saban twice in a season? The real question every bettor needs to be asking himself is there really value betting a game when everyone wants action?
For most recreational gamblers worrying about large limits and having multiple “outs” aren’t normal concerns that factor into the handicapping equation. Whether it’s the the BCS title game, Bulls vs Pistons, or Idaho St vs Wyoming tonight you won’t have a problem betting 110 to win 100 no matter where you chooses to bet. My question is always this having been in the bettor’s shoes before why bother to plunk down hard earned money on Alabama instead of Idaho St if you believe the Bengals offer a better value this evening than the Crimson Tide?
When seeking sustained success in handicapping the key is finding value that gives you an edge over the books. It doesn’t matter if its a side, total, future, or prop finding an opportunity can come anywhere but rarely do these type of opportunities present themselves in championship type settings. As bookmakers we feel confident that our numbers are as tight as they can be to invite large limits for the most public sporting events. To counteract the higher propensity of “softer” numbers in sports that don’t garner as much attention (WNBA, NASCAR, and Arena football) we employ lower limits to protect our assets. General rule of thumb I’ll share with handicappers is that a sport with low limits offers the most long term value and probability of success if you do your homework.
It’s rare to get a bookmaker discouraging bettors from getting involved in sports biggest games and and that’s not my intent here but rather to make you think before you bet. Money wagered on marquee matchups doesn’t offer a higher rate of return than betting WCC hoops so when you deliberate Tigers or Tide this evening, remember betting the Gaels or Dons can be just as lucrative when done correctly. It’s the year of the forward pass in the NFL so it only makes sense it’s a skill you should add to your handicapping playbook to keep your bookmaker off balance.
