Pros and Cons of Computer Handicapping
There are countless companies that sell computer programs for sports bettors. As with nearly everything in life, some are quite good, while others leave a bit to be desired.
Computer handicapping has been around for a number of years, as I can remember using my old Commodore 64 with its tape drive to try and figure out a way to beat the sportsbooks.
Thankfully, today's computers are a bit more powerful and can do things that would have caused my old Commodore to overload, but the desired result is still the same, and that's to use the computer to help pick winners.
There are some definite advantages to using a computer for your selections, but there are some drawbacks, as well. We'll look at both of those.
Advantages of Computer Handicapping
One of the best aspects of using computers for handicapping purposes is that it takes the guesswork out of making your selections. Enter the required data and the computer tells you who to bet on.
There's no more hemming and hawing before placing a wager or having second thoughts if Team A really is a good bet. It's all clear cut and laid out right in front of you.
Another key factor in using sports handicapping software is that your computer can do calculations faster and more accurately than you can. When you're spending three hours with your calculator and a notebook trying to add together a multitude of numbers, mistakes are going to happen. You certainly don't want your money lost on the basis of a subtraction error.
The most valuable aspect of using computer programs to come up with your selections is that depending on your handicapping ability and the program you are using, the computer may be able to pick games with a higher accuracy than you can.
Disadvantages of Computer Handicapping
There are several key disadvantages to using handicapping software, such as the computer's ability to take weather, injuries and the human factor into equation. Of these, the human factor is probably the most important.
One of the best college football and basketball handicappers I know uses his computer to develop and maintain his power ratings for college sports. But after getting his ratings, his first step is to adjust his line based on scheduling factors, such as revenge, letdown or look-ahead situations; injuries; and coaching tendencies. These adjustments can be as much as 17 points in football and 10 points in basketball.
While those adjustments may seem extreme, I'm not about to argue with anybody who has maintained a 56-percent winning percentage over a three-year period, so obviously it works for him. But if he relied strictly on his computer, he wouldn't have near the same record.
Weather is another factor the computer can't factor in, which can be crucial in late-season football games. A running team can have a definite advantage over a passing team in a game played in extremely poor conditions.
Injuries are another factor that can alter the way a game is played, but the computer is unable to facor in.
Specific Sports
Handicapping software should work better in certain sports than others. Baseball and the NBA are, at least in theory, two sports where computer bettors should be able to have an edge. The sheer volume of statistics that the computer can decipher quickly, is the primary reason why.
The NFL is another sport where computer handicappers can get an advantage, followed by the college sports for reasons mentioned above.
Summary
Handicapping software can be a big boost to any sports bettor's arsenal, but used blindly can lead to trouble. The bettor should at least add in some of the factors mentioned earlier, especially when using the computer for college sports.
Handicapping programs can be a great first step when it comes to handicapping games, as the time you'll save in having the computer doing the calculations can be better spent looking for trends, shopping for lines, checking for injuries, etc.
The computer is here to stay in sports handicapping and you want to make sure you don't get left behind.
