Experience in the sport?

[DWarrior]

I was wondering how much experience I should have in a particular sport to have any chance at betting successfully? I've never been a big fan of televised sports.

Is this an area that requires you to have played the sport extensively and really being into it, or can this be learned?

[Mr_J]

"Is this an area that requires you to have played the sport extensively and really being into it, or can this be learned?"

You don't really need to be know much about the sport at all. Being good with statistics can be enough.

[tech]

[ QUOTE ]
You don't really need to be know much about the sport at all. Being good with statistics can be enough.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, what he said.

[DWarrior]

Thanks, I'll pick up the recommended books then and see what this is all about.

[Ken_AA]

Sports Betting is tough to beat. Poker can lead to much greater edges. If you'r not a sports fan, betting sports probably has a smaller chance at leading to success then playing the stock market.

Ken

[mrbaseball]

[ QUOTE ]
If you'r not a sports fan

[/ QUOTE ]

Actually fans make some of the absolute worst sportsbettors and (at least in baseball) the herd mentality created by the ESPN generation is what leads to many of the big edges that can be found almost daily.

That said you really should have some understanding of the sport in question and expecially in linemaking procedure and mathematics that go into each potential wager.

[ QUOTE ]
That said you really should have some understanding of the sport in question and expecially in linemaking procedure and mathematics that go into each potential wager.

[/ QUOTE ]

Understanding how lines are created and the mathematics of betting are by far the most important factors. I know a guy who kills college BB every year and he cant name more than 5 players that dont play for UNLV.

[mrbaseball]

[ QUOTE ]
I know a guy who kills college BB

[/ QUOTE ]

College BB is one of the easiest I think. I can't even name 5 players period and I don't try to handicap it at all but I bet it a lot. Hoops is the most upset laden of all big betting sports making it pretty simple to turn a profit at.

[DougOzzzz]

most fans are worse at sports betting than a monkey throwing darts at a board.

[Mr_J]

"Sports Betting is tough to beat."

No, handicapping is tough. Beating sports is quite easy.

"Poker can lead to much greater edges"

Your turnover for poker will be pretty pathetic compared to sports.

"has a smaller chance at leading to success then playing the stock market."

Well sports is a -ev market...