Why do guys think...

[BatemanPatrickl]

Because they played or play a certain sport, they are experts at capping said sport professionally?

I hear so much BS like "Well I played hockey so I know more about gambling on hockey..."

I played baseball for 15 years and am probably one of the worst MLB cappers on SBR.

Some people are so clueless it's actually sad.

[Willie Bee]

Some people are so clueless it's actually sad.

Hey, quit talking about me

If you're asking is it something that is universal, someone that plays a certain sport will ALWAYS know much if anything at all about handicapping it, then the answer is no. Just another of a bazillion things in life you can't throw a blanket over and have one black and white answer.

Won't mention the guy's name for a couple of reasons, but I got to know an NFL player who was one of the best. Not a Hall of Famer, but damn good, started for most of his 10-year career, was a 4th-round pick originally and set quite a few collegiate records when he was in the old SouthWest Conference. Anyway, by the time I met him through a mutual friend he was already out of the game. Never was interested really in talking about football.

But the guy knew horses backwards and forwards, no pun intended. I'm betting this guy couldn't do very well wagering on football at all, but I know he can tell you a lot about the ponies.

I suspect there are a lot of former pros who really don't pay much attention to their sport just like him when they're done playing, and concentrate on something else and are very knowledgeable about the subject. Might sound backwards, but that's the case.

[pavyracer]

I never played baseball in my life but I never lost money betting baseball. As long as you don't bet big chalk in baseball you can't lose money. Actually baseball may be one of the only sports that playing it will not help your capping. Too many parameters are involved like pitching by starters or bullpens, hitting but most importantly managing. Noone can predict what a manager will do in the later innings to help or screw his team.

I played basketball and soccer and I can understand match-ups and offensive and defensive schemes the opposing coaches use to cap over/unders but as far as who covers the spread is impossible to predict. The main tool you need in capping these games is knowing how motivated the teams you are backing are to win.

As far as football playing it or coaching it helps your capping. Perfect example was The Seer who as an ex-player and current coach would rarely miss a bowl game because he knows how to evaluate talent and not analyzing stats and math formulas or models which is most of the "douchebag sharps" do here thinking they can beat the line.

[jjgold]

Because they played or play a certain sport, they are experts at capping said sport professionally?

I hear so much BS like "Well I played hockey so I know more about gambling on hockey..."

I played baseball for 15 years and am probably one of the worst MLB cappers on SBR.

Some people are so clueless it's actually sad.

To win at sports betting is all math and to some extent watching a lot of the sport you bet without being a fan., has nothing to do with playing the sport.