Beat Sportsbooks with these Tips

How to Beat Sportsbooks

💰Value Betting
🕒Early Betting
📈Using Odds Comparators
✅Conclusion

Sports bettors all over the country are wondering about how to beat the sportsbooks. As sports gambling gets legalized across the US, more and more fans are able to take on the sportsbooks.

Betting should be fun first and foremost. Ultimately, though, bettors want to get one over the sportsbooks. Whether this is with a few big wins or gradually developing a profit, there are different ways to beat the sportsbooks.

Millions of people have tried their hand at sports betting for the first time over the last few years. It is a pastime surging across America. Betting is now a foundation of sporting discourse, and more and more fans will inevitably develop an interest in online gambling. We have a handy ranking of the best US sportsbooks for you to check out.

Join DraftKings today

Beating the bookmakers with a Value bet

Finding value is the aim for every bettor. Doing so means identifying a wager that you believe has a better chance of landing than the odds suggest. It is easy to calculate the implied probability of a wager either using a calculator or searching for an odds converter.

For instance, if the Dodgers are 2/1 to beat the Giants, Los Angeles has a 33.3% implied probability. Do you think they’ve got a better than one-in-three chance of winning? In that case, there is value in this market.

This is also very helpful when evaluating futures markets.

If the Knicks are 20/1 to win the NBA Finals, they are being given an implied probability of just 4.8%. You don’t have to see the Knicks as favorites to view this as a value bet. Even if your projections give the Knicks a 6% shot of lifting the Larry O’Brien Trophy, that still means the sportsbook’s odds are too long.

Focusing in on value bets is where you can get an edge over the bookmaker. Over time, these are the wagers that will prove profitable. A value wager will not necessarily pay off in the short term, but if you persist with backing value bets, you are likely to get the better of the bookie.

How you determine value will vary. Some will use advanced analytics and projection models. Others will take a more qualitative approach, backing their own instincts to sniff out the value bets in any given sport.

Does the line feel too harsh on a team going into the Super Bowl? Is that win total just a bit too high? These are the sort of questions to consider when looking for value.

Early bets to outsmart bookmakers

Betting early is a great way to gain an advantage. If bookmakers have misjudged the odds, place your bet quickly before others put money on it and force the odds to move. When you identify what you consider to be a value bet, jump at the opportunity to back it.

Sportsbooks do misvalue markets. The longer the market is open, the more time there is for it to correct itself.

For example, if a huge amount of money goes on the Chiefs -2.5, the line is going to move further in Kansas City’s favor to -3, -3.5 or even -4. Reacting as fast as possible is a way to outsmart bookmakers. While you’re not directly competing with other bettors, the way others behave will have an impact on the odds.

It is always worth looking over odds soon after they are released. This is true for both game lines and futures markets. When World Series winner odds go live, for instance, a relative outsider might really pop as value. Others may well see the same team as a good bet. If you wait, the price could well shorten, and particularly so if they then start the regular season well.

Part of this strategy to beat sportsbooks is about backing yourself. Be decisive. Go for it when you spot a value bet.

It can, however, also be worth waiting on some occasions. Sometimes you will project line movement in your favor. Say the Celtics have started the season really well, but they have a tough run of games to come. It can be beneficial to wait for a few Celtics losses to get a longer price.

Timing is always something to consider. While none of us can predict the future, experienced bettors will have a decent idea of how odds will move. Use that to your advantage to generate an edge over the bookies.

The importance of odds comparators

Sports bettors should regularly use odds comparison websites. It’s commonplace to shop around for the best deal, so why not do the same with sports betting?

Part of finding a value bet is comparing the price at different sportsbooks. BetMGM, DraftKings, FanDuel and Caesars are renowned for having competitive prices, but odds on a specific market will often vary across even the very best sports betting sites.

Having multiple accounts across different sportsbooks allows you to access the best odds. It is also a means to receive the maximum number of promotions.

Numerous odds comparison sites are available. It’s a case of finding your favorite interface. Oddschecker is increasing in popularity with US sports bettors, showcasing a range of bookmakers from the big boys through to some lesser-known brands.

Visiting an odds comparison website should be a part of your pre-bet research. Even if you’ve found a value bet on your preferred sportsbook, it is always a good idea to compare prices to make sure you are getting the best possible deal. Then, you should consider other factors like potential early payouts, cashouts and possible fees for withdrawing funds.

Conclusion

There is never any guarantee of beating the sportsbooks. That, though, is part of the appeal of sports gambling. Developing a successful betting strategy is a constant challenge.

It’s important to adapt and tweak your strategy as you go. New markets, new sportsbooks and new ways to conduct research means you need to have your finger on the pulse.

Keep track of your wagers to find what works for you. Experiment with betting early. Try different ways of projecting outcomes to help you decide on which bets present the best value.

See where the money is going. Watch out for betting trends, from how often teams are covering the spread to whether sharps are consistently backing the over on a specific player prop.

Figuring out how to beat the sportsbooks is a constant work in progress even for the most profitable sports bettors. Take your time, be open-minded and be thorough in your research.