A question on Reverse Line Movement

[Alchemist]

Does anyone know what Reverse Line Movement is caused by? I searched the web and found multiple answers. Is it due to
1) a larger amount of money coming in by a smaller number of individuals? (possibly sharp bettors or whales)
2) Sportsbooks encouraging betting on one side because they believe the other side to win and don't mind not having a balanced amount of bettors on both sides
3) Sportsbooks moving the lines falsely to trick people who are watching line movements so that bettors cannot gain an advantage.
Is it one of these? Multiple?
The reason I ask is because I feel the credibility of RLM depends on the reasoning the line moves in the first place. Sorry if the question has been asked before.

On a side note, I was just wondering, if anyone betted on NBA and college, why do you bet on the NBA? College seems much safer and less volatile?

Thanks

[BigDofBA]

All of the above.

If RLM goes against you as you have already placed a large wager, you always lose. At least that's what it seems like.

If RLM goes in your favor, and you have already placed a large bet, you win like 55% of the time.

It sucks when I already have a bet in and RLM goes against me. My bet almost always loses.

You definitely don't want to be on he other side.

[Speedy88]

all the above

[Alchemist]

Ah okay. Thanks for the responses. There wasn't any official information out there so I wasn't sure. Wasn't completely sure if sportsbook would just arbitrarily move the lines or bet on one side. Makes the whole RLM thing a lot more complicated haha.

[moshi]

Lol, if it were easy people would've figured it out by now.