Skip to main content

Sharps and Squares

If you’ve been exposed to the world of sports betting, you’ve likely come across the terms ‘sharps’ and ‘squares’ being used frequently. There is a common desire to steer clear of squares and to be associated with sharps. But who exactly are these individuals and how can you identify them? Let’s delve into the distinction between sharps and squares.

Who or What is a Square

A square is an average sports bettor who may be referred to as “the public,” “Joe Q. Public,” or a “recreational bettor.” They typically do minimal research before placing bets, relying on quick information from social media or television. Unlike well-researched and strategic bettors, squares often make hasty decisions. While many bettors fall into this category, few would openly admit to being one. However, the reality is that most people lose in sports betting, with squares outnumbering sharps. Las Vegas’ luxurious hotels on The Strip are a testament to this imbalance.

Tendencies Of A Square

  • Betting the lines right before game time (because they didn’t plan ahead)
  • Betting with emotion instead of betting with logic, such as betting on their “favorite teams” Boston Red Sox +120
  • Betting just because a game is on TV
  • Not fully researching a game, the matchup, injuries, or other key factors
  • Not shopping around for the best price on a game
  • Betting parlays that have big payouts but small chances of winning
  • Someone who buys picks from professional handicappers

Who’s A Sharp?

Now that you know what a square is, you can guess what a sharp is: it’s the opposite. Some other names for a sharp bettor could be a “smart guy” or a “wise guy.” These are the bettors that bet on sports for a living: they study the sports, they examine the lines and they’re very calculated. They’re the ones who have some influence in Las Vegas and online in terms of the sportsbooks. The oddsmakers don’t care what the squares do because those guys will lose money in the long run. However, they have to keep a close eye on what the sharps do because they’re the ones that are going to find value and take advantage of any inaccuracies in the betting lines.

There are many sportsbooks that avoid sharps because they don’t see them as a winning proposition. They rather book the recreational players and have them come in and lose a bunch of money with minimal effort. There are rumors that a number of the UK sportsbooks and companies like Bodog and SportsInteraction have been known to drop limits and halt sharp guys from playing. Some of the books that welcome the wiseguys are Pinnacle and The Greek. Those companies – as well as Las Vegas oddsmakers – track the sharps very closely and adjust lines based on their moves.

Tendencies Of A Sharp

  • Calculated bettor
  • Pro who does this for a living
  • Has multiple accounts at multiple sportsbooks to get the best price
  • Tracks their betting history to monitor wins, losses, and profits
  • Bets the lines early
  • Tracks the line movement very closely
  • Bets larger amounts than squares
  • Their bets will move the lines
  • Will find value wherever it is – even if it’s a smaller event
  • Many will have formulas or systems that they stick to
  • Are very patient (i.e. waits for an opening rather than betting just to bet)
  • Sticks to a specific betting pattern rather than betting random amounts on random games