Trevor Jones is an expert in iGaming with a passion for writing US sports, such as football and basketball, in particular. He is extremely knowledgeable about US gambling regulations and has previously contributed articles to Augusta Free Press, Tech Report, Basketball Insiders and Legal Sportsbooks. He is an avid sports and betting enthusiast and a huge fan of the Golden State Warriors, though follows all of the major sports leagues.
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Neil is a gambling industry veteran with over 15 years experience as a content writer, editor and speaker at events. He has a Masters degree in English Literature and Philosophy and has combined this analytical inquisitiveness with a passion for sports betting and casino gaming. Neil started his career with Bettingpro.com and helped build not only that site but various others such as LiveTennis.com, LiveDarts.com and numerous other sports informational sites, including GG.co.uk and RacingTips.com He then made the transition to the North American market, working both in the UK and in New Jersey to launch various sports betting and casino sites, including AmericanBettingExperts and NewAmericanCasinos. Working with regulators, Neil has helped to review sports betting sites and also test the regulated betting apps in a professional capacity. He now works almost exclusively in the US market and is one of the main reviewers and fact checkers on SportsLens gambling content. He also speaks at various gambling conferences including ICE, iGB Live and SBC Americas and has contributed to GamblingInsider, EGR Magazine and a number of others in a consulting capacity.
All posts by Neil RoartyIn the context of sports betting, a “sharp” refers to an individual or bettor who is considered highly knowledgeable and skilled in analyzing sports matchups and predicting outcomes. Sharps are often characterized by their ability to identify value in betting lines, spotting discrepancies between their own assessments and the odds set by bookmakers. They tend to make informed, well-researched bets based on statistical analysis, historical trends, and other relevant factors, aiming to exploit any perceived discrepancies in order to achieve consistent profitability over the long term. If you want a more detailed answer to the question of what is a sharp in betting, then read on.
What Makes a Bet Sharp?
A bet is considered “sharp” when it’s placed by a knowledgeable and skilled sharp bettor who has thoroughly researched the relevant sports matchup and identified a perceived advantage or value in the betting line offered by bookmakers. Several factors contribute to making a bet sharp:
Extensive Research: A sharp bettor will invest time and effort in studying teams, players, historical data, statistics, injury reports, weather conditions, and other pertinent information related to the game. They gather a comprehensive understanding of the matchup before placing a bet.
Line Shopping: A sharp bettor compares the odds offered by multiple sportsbooks to identify discrepancies or favorable lines. Finding a better line with improved odds can increase the potential profitability of a bet.
Understanding of Odds: Sharps have a strong grasp of how odds work and are capable of interpreting implied probabilities. They can identify when the bookmakers’ odds may not accurately reflect the true likelihood of an outcome.
Focus on Value: Sharps look for bets where they perceive the odds to be undervalued or overvalued by the sportsbook. They bet when they believe there’s a significant discrepancy between the odds and the actual probability of an outcome.
Data-Driven Approach: Instead of relying on emotions, gut feelings, or public sentiment, sharps base their bets on data, trends, and statistical analysis to make more informed predictions.
Fade Public Consensus: Sharp bettors often go against the public consensus, especially when there’s a significant amount of public money on one side. This approach allows them to take advantage of opportunities created by imbalances in betting action.
How to Find Out what Sharps are Betting on
Finding out what sharps are betting on can be challenging, as sharp bettors often keep their strategies and picks closely guarded to maintain their competitive edge. However, there are a few methods and resources that can provide insights into the betting activities of sharps:
Line Movement Analysis: Monitoring how betting lines change over time can provide indications of sharp betting activity. If a line shifts quickly or significantly, it could be due to sharp bettors placing bets on a particular side.
Betting Percentages: Some sportsbooks and betting platforms provide information on the percentage of bets and the percentage of money placed on each side of a game. If a large percentage of money is on one side, but the line moves in the opposite direction, it may suggest sharp money action.
Steam Moves: A steam move refers to a sudden and substantial shift in odds across multiple sportsbooks. These movements are often driven by a sharp bettor or professional bettors placing big bets and can be an indicator of where sharps are betting.
Sports Betting Forums and Communities: While not always reliable, some online betting forums and communities may have discussions about sharp betting picks or trends. Keep in mind that these sources can also include noise and misinformation.
Professional Bettor Insights: Some professional bettors or handicappers share their insights and picks through websites, podcasts, social media, or paid subscription services. These sources can give you a glimpse into what sharps are considering.
What to do With Sharp Money Information
Using sharp information in your sports betting strategy can potentially enhance your chances of making informed and value-driven bets. So, here’s how you can incorporate sharp information effectively:
Validate and Cross-Reference: Before acting on any sharp information, validate it by checking multiple sources and analyzing line movements. Cross-referencing information helps ensure that you’re making decisions based on reliable insights.
Educate Yourself: Take the time to understand the reasoning behind the sharp picks. This knowledge can help you make more informed decisions and also improve your overall understanding of sports betting.
Integrate with Your Strategy: Incorporate sharp money information into your existing sports betting strategy. Consider how the sharp insights align with your research and analysis to identify potential value bets.
Manage Bankroll: Whether you’re tailing sharp picks or using them to inform your own bets, practice responsible bankroll management. Avoid wagering more than you’re comfortable losing on any single bet, and maintain a long-term perspective on your profitability. Most of the best offshore betting sites offer provisions to limit your self from spending too much via their gambling controls, you can also use the Responsible Gambling resources to keep your wagering in check.
Use as a Supplement: View sharp information as a supplement to your own research and analysis. Don’t solely rely on the opinions of others; use sharp insights to complement your own informed decisions.
How do Sharp Bettors Operate?
A Sharp bettor operates with a meticulous and analytical approach, extensively researching sports matchups, statistics, and trends to identify value in betting lines. They utilize data-driven models, using NBA statistics for example, to inform their selections, practice disciplined bankroll management, and actively seek out favorable odds by comparing multiple sportsbooks.
Maintaining a contrarian stance against public sentiment, they prioritize long-term profitability over short-term wins, and their selective, well-informed bets are characterized by a deep understanding of the intricacies of sports betting markets.
What is a Square Bettor?
A “square” bettor, often referred to as a “public” bettor, is an individual who approaches sports betting with less sophistication and tends to make bets based on emotions, popular sentiment, or personal biases rather than in-depth analysis or research. Square bettors often favor well-known teams, popular matchups, and high-profile events, which can lead them to overvalue favorites and overlook underdogs.
They might also be influenced by media coverage, recent team performance, and general public opinion. Unlike sharp bettors who focus on long-term profitability and identifying value, square bettors are more likely to make impulsive bets and might not employ disciplined bankroll management strategies.
FAQs
Let’s take a look at a few frequently asked questions about what a sharp is in betting.
What does sharp money mean in betting?
Does sharp betting work?
Should I bet with sharp bettors?
How often do sharp bettors win?
