The lines between sports betting and statistics are blurring, and for good reason: Sport data is incredibly useful when it comes to backing your picks. In this article, we’ll discuss the key pieces of data you need to analyze before making any wagers.
Hand Gestures
One of the biggest differences between sports betting and traditional handicapping is the hand gestures used by the bettors. Hand gestures are incredibly important in sports betting because they can be used to convey important information to the bettor’s advantage. For example, a person placing a bet on the Indianapolis Colts may want to indicate their pick by using a ‘push’ hand gesture, as this means they are ‘leaning’ towards the Colts. But if they are placing a bet on the Chicago Bears, they may choose to use a ‘hook’ gesture, as this means they are ‘leaning’ towards the Bears. Hand gestures in sports betting are as important as the words that they accompany; you won’t be able to successfully make a wager without considering the importance of these gestures. It is also important to note that not everyone will associate the same meaning with the same gestures. For example, the ‘push’ gesture may also mean that the person is ‘checking out’ the women in the crowd, or that they are ‘warming up’ for the upcoming fight.
Scoreboard
Another difference between sports betting and traditional handicapping is the scoreboards that display the current status of the game. The scoreboards in sports betting are usually found at the top of the screens where the action occurs, and they are also mobile-compatible so that they can be accessed easily by gamblers from different locations. The scoreboards are a key part of any sports betting experience, and they can be quite useful for handicappers, as they indicate the current outcome of the game, as well as the final score. The scoreboards in sports betting display the following information:
- Game result
- Total runs scored
- Total runs against
- Current score
- Time remaining
- Game time
- Weather conditions
- Field dimensions
- Fashion faux pas
- TV stations airing the game
- Social media influencers tweeting about the event
- Bookmakers’ opinions about the outcome of the game
- Past performance of the teams
If you’re serious about sports betting, you’ll want to acquire the best possible scoreboards that display the above information with the utmost clarity. A good scoreboard isn’t just about the pixels on the screen, but about having everything you need at your fingertips when you need it. The bigger the screen, the better – you want to be able to see all the stats at once so that you don’t have to keep scrolling back and forth to find what you’re looking for. With the above information readily available, you’ll be able to confidently make wagers whenever you want – the only thing missing will be the sound of the crack of the bat or the roar of the crowd.
Odds
One of the most basic aspects of any sports betting exchange is the odds, or the chances of something occurring as per the laymen’s interpretation. Essentially, the odds tell you how good (or bad) the favorite is in comparison to the underdog. The odds in sports betting can vary quite a bit, from extremely unlikely to occur (often found in fixed odds betting or OVAL tables) to extremely likely to occur (often found in accumulator-type bets). The chances of one team winning a game may also be expressed in absolute terms (e.g., 6.5), or in a form factor that is more intuitive for the average person (e.g., 2.5). It’s important to keep in mind that the chances of something occurring can vary based on a variety of factors, including the day of the week, the time of day, the score, and the weather conditions. In some cases, you may even need to adjust for the location of the game – for example, if it’s a road game played in a cold weather condition, the odds may be adjusted to account for the fact that it is less likely to snow or rain at the game location. Additionally, in cases where there is more than one football game being played on a particular day, the bookmaker may adjust the odds based on which game is deemed to be the most significant (i.e., highest-rated game according to the betting public). Finally, in cases where the outcome of the game is in doubt, the odds may be adjusted based on the number of goals each team is scoring and allowing. In instances where there is more than one overtime period, the odds may also be adjusted based on the length of the overtime periods. In summary, the above illustrates that the odds in sports betting can be quite complex, and they can vary significantly based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to the teams competing, the time of day, the location, the weather, and other similar events that may occur during the game. For this reason, odds are something you should closely monitor and analyze when researching potential wagers – you may find that some games have the same odds, but this doesn’t mean that they are equivalent bets. As a general rule of thumb, you should always assume that the underdog is better in every way (e.g., has a better record, is more experienced, is playing at a better venue, etc.) and thus has the edge in the odds. This general rule of thumb should not be taken literally, as there are always exceptions to the rule – but it is something you should keep in mind when placing your wagers.
Moneyline
One of the most basic questions you’ll need to ask yourself when deciding whether or not to make a wager is: What is the payout if I lose? The answer to this question is: The money line, or the’moneyball’ of betting. The moneyline is simply the amount of money you’ll need to wager in order to win. For example, if you’re playing at a $1-to-win single-game bet, you’ll need to stake $1 to enter the game, but if you win, you’ll only get your $1 back. In cases where there is more than one outcome, the moneyline will be the same, but with different amounts depending on which outcome you prefer. For instance, if you like the Seattle Seahawks, but you hate the New England Patriots, you may decide to bet on the Seahawks, but you’ll need to stake $2 to win your $1. In cases where there is more than one overtime period, the moneyline will be the same, but with different amounts depending on how many minutes have elapsed in each period. In cases where the game is in doubt, the moneyline will be the same, but with different amounts based on how many goals each team is scoring and allowing. The important thing to keep in mind about the moneyline is that it is a quick and easy way to find out what you’re wagering on without having to do any research; all you need to know is the payback if you lose. This makes the moneyline a popular choice among recreational bettors who want to place a quick bet without having to do any research.
Over/Under
Another interesting facet of any sports betting exchange is the over/under line. The over/under line is the total number of points (usually expressed in terms of goals or yardage) that a team is estimated to score minus the total number of points it is estimated to allow. For example, if the betting odds are 5 goals scored and 7 goals allowed, the over/under line would be 2 goals; if the betting odds are 6.5 goals scored and 5.5 goals allowed, the over/under line would be 1.5 goals. Over/under lines vary quite a bit, from very low to very high, and it is important to keep in mind that this number is usually calculated based on historical data and many factors, including but not limited to the teams competing, the time of day, the location, the weather, and similar events that may occur during the game. When placing your wagers, it is usually best to choose an over/under line that is in-between the favorite and the underdog, as this is the safest route to go – you’ll never know how the game may turn out, so you can’t predict what may happen.