Using Forums, Sports Services, and Public Handicappers
It would be difficult to estimate the number of people who do their own handicapping when it comes to sports betting, but I would say the number is likely well below 50-percent. Most sports gamblers prefer to get their picks from sports betting forums, sports services, and public handicappers. There's absolutely nothing wrong with that, but for many sports bettors, it's a losing proposition.
A sports bettor can actively partake in a sports gambling forum that is filled with many solid handicappers, and still end up losing money over the course of a season. The primary reason for this, other than poor money management, is the need for many sports bettors to hop on board with the "hot handicapper," which usually coincides with an upcoming losing streak.
As I write this, I'm in the midst of a 24-14 run, but am pretty sure there are at least several people who have lost money while following my selections. That's because that record began with a 10-3 run, only to be followed by a 2-8 stretch, and finished up with a 12-3 streak. What likely happened is that several people suddenly found out I was "hot" after going 10-3 and then decided to follow my plays, which then went 2-8. At that time they decided I absolutely stunk, and stopped following them, or worse yet, decided to bet against them, and either missed out on a nice run or took it in the shorts by going the other way.
What sports bettors need to realize is that no handicapper is going to win 70-percent of their plays, regardless of what the sports services say, and a person on an incredible hot streak is bound to see it come to an end eventually, not because they're due to lose, but rather because of the law of averages. Likewise, a handicapper on an incredible losing streak is bound to see a few winners fall their way.
What usually happens is that a bettor will see a particular sports service or forum poster who has won 10 of their last 12 games and decide to follow the "hot" handicapper, only to see the winning run come to an end or to see the "cold" handicapper and bet against them, only to see them heat up a bit.
A typical sports bettor would actually show improvement by following the cold handicapper, especially if that handicapper has shown to be successful in the past.
The smartest thing a sports bettor who relies on others' picks can do is to find a successful handicapper with a proven track record and follow them only. Sure, there will be some ups and downs, but over the long run, it will be more profitable than jumping on board with the latest hot handicapper.
