An idea

[Jibbs]

I like this idea. I know I am not the handicapper that some of you are here (especially during basketball season) but I would offer my skills as a software developer up to the group.

[BaronVonCP]

yeah me too, i'm just getting into the whole sports betting thing, but I am willing to do a lot of work.

[20Five]

Cool..

everyone brings strengths and weaknesses to the table, thats the advantage to having a group.

Seems like we have lots of interest amongst newew sports bettors.. think we would definetly need the guidance of some experienced bettors to keep the course steady.

Dont need the blind leading the blind [img]/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img] hehe jk

where are all the vets [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[slogger]

Count me in the interested, willing to contribute, but probably not bringing much to the table category.

I do have a great deal of interest in sports betting, however, and I am actively trying to learn as much as possible as quickly as possible.

[tech]

Here are some suggestions that come to mind.

1. For legal reasons, keep things as informal as possible. Any sort of organized group betting is almost universally banned at sportsbooks. Even worse, federal laws against sports betting online generally do not apply to individual bettors, but they could (and have been) applied to groups.

2. You need a way to prevent a situation where a lot of people are benefiting from the work of a few. This has been the ultimate demise of many of these groups. Ask Michael Kent.

3. I think the "no secrets" rule stinks. I would never give out all the details of the way I bet. If I did, other people could simply do the same things and beat me to the lines I want.

[20Five]

All three are very good comments.. any headway with this idea from anyone?

[kaf22]

tech,

You bring up some excellent points. I waited for a couple of days to see if someone with more experience than I would respond. I'm a mere noob, so I might be completely off base but here are my thoughts on your concerns.

1. I'd say to make it more of a discussion group, if any individual chooses to make a wager based on the group's research, so be it. I think the thing that would get us in trouble is if we were to act as a unified front (pooling money, etc.) Basically I would see this as nothing more than a 2+2 style forum, albeit with a more stringent membership requirement.

From what I've gathered from this thread, most (if not all) of us are looking for a place to discuss our theories and help each other do some of the legwork. IANAL, but I wouldn't think we'd get into any legal trouble because we wouldn't be a gambling organization, just a forum. As far as the sportsbooks go, I wouldn't think that they'd see it much differently than they view this forum or SSB.

2. The way I envision it working is in a co-op style. If someone is not pulling their weight, whatever the group may decide that is, they get kicked out of the group. I would think that most of the less experienced guys, such as me, are there to learn the tricks of the trade. I'm thinking that we, the inexperienced guys, can do some research on some of the less prestigious games, come up with a pick w/ justification and let the group as a whole debate the merits of it. Perhaps even implement some sort of probationary period a new member would have to go through, to avoid the inevitable deluge of leaches.

3. I agree with you on this one. I would leave it up to each member to decide what he or she is willing to divulge. As long as they are contributing to the group, I would see no problem with it.


I'd really like to see this thing take off. If anyone else is seriously considering this, let's try to hammer out some details.

Kaf

[20Five]

So basically we wouldnt really have too much different going on then what already goes on here.. people share some picks and info..

The only thing I think would benefit if it was more well organized.. more experienced people capping games, maybe asking less experienced people to analyze similar matchups.. or scouting trends..

Could obviously break down different groups, those who watch where the money is being played and its effect on the line.. those who scan for injuries, and their impact in matchups in as much detail as required.. as discussed somewhat before maybe designate certain people to watch certain divisions or teams for information.. and on and on.. tying all that together lets everyone build stronger conclusions to base picks on.. but would require much more time and effort..

hard to diss the system now, which is almost capitalistic on most sports betting forums... good cappers post, and people watch.. bad cappers come and go and no one is interested in their threads.. there are a few posters on here who have built up quite a bit of credit or rep on here, thats just the way it works.

im not sold on the idea that having a 'group' really is going to bring more to the table then what we already have [img]/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]

[eric5148]

I'm certainly interested.

So, you're saying each member of the group contributes research in a certain area. Then each member makes picks for their specialty. Therefore, every member is kind of mooching off of every other member?

My one and only "specialty" is golf. I've made about 200 golf bets between this year and last year, and I'm ahead 10 units. I know this proves nothing, but I do know a lot about the game and study it obsessively. Not sure how much interest in golf there is here, but that's what I could contribute.