“Discipline and strategy are key to success in sports betting.”
Sharp money and sharp action in sports betting
Prior to diving into the details of tips and tricks in sports betting, it is important to understand what a term sharp is in terms of sports betting. The term “Sharp” refers to a player who constantly wins and has been successful previously. These kinds of players have a significant difference from players who are driven by emotions. They tend to use specific strategies, which are based on the data. So, in general, the sharp player can be described in the following ways:
- A player who plays for a long period of time, and has a positive return
- Does not follow the societal norms or any hints from media
- Sometimes generates their own projected lines
- Uses sophisticated statistical models, as well as has a discipline over the financial aspect.
There are several indicators that can help you spot sharp action. The first indicator is sudden shifts, which are also known as steam moves, which refer to significant and fast line shifts, and can be seen when a lot of bets occur. Always follow the live odds, odds aggregators, and movement of the line. However, bear in mind that sometimes it may be the trick to confuse you, so other indicators need to be taken into account.
The next indicator is a reverse line movement, which is a paradigm, when a line moves against the public sentiment or the majority of bettors, in other words, moves in a different direction. The meaning behind this is that books are fighting popular bias, often because of the opposing team’s good financial support.
Sometimes it may happen that the line freezes and does not move. The explanation for this is that when heavy betting is happening on one side, bookmakers await a big sum in favor of the other; therefore, the line remains unmoved.
Another type of line movement can occur when there is an even split of bets; however, the line can move, which is called 50/50-line movement. It often shows that one of the parties has strong support from sharp bettors.
Finally, the Bet vs. Dollar Discrepancies, in other words, bet splits. This is a common practice of bookmakers to show the statistics of the bet slip or bet versus dollar, showing the percentage of bets or money back up each side. Here, you need to check teams that have a small number of bets but a lot of money; it is an indicator of sharp action. Look for at least a 10% gap between the percentage of money and the percentage of bets.
Be cautious of false signals, delayed sharp bets with slow reaction times, diminishing value as markets grow more efficient, and possible account limitations from sportsbooks targeting chronic sharp bettors.
Caution!
Conclusion
To conclude, we advise you to observe line action, bet-to-dollar ratios, and steam plays and not to get driven to make a bet based on attractiveness. Act fast when you see a clear, sharp signal, like a strong reverse line play. Explore various sportsbooks, particularly if you begin to win often. Sharp bets must be supplemented by market sophistication and your own research. Lastly, monitor results over time. Record which bets were placed on sharp action, their results, and any indicators. These actions can help you to refine your approach, identify trends, and establish a long-lasting advantage.
Online casinos that offer sports betting
We have prepared a list of online casinos that not only offer casino games but also offer sports betting. So, you can try your new knowledge in one of the offered online gambling platforms. Please read our reviews carefully, as they will help you to decide which online casino satisfies your expectations.
Furthermore, if you’re looking for even more casinos and bonuses, be sure to check out our list of new online casinos and the latest bonuses!
Nicole
Meet Nicole, our Head of News and your go-to source for all things gambling! With a keen eye for stories, Nicole keeps you up-to-date on online casinos, industry trends, and exciting gambling news. Her engaging and approachable style makes even the most complex topics enjoyable and easy to understand.
