Question: Availabilty of information and betting success.

[SlickFazzer]

With the availability of tons of information on the Internet today concerning teams, players, statistics, match-up, point spreads, computer programs....etc, etc, etc....You would expect a more informed, maybe a more "sharp gambler", than you did say 10-15 years ago.

That being said, are a higher % of people winning at sports betting than say 10 years ago? (ie, 2.5% now vs 1 or 2 percent in the past)

Or as our own Mr. Santoro has stated, the more information you have the worse off you may be?

[Chi_archie]

good question... I've wondered this... but I think the bookies always hold the advantage on info, technology or not....

the stats/trends/injury reports aren't that important..... compared to the info that a real "insider" would have... like say Ben Roethlisberger's doctor, or brother..

I like to read the newspapers from various cities to find inside stuff from beat reporters... but I doubt that even if beat reporters who had locker room/practice ect access even have a better then 1% chance of profitting at sports wagering....

when it comes down to it, there is very little in past human performances that predicts future human performances at a rate that wins you money in gambling...

[Sinister Cat]

I'd say no.. generally, the additional info is either noise or priced in.

[durito]

the market is far sharper today

[SlickFazzer]

How about this....use yourself as an example.

You are betting on the date Jan 9, 1994 (15 years ago)

Lets say you didn't have Internet, just sportscenter, the USA today, and the phone number of your local bookie.

Would you be more successful today betting on sports with the INternet etc....or in 1994 pre - Internet?

[roasthawg]

I would get destroyed without the internet.

[Sinister Cat]

I'd say roughly equally successful, but more enjoyable now.