How To Spot Value Betting Opportunities

In real, successful sports gambling, the experts have learned that the key is to obtain value every time they place a bet - meaning better than a team's "true" odds. For example, if every objective assessment assumes the underdog should get 3.5 points, but actually receives 6.5, this overlay is desirable for the investor. This information about value betting can help you learn how it works in your favor.

What to Look For

Simply put, in value betting, you need to look for opportunities to bet when the risk to reward factors weigh favorably for you. Sometimes this does mean you are putting money on the underdog. Lots of people are too scared to do so, but when you take into consideration that a poorer competitor which gets a large point spread just has to lose by fewer points than it receives, the outcome can be valuable for you. In fact, this frequently does happen due to the fact that the favorite's focus is just on winning.

Know Your Stuff

Odds makers don't always know best, so gamblers need to be in top form as far as memorizing the teams and studying results. Since they often have to release information on large numbers of games, their resources must stretch thin and leave vulnerable spots in their judgment. They are only human, so their expertise can be serious but fallible. Identifying a mistake on their part depends on you knowing the ins and outs of gambling on the game like the back of your hand.

Going Against the Grain

Some sporting lineups are known almost as much for their devoted fans and public following as for their skill. A couple examples of this would be baseball's Yankees or basketball's Bulls, thanks to a few high profile stars or a big win. Sometimes, the best-value wager is one against a league like this, due to the fact that the odds makers adjust with the expected public money in mind. This can mean the underdog receives a bigger point spread than usual.

Although you do need to take your team's current status into serious consideration, try not to rely too heavily on the results of their last performances - especially if there was extreme variance. Take all of these factors under careful advisement, combined with well-studied knowledge of the system, and you will be able to catch on to some value betting profits.