Football Handicapping

Every handicapper wants to know - who will win the game? It isn't any easier either, choosing the winning team, when the sports books intentionally place numbers on a game to equalize the betting on both sides. Simply put, winning and losing comes down to this- it's all in how you apply the information of facts and data available to a handicapper, the odds makers and the bookmakers. There are many ways people try to win: Instinct, hunches, common sense, luck, various betting instruments and personal loyalties. These methods don't work. In some situations luck may play into the outcome but informed handicappers know better than to depend on pure luck. In fact, the best and most successful handicappers are money managers who search for games with only a high percentage of return. Expert handicappers gather as much information as they can in available statistics, trends, weather, home field and team histories. A noted example of a historical trend is the NFL teams that hit the road to play for three weeks in a row have been generally teams with strong go-against plays. For a decade now experts have known this trend is a sure fire play. Players can find information available in daily publications, news services, computer services of specific detailed programs specifically designed for handicappers. Handicappers need to study as much information as possible and go back as far they can to find the necessary trends

that fit their needs. In the long run, the more time and work devoted to this task insures the handicapper more successful outcomes. Computer services are and help the handicapper to analyze and predict how each team does against the point spread. The programs also reflect the opinions of individuals as every handicapper values some factors more than others. For example, one handicapper may look at the coach to decide a bet, while another may find home field is the most important in each game. There is no right way to make a decision. However, whatever system handicappers find that produces winners for them, they need to discipline themselves to keep that system and never divert from it.