There are many special systems for picking a football winner and there seems to be a thousand different "Cheat Sheets" out there. The best system is common sense and betting with a well laid out plan.
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Football Point Spreads
Can 3? points be a better line than 9? points? You bet!
Football scoring is a "numbers game" ? points are added to the score in units of 2, 3, 6, 7 or 8. With this in mind, its important to realize that CERTAIN POINT SPREADS posted by the bookmaker ARE MORE IMPORTANT than others. Because a relatively high percentage of games end with a margin of victory in increments of these numbers, it's imperative that attention be paid to the most meaningful point spreads.
Well over half of all pro football games end with one of ten possible differences in the score: 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 14, or 17 (not necessarily in that order!)
So, the "Half-Point" move off any of these numbers can represent a significant betting opportunity.
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Watch for Threes!
For example, a line of +3.5 is a BARGAIN compared to that same underdog at +3 ? this indicates that the favored team must now score a touchdown as opposed to a field goal in order to win the game. So, in essence, a line move to +3.5 can be considered much more significant that, say, a line move from +5 to +5.5.
And, by the same logic, a point spread that moves from +3 to +2.5 indicates a RISKY BET on the underdog. These half-point line changes from a point spread of 3 can be much more significant than larger changes.
For instance, a line change from +7.5 to +9.5 is hardly worth noticing. Because football games do not usually end with a margin of 8 or 9, the move from +7.5 to +9.5 doesn't make much difference. When a team covers, or fails to cover, 7.5 points, they almost always cover, or fail to cover, 9.5 as well.
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Lucky 13 - It's the Magic Number!
To gamble on football, it's important to realize that certain scores are more likely to occur than other scores. Would you believe that only 13 different numbers represent more than 66% of all NFL football scores!
It's true! When predicting final football scores, you must take into account these REAL NUMBERS ?
7, 10, 13, 14, 16, 17, 20, 21, 23, 24, 27, 28, and 31
These numbers (plus scores in the category of "Over 40") are the only real numbers worth considering when forecasting the final outcome. Always adjust your predictions accordingly.
In other words, say you've forecast the Titans over the Rams by a score of 30-26 ? this score probably won't happen! Adjust your numbers to a score with a higher probability of occurring ? say, 31-24 or 28-27. Now you are dealing with a point spread worthy of consideration.
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College Football Betting Tactics
1.) One Game Does Not A Season Make
Alway approach football betting in terms of an entire season or seasons. One or two losing weekends should never spell disaster - off weeks are an inevitable part of sports gambling. Successful bettors "grind out" their winnings over the course of the season. In other words, don't try for the big kill on one game - simply set your goals (and your money management systems) to win more games than you lose over the long haul.
2.) Early Season Pointspread and Money Line Value
Look for excellent moneyline and point spread values early in the season, before the odds makers have had a chance to "catch up" with which teams are hot and which teams are not. Start your football handicapping analysis during the summer so you'll be ready to take full advantage of the first few weeks of the season.
3). Bet Quality, Not Quantity
Narrow your weekly betting choices down to no more than 5 - 7 games per week. It's a rare week when more than a few games will stand out as good wagering values. Find these games and you'll better your odds of winning more than you lose.
4.) Shop For The Best Odds and Lines
With hundreds of online sportsbooks and more springing up every season, college football lines and point spreads will vary from sportsbook to sportsbook. Be certain that you are getting the best odds for your betting dollars.
5.)History Does Not Always Repeat Itself
Never put too much stock in a team's performance in a single game. Much to the bookmakers' delight, most gamblers are enticed by a team who looked great the previous week. The oddsmakers will adjust the lines to reflect this effect, and in the process the team in question will have poor line value. Plus, last week's "great" team usually comes back down to earth the following week and fails to cover.
----------------------------
Football Point Spreads
Can 3? points be a better line than 9? points? You bet!
Football scoring is a "numbers game" ? points are added to the score in units of 2, 3, 6, 7 or 8. With this in mind, its important to realize that CERTAIN POINT SPREADS posted by the bookmaker ARE MORE IMPORTANT than others. Because a relatively high percentage of games end with a margin of victory in increments of these numbers, it's imperative that attention be paid to the most meaningful point spreads.
Well over half of all pro football games end with one of ten possible differences in the score: 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 10, 11, 13, 14, or 17 (not necessarily in that order!)
So, the "Half-Point" move off any of these numbers can represent a significant betting opportunity.
-----------------------------
Watch for Threes!
For example, a line of +3.5 is a BARGAIN compared to that same underdog at +3 ? this indicates that the favored team must now score a touchdown as opposed to a field goal in order to win the game. So, in essence, a line move to +3.5 can be considered much more significant that, say, a line move from +5 to +5.5.
And, by the same logic, a point spread that moves from +3 to +2.5 indicates a RISKY BET on the underdog. These half-point line changes from a point spread of 3 can be much more significant than larger changes.
For instance, a line change from +7.5 to +9.5 is hardly worth noticing. Because football games do not usually end with a margin of 8 or 9, the move from +7.5 to +9.5 doesn't make much difference. When a team covers, or fails to cover, 7.5 points, they almost always cover, or fail to cover, 9.5 as well.
-----------------------------
Lucky 13 - It's the Magic Number!
To gamble on football, it's important to realize that certain scores are more likely to occur than other scores. Would you believe that only 13 different numbers represent more than 66% of all NFL football scores!
It's true! When predicting final football scores, you must take into account these REAL NUMBERS ?
7, 10, 13, 14, 16, 17, 20, 21, 23, 24, 27, 28, and 31
These numbers (plus scores in the category of "Over 40") are the only real numbers worth considering when forecasting the final outcome. Always adjust your predictions accordingly.
In other words, say you've forecast the Titans over the Rams by a score of 30-26 ? this score probably won't happen! Adjust your numbers to a score with a higher probability of occurring ? say, 31-24 or 28-27. Now you are dealing with a point spread worthy of consideration.
----------------------------
College Football Betting Tactics
1.) One Game Does Not A Season Make
Alway approach football betting in terms of an entire season or seasons. One or two losing weekends should never spell disaster - off weeks are an inevitable part of sports gambling. Successful bettors "grind out" their winnings over the course of the season. In other words, don't try for the big kill on one game - simply set your goals (and your money management systems) to win more games than you lose over the long haul.
2.) Early Season Pointspread and Money Line Value
Look for excellent moneyline and point spread values early in the season, before the odds makers have had a chance to "catch up" with which teams are hot and which teams are not. Start your football handicapping analysis during the summer so you'll be ready to take full advantage of the first few weeks of the season.
3). Bet Quality, Not Quantity
Narrow your weekly betting choices down to no more than 5 - 7 games per week. It's a rare week when more than a few games will stand out as good wagering values. Find these games and you'll better your odds of winning more than you lose.
4.) Shop For The Best Odds and Lines
With hundreds of online sportsbooks and more springing up every season, college football lines and point spreads will vary from sportsbook to sportsbook. Be certain that you are getting the best odds for your betting dollars.
5.)History Does Not Always Repeat Itself
Never put too much stock in a team's performance in a single game. Much to the bookmakers' delight, most gamblers are enticed by a team who looked great the previous week. The oddsmakers will adjust the lines to reflect this effect, and in the process the team in question will have poor line value. Plus, last week's "great" team usually comes back down to earth the following week and fails to cover.
