Included in this section are common knowledge tips for money management as well as a little bit how Vegas lines work.  The more you understand about the bookies, the better you know to make the right plays! 

Bankroll Management

One of the most effective but often overlooked concept of winning sports betting is bankroll management. The term bankroll refers to the amount of money reserved for gambling, not the player's overall savings. Players should not risk more than 5% of their bankroll amount for each bet (or "play"). For example, if you deposit $1000 to an online sportsbook, it would be recommended to risk no more than $50 for one play.  By risking a small portion of your bankroll, you are less likely to gamble your whole bankroll on bad runs. Disciplined players can wager a higher portion of their bankroll, but it is important to keep the principles of bankroll management in mind with each session.  It is equally important to eliminate the temptation to chase your losses with bigger bets. 

Some sports picks are measured in "units."  For example, next to a pick, you may see a number between 1-5 Units, with 5 being the strongest pick.  One unit represents 5% of your bankroll.  So if your bankroll is $2000, one unit would equal to $100.  If you have a 5 unit play, you can risk $500, $400 for 4 units, etc. 

Point Spreads, Moneylines, and Over/Unders

A few popular methods of betting listed in the heading are features you'd find at almost all sports books.  Moneyline bets are "straight up" win or loss bets often leading to a greater risk for favorites and a higher payout for underdogs.  If the Indianapolis Colts' moneyline is -600 vs. the Houston Texans' +350, it would mean the bettor would have to risk $600 to win $100 on Indianapolis, while a $100 bet on the Texans would yield a $350 win.  The general purpose of point spread betting is to create an active market for both sides of a wager.  If, in the same game, the Colts were favored by 8.5 points (-8.5), they would have to win by 9 points to cover the spread and win the bet.  If the line was -8, and the Colts won by 8 points, the result is what as known as a "push" or a tie, meaning the bettor is returned his bet amount.  An Over/Under bet is simply wagering on the combined final scores.

Point spread bets and Over/Under moneylines are usually -110.  That is, in order to win $100, the bettor must risk $110.  Each sports book has the option to set each moneyline, and many will adjust theirs to their customer's tendencies.  Most online sports books have much smaller minimum bets, keep in mind that the bet amount is proportional to the moneyline.

Bookies publish lines in the hopes of getting equal action on both sides.  Thus, if action is skewed to one side, a bookie will adjust the line in hopes of swaying future bettors to the other side.  The most notable recent example was Suberbowl 42 between the Patriots and Giants.  The opening line favored the Patriots by 14 points.  Game time lines were favored New England by only 11-11.5 points.  There was so much action on New York, the line jumped 3 points to sway more action towards New England.  Sportsbook losses were in record numbers after this play!  The point of this is to pay attention to where the line moves.  You may find a more favorable line at another sportsbook than your regular. 

 

 

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