How to do you homework for Sports Betting
Homework is universally disliked for its cringe-worthy connotations. However, when it comes to money matters, blind investing is never a good idea. Just as you wouldn’t purchase a TV without conducting some research, or invest in the stock market without reviewing reports, you shouldn’t place bets on sports without doing your due diligence. Unsure of where to start? Allow us to guide you through the process of researching and preparing for sports betting.
Read the Big News
For many, this is the first step in conducting research. It involves browsing websites such as ESPN, FOX Sports, and Sports Illustrated to stay up to date with the latest news in sports. This can cover a range of topics including injuries, trends, analysis, and more. Keep in mind that these sites have experts who closely follow sports and teams, so it’s important to consider their insights and information before making any bets.
Focus On The Regular Stats
While visiting a website like ESPN, it’s crucial to analyze the statistics they provide. This includes basic information such as a team’s current winning streak, performance at home versus on the road, and how they match up against division rivals versus teams outside their division. This data is incredibly valuable for making informed decisions.Additionally, delving into player profile pages is highly beneficial, especially in sports like baseball. Here, you can see a pitcher’s historical performance in specific months or against particular teams, providing valuable insights for strategic planning.
Incorporate Analytical Stats
The modern approach to completing homework involves considering new analytical statistics. For instance, those who embrace advanced metrics would argue that in hockey, puck possession is more important than win-loss records. In baseball, the metric WAR (wins above replacement) is seen as a crucial stat for evaluating players, rather than whether they were chosen for the All-Star team. In basketball, you can now analyze a player’s performance at the rim versus on the perimeter, while in hockey, you can compare a player’s performance in their own zone to other areas. Similarly, in basketball, you can evaluate a team’s effectiveness in points-per-possession.While it may be overwhelming, these advanced stats provide additional information to help assess a game. While some may prefer to rely on instinct, considering certain advanced stats can often make you a more effective handicapper.
Digest Some Betting Stats
When it comes to sports, the goal isn’t always to win championships, but to win bets. That’s why it’s important to look beyond traditional stats and delve into advanced and betting statistics. For example, take the Golden State Warriors who had a stellar season winning 73 games. However, their dominance often led to large spreads. It’s crucial to examine how they performed as favorites of 9.5-12 points and against strong defensive teams. Websites like SBR and StatFox can provide valuable insights to help you make informed betting decisions. Before placing your bets, always check out the betting stats for the game to increase your chances of success.
Get Opinions
Lastly, an excellent way to ensure that you’ve done your homework is to chat about the games with someone else. Whether it’s a friend that also bets or members of a forum, it’s beneficial to go over what you see in the lines, where you see the edge, and how you’ve come to that conclusion. It’s possible you missed something or someone you respect simply sees the game differently. If you go at it alone, you won’t get that feedback.