Just Playing Dogs From Now On

BuffaloBill

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I don't know about you guys, but I usually play favorites, and I normally don't do well. Yes, I do have streaks where I will win for a few weeks, but overall, I always end up losing. I just think playing dogs is the way to go. Especially when everyone and their mother is on the same side. Just look at all of the upsets today. I am sure many of you were saying to yourself, no way this team is losing this game, and they did. I am guilty of it myself. No way did I think the rams, panthers and vikings would all lose. I don't know, could have just been one of those weird weeks, but it just seems like year after year, dogs are the way to go. They are especially the way to go when getting 6 or more points. Not just in football, but in every sport. Any thoughts?
 

kneifl

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It varies. You have got to study the teams, I try to bet 50/50 dog & favorites. I bet lots of dogs today and didn't do to well at all! Did VERY VERY well last year, this year has been rough though.

kneifl
 

Stag

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Vegas LOVES when people take favorites (particularly money line favorites) What does that tell you?
Whose side would you rather be on?
Also, go to any point spread database and you will see that dogs cover 51-52 percent in sports.
Why bet favorites religously when the percentages are against you?
What's scary is that you are just now realizing this. really hope you have not been gambling too long. Let this be a lesson.
Words I live by: "The public may root for the underdog in life, but sertainly not the underdog in sports wagering."
 

smurphy

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I don't know, I sure didn't do well with money on dogs today. Picked the wrong ones I guess.

Underdogs are actually only 6-8 ats this week. If I could go back in time and bet on every favorite, I'd do it in a heartbeat.
 

Stag

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sorry if I sounded a bit harsh.
I, too, at an early age, had to learn the hard way about favorites. It was SO frustrating watching and betting games where I was like "They CAN'T lose to this team!"
As we all know, there are MANY spots where the favorite is the right side.
However, I have saved myself tons of aggravation (and money) by playing dogs and not expecting faves to roll over teams, particularly in this age of parity.
 

soul train

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If you are a sports betting gambler that wagers on the NFL regularly, then taking the underdog would be a more profitable way to go. Here are the results from the last 22 years. The percentages have been rounded off.



Sports Betting Season Favorite Win % Dog Win %

THE FAVORITE IS ON THE LEFT,DOG RIGHT

1983 46% 54%

1984 49% 51%

1985 53% 47%

1986 47% 53%

1987 44% 56%

1988 49% 51%

1989 48% 52%

1990 54% 46%

1991 50% 50%

1992 49% 51%

1993 45% 55%

1994 46% 54%

1995 47% 53%

1996 50% 50%

1997 46% 54%

1998 54% 46%

1999 45% 55%

2000 47% 53%

2001 48% 52%

2002 45% 55%

2003 50% 50%

2004
48% 51%



Sports Betting Total 48% 52%




As a sports betting gambler, if you had bet every underdog over the past 22 years you would have done much better than betting the favorite. You could also increase that percentage by getting better numbers than were available at some sportsbooks. Also remember that some games land right on the sports betting number.

It is pretty easy to see the sports betting bottom line though. Underdogs are a better way to go when betting the NFL. Some years have proven profitable doing nothing but betting the dogs. In those 22 years only three times did the dogs come in at less than 50%. Favorites are extremely popular with the betting public but this table shows that they are also popular with the bookmaker, because he wins more often than not when the underdogs cover the spread.

As a sports betting gambler, when you are looking to bet the NFL this season remember to look to take the underdog first. If you remember this one point it may increase your profits all season long. :)
 
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BuffaloBill

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Thanks a lot soul train. That info was really helpful. I always appreciate it when someone has some good insight to add to a post rather than bashing. Just curious, do you know the link to a good site to get all past records versus the spread? Thanks again.
 
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