Only way to win?

**donjuan** · 10-18-09, 07:26 PM

There are many ways to win in sports betting. Teasers are one way to win without needing to beat the closing number...

**The Bishop** · 10-18-09, 07:50 PM

Like DJ said, it's not the ONLY way to win, but it's a generally a good way. Also, the necessity of beating the closing number depends on the efficiency of the market. In an efficient market like NFL, it is extremely hard to win longterm versus closers. WNBA, not as much.

**roasthawg** · 10-18-09, 08:17 PM

Originally posted by FreeFall

Hey guys is the only way to win in sports gambling, assuming you are making straight bets, is to beat the closing number? IE you try to predict lines that have value and will be lower by gametime? Or are there other ways to make money through straight bets?

Definitely not the only way to win. I play mainly closing lines on cfb and the nfl because I need my money available for baseball betting during the week. Now that the mlb season is over I can jump on some cfb lines early if I want but I play so many games I am forced to play closers on the late cfb games and Saturday night lines on NFL games. Nbd as far as I'm concerned... I do well at football regardless.

**luigi** · 10-19-09, 01:27 AM

there are probably a few GREAT high level handicappers who may be able to squeak a profit on nfl closers, but i'm guessing the number would just be a handful.. i really don't know though, justin would probably be the best person to ask.

**Rich Boy** · 10-19-09, 01:42 AM

The only way to win is to have a positive expected value. Meaning the payout is higher than what it "should" be.

**shantystar** · 10-26-09, 04:07 AM

Originally posted by luigi

there are probably a few GREAT high level handicappers who may be able to squeak a profit on nfl closers, but i'm guessing the number would just be a handful.. i really don't know though, justin would probably be the best person to ask.

yes ron raymond among them!