[youtalkfunny]

Assuming you're talking about -110 bets:

You are getting paid 1.91-for-1 (10/11)+1=1.91.

Multiply your win percentage by 1.91. For example, if you're picking 55% winners, then 55*1.91=105.05.

Subtract 100, and you get 5.05. This is your edge if you can pick 55% winners (just like a casino has a 5.26% edge over you at the roulette table).

If you can pick 67% winners, then (67*1.91)-100=27.97, or a 28% edge.

As for the last part, forget about paying for picks. The guys who can win at a decent rate, aren't sharing any info for any price. The guys who ARE selling picks, aren't winning anything (unless they're having a lucky year).

For ten years, I've been posting in poker forums, sharing ideas and strategies. If YOU get good at poker, there's still plenty of chances for ME to make money.

But if my strategies to beat sports get publicized, my oppurtunities will dry up QUICK.

David S mentioned an angle for betting NBA playoff games in GFaL. Once word got out about it, that edge evaporated in a hurry.

(The exception seems to be NFL teasers, but that seems like poker--there are enough idiots out there betting them wrong, that the books continue to take the bet, and let smart players beat them.)