Sports Betting: What you know, when you know it.

In the world of sports handicapping knowledge is king. Everything from general statistical facts about a specific event, to what the lead player did on the practice field has relevance. Where a game is played is often more important than who is actually playing the game, and many times an unexpected (thus unplanned for) entry can effect the outcome of a contest. Here are some important basic bits of information that play a major role in handicapping a football game or any sporting event.

Statistics and Tendencies

Handicapping and betting a sporting contest starts with statistical analysis. Statistics are kept for almost every aspect of the major sporting events. Runs scored, touchdowns made, free throw attempts, and goals scored are religiously maintained for each contest and individual. These statistics are rendered down into concise numerical values which are then applied to a contest. Using this information is the essence of handicapping and sports betting.

History

What is the past history of the teams (or individuals) involved in the contest? How often have they faced each other and what was the outcome. Are the teams (or individuals) bitter rivals? Are they part of a larger in-state rivalry? Has one team traditionally dominated the other even when they have had an otherwise poor record? These are all crucial historical facts that can be translated into a numerical value that can be used in handicapping a match.

Weather

What will the weather conditions be like at the time of the contest? Do the conditions favor one opponent’s style of play over the others? Does one team traditionally perform poorer in very cold or very hot weather? Will windy conditions affect one team more adversely than another? Is it likely that a game might be postponed or even called because of bad weather, thus shortening the game?

Who is the coach or trainer?

The reputation of the coach of a team can actually factor into the handicapping of a sporting event. There is one coach (who shall remain nameless here) who when coaching his team in a playoff situation, actually has a negative point value applied to his team’s handicap.

Emotion

Never underplay the part raw emotion can play in handicapping a sporting event; especially at the collegiate level. Home town rivalries and ‘grudge’ matches can swing an otherwise simple to handicap contest into an out-and-out upset. Emotion is no stranger to the professional ranks either. Many a professional game has turned upon a momentum swinging emotionally charged call or incident.

Injury

No one factor can have an immediate effect on a professional game as an injury to a star player. Professional football (because of their limited playing schedule) is most susceptible to this, while professional baseball (due to their larger rosters and long season) is least affected. While it is true that injuries generally play a lesser role in amateur or college events (because of their typically higher rosters), injuries can none-the-less impact the handicapping of a contest. The loss of a key player in this instance translates into a loss of morale.

No matter what type of sporting contest is being held; individual or team, amateur or professional, a wager can be made and a handicap is being applied. The ability to both understand why a particular event is handicapped the way it is, and to use a valid handicapping method oneself is what separates the successful gambler from the amateur.