modelers, dataminers, serious handicappers - important new factor to consider

[cyberbabble]

The dark side of self- and social perception: Black uniforms and aggression in professional sports.

Black is viewed as the color of evil and death in virtually all cultures. With this association in mind, we were interested in whether a cue as subtle as the color of a person's clothing might have a significant impact on his or her behavior. To test this possibility, we examined whether professional football and ice hockey teams that wear black uniforms are more aggressive than those that wear nonblack uniforms. An analysis of the penalty records of the National Football League and the National Hockey League indicates that teams with black uniforms in both sports ranked near the top of their leagues in penalties throughout the period of study. On those occasions when a team switched from nonblack to black uniforms, the switch was accompanied by an immediate increase in penalties.

Full details at http://people.uncw.edu/tothj/PSY355/Frank-Black Uniforms-JPSP-1988.pdf

Ever wonder where all your tax dollars are going?
This research was supported, in part, by National Institute of Mental Health Grant MH39083.

[RickySteve]

So you're saying my successful strategy of only betting black on roulette can be extended to sports betting as well?

[noyb]

The dark side of self- and social perception: Black uniforms and aggression in professional sports.

Black is viewed as the color of evil and death in virtually all cultures. With this association in mind, we were interested in whether a cue as subtle as the color of a person's clothing might have a significant impact on his or her behavior. To test this possibility, we examined whether professional football and ice hockey teams that wear black uniforms are more aggressive than those that wear nonblack uniforms. An analysis of the penalty records of the National Football League and the National Hockey League indicates that teams with black uniforms in both sports ranked near the top of their leagues in penalties throughout the period of study. On those occasions when a team switched from nonblack to black uniforms, the switch was accompanied by an immediate increase in penalties.

Full details at http://people.uncw.edu/tothj/PSY355/...-JPSP-1988.pdf

Ever wonder where all your tax dollars are going?
This research was supported, in part, by National Institute of Mental Health Grant MH39083.

more likely the black shirts are not so much influencing the players' behaviour, as they are influencing how a referee responds to a foul by a black-uniform player versus a similar foul by a non-black-uniform player. anyway, a similar european study showed soccer-teams with red shirts have a significantly better chance of winning a match long term than soccer-teams with blue shirts.

[cyberbabble]

possibly good early season prop bets on penalties.

[TomG]

it works on black people too

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/02/sports/basketball/02refs.html?pagewanted=all

[Dark Horse]

it works on black people too

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/02/sp...pagewanted=all

lol