A bit of honesty

[Stelio Kontos]

I made my first wager in 2009 when I saw that the Florida Gators were favored by 73 over Charleston Southern. I thought the line was ridiculous. I took the dog and won. I never should have made that bet. It made me think that gambling was easy.

I got slaughtered by the books my first two years. Year 3 was a small loss. This is my first year making a profit in football (NCAA and NFL combined). I finally understand how to handicap and look at games individually. I still make some bad decisions but overall I have a handle on money management and I know how to pick my spots.

I want to branch out and start out betting basketball but I have no idea what I am doing.

What do you guys look at in capping basketball? What stats are most important? Are coaching angles as strong as they are in football? Are their advantages to betting halves and quarters with teams that are on road trips?

Please teach me. I will be a sponge of learning.

[crustyme]

fade landers and lang.

[Stelio Kontos]

fade landers and lang.

I was on the Lang fade train during bowl season last year....so much fun.

[cankid]

an important stat is assist/turnovers ratios

[Cuse0323]

I went through a similar process and now I win because I'm near broke and don't make rash decisions. With basketball, you have to think of the last two minutes, it comes down to that. If you believe a team will win, take the ML or take points with an underdog. You'll get screwed many times in the last few minutes trying to cover the spread with a favorite while they give up an easy layup at the end. NBA lines are sharp, college can be taken advantage of if you know the teams, their depth, FT% and size/rebounding.

Also what I've learned recently is if you have a bad few days and have no confidence, take a break. You don't win in the long run when you don't feel confident in your picks and are just pushing the issue to make a pick.

[Stelio Kontos]

an important stat is assist/turnovers ratios

By team or by starting 5?

[19th Hole]

Consider betting 1st Halves.

[NYSportsGuy210]

[Untied]

??????

[milwaukee mike]

nobody can "teach" you how to be a successful basketball handicapper by listing a few tips. The truth is something you realize, not something you are told.

get all the info you can about a few select teams, preferably under the radar ones, and pick a couple spots to make large bets

[Stelio Kontos]

nobody can "teach" you how to be a successful basketball handicapper by listing a few tips. The truth is something you realize, not something you are told.

get all the info you can about a few select teams, preferably under the radar ones, and pick a couple spots to make large bets

I got you...I see what you are saying. What "info" is most important to gather? FT percentage? A 5 game trend of 3 point percentage?

I understand why I lose in football. You can't predict turnovers or injuries. But I obviously understand that 2 defensive teams with strong running games are going to score less so I can make an informed decision to bet the under. I can look at the pass defense statistics of the Bucs and Saints and make an informed decision to bet the over.

In basketball I will have no idea why I lose or win.

When I see a line like School of the Blind - 4 in basketball I have no idea what that means. Are there key numbers in basketball like the the 3 and 7 in football?

[milwaukee mike]

not really any key numbers in hoops, i would pretty much focus on a few teams and wait for good spots to bet them. sounds silly but if you get a feel for a team there are going to be times when you feel strongly that they will cover.

injuries are very important in college hoops, and not too many people pay attention to them, they aren't publicized much for "off the radar" teams