You might be familiar with the expression ‘the house always wins’, but did you know that this is usually not true in sports betting? In fact, the opposite is usually true. Bookmakers (sometimes known as ‘juicers’) love to spread the misconception that the house always wins because it makes them appear more enticing to the average gambler. This is why you must always bet against the house in order to have a chance of coming out on top. A good rule of thumb is to assume that the opposite of ‘common knowledge’ is always the case when it comes to betting. This means that if everyone is telling you that the Cubs are going to win the World Series, but you believe that the Cardinals have a better chance of winning, then you are probably right!
Why Are Bookmakers In Favor Of The House?
Usually, the bookmakers have the best interest of the gambler in mind when setting the line on a game. In other words, they assume that the average person is still not familiar with how to bet or how to value odds. This is why they would rather take the safer route and assume that the house will win. However, if you have followed my previous advice and learned how to value odds correctly, you will realize that the bookmakers are in fact, in this case, hurting the average gambler by taking such a safe approach to game selection. They are essentially, putting up false odds that are designed to trick the average person into placing bigger wagers than they are actually worth. When this happens, they make a ton of money off of the average person even though they are losing in the long run.
How Do I Figure The Point Spread In Football?
The point spread is used to determine the outcome of football games where the total number of points is not enough to determine the outcome. For instance, in the NFL the point spread is applied to all regular season games involving two teams. If one team is listed as a favorite, then the other team is the underdog, and vice versa. The spread is usually a formula that involves adding together the points scored during the regular season (typically by the teams themselves) and then subtracting the points scored by the opposing team. For instance, if the New York Giants are favored by 3 points and the Washington Redskins are the underdogs, the ‘under’ is 3 points. If the Giants score 19 points while the Redskins manage only 2 points, then the point spread is 17-2, which is a ‘win’ for the Giants.
What Is A Tossup?
A tossup is when one game is so closely matched in point-spread that it is hard to tell which team will win. When this happens, the bookmaker will list both teams as ‘tossups’ on the menu, hoping that this will make the game more interesting to the average bettor. If the spread is within 5 points, or in some cases even 4 points, then there is not much difference in the odds between the two teams. In these types of situations, it is better for the average gambler if they avoid betting on either team because this rarely results in profit regardless of how skilled a guesser one may be. When a game is listed as a tossup, this usually means that the spread is within 10 points, more often than not, with a maximum of 20 points being the longest a game can go without being declared a ‘tossup’ under the current rules. If this happens, it is usually a good idea for the gambler to just walk away because they will lose regardless of how skilled or how smart they are at guessing games.
What Is A Push?
A push is when one team is so far behind in the point spread that it is impossible for them to catch up in the necessary time for the game to end in a tie. In other words, if the Patriots are favored by 3 points and the Colts are the underdogs by 6 points, then there is no question that the Patriots will win because they are clearly behind in the points standings. When this happens the bookmaker will list the game as a ‘push’, but sometimes they will even list a game that they think has a small chance of ending in a tie. This is to make extra money off of the average person because even though the Patriots will win the game, they will most likely lose their wagers because they cannot cover the spread in the allotted time. In these types of scenarios, it is best for the average gambler to just stay away from betting on that game; it is too risky.
You should always keep in mind that the house always wins in sports betting, but it does not have to. As long as you understand the various odds and spreads that the bookies use as a barometer for how they view a game, then you will be able to make the right choices and take advantage of the bookmakers’ tendencies. You just have to learn how to value odds correctly, and use common sense when making your picks. And do not be afraid to back ‘the other side’, because you might be pleasantly surprised at how often this works in your favor.