Every sports bettor tries their best to have a 100% winning streak. Unfortunately, most bettors lose more bets than they would care to admit. However, some bettors enjoy impressive success. Such bettors are known as sharp bettors. However, there is more to a sharp bettor and sharp sports betting than meets the eye, not just success.
Sports betting sharps, known as sharp bettors, are players with a provably good and successful betting strategy. Their main quality is exceptional success in sports betting, meaning that most bets win. Besides being experienced, these bettors are also informed and experienced. It is worth noting that most of their wagers are usually long-term bets.
Sharp bettors don’t behave or operate like ordinary bettors. They also share certain characteristics, including the following:
Sharp bettors have strict rules and principles that dictate their betting habits. For example, they limit how much they can stake, which sports they can bet on, the types of wagers they can place, and more. Their discipline (combined with a reliable betting strategy) helps them build consistency and self-confidence.
Sharp bettors don’t make bets based on a whim. Instead, sharp bettors’ picks are usually thoroughly researched and reviewed. They evaluate all factors that can affect a game’s outcome, such as team formations and playing locations.
Losses shouldn’t be the end of the world if you want to bet like a sharp bettor. If it does, you can make irrational decisions, such as canceling good bets out of fear or placing more bad bets out of desperation. That is why sharp bettors are emotionally mature – they take their wins and losses in stride and understand that more opportunities (and risks) lie ahead.
A sharp sportsbook (preferably one with a sharp betting app) is always recommended when making and placing sharps betting picks. It is worth noting that no sportsbook markets itself as a sharp sportsbook. However, sharp sportsbooks stand out from ordinary ones, mostly offering the best of everything.
The following qualities and features define a sharp sports betting platform:
Margin in betting refers to the difference between a bet’s odds and the game’s true outcome probability. For example, suppose a game’s true probability of an outcome is 2.0. A bookie would offer lower odds of, say, 1.8, thereby making a profit on the 0.2 difference – this is how sportsbooks make money.
Most ordinary sportsbooks limit how much you can wager. The limits can be as low as $50 or $100. It is a big amount for an ordinary bettor, but it isn’t enough in sharp money betting. A low betting limit limits your potential winnings, inconveniencing sharp bettors. As such, sharp bookies usually have high betting limits, generally reaching thousands of dollars.
Some unscrupulous bookmakers usually charge exorbitant commission, service, and transaction fees when depositing or withdrawing your money. However, sharp bookmakers usually charge negligibly low fees – in fact, most don’t charge anything for their services or transactions.
A sharp in betting looks for every opportunity to win. Sharp sportsbooks endeavor to offer as many opportunities as possible by covering many sports categories. Each sports category can contain dozens or hundreds of betting markets, depending on the available games and bet types.
A sharp bookie can feature thousands of sports betting markets, with more popping up regularly as others expire. It is also worth noting that the markets are suited to the player demographics – for example, an American bookie offers more NFL sharp bets or NBA sharp bets than soccer bets because basketball and football are more popular among American bettors. Similarly, you can expect more MLB sharp bets from a Canadian bookie.
How much you win depends on your stake amount and bets’ odds. Lower odds mean smaller wins, while higher odds mean bigger wins. Sharp sportsbooks usually offer competitive odds slightly higher than the standard – they also offer odds boosts, further boosting your winnings.
For example, there are welcome bonuses for new players, deposit-match bonuses for players who fund their accounts, free bets, price boosts, loyalty programs, and other ongoing bonuses. These promotions also usually have simple unlocking and wagering requirements.
Few betting markets usually mean few betting opportunities. Sharp sports bettors typically offer thousands of betting markets across as many sports categories as possible, including uncommon sports such as snooker and futsal. They also usually process large volumes of bets because they have many users.
Sharp bettors usually offer generous bonuses and promotions. Their promotions also come in various types and typically have easy and reasonable requirements. Here is an overview of the three common bonuses available at most bet sharp bookmakers:
A matched deposit bonus is dependent on making a deposit. The bookie offers to match your deposit amount by a certain percentage, usually 100% or lower.
A risk-free bet guarantees you will get your stake back if your bet loses. These bet types are usually offered to new players and sharp money wagers. It is a convenient offer when making a high-stakes sharps bet.
Odds determine the amount you will win, as discussed. A price boost is a deliberate increase in a bet’s odds, which increases the amount you stand to win.
Sharp betting sites have many advantages. Here is an overview of three notable benefits of sharp betting:
As explained, sharp sportsbooks cover many sports categories and thousands of betting markets. You wouldn’t need to look at another bookie for more betting markets and bet types.
Higher odds mean larger winnings, as explained. Sharp sportsbooks offer not only competitive odds but also odds boosts, allowing you to win more money.
Sharp bettors usually stake a lot of money to win more. Sharp sportsbooks generally offer high betting limits to accommodate sharp betting money.
Comparing the sharpest sportsbooks entails evaluating everything they offer.
The top 5 sharpest sportsbooks available internationally include the following:
These bookies offer premium betting features but differ in certain aspects. For example, only PointsBet offers “Name-a-Bet,” an innovative feature that lets players recommend new betting types and markets. It is advisable to review each book to identify its unique offers, strengths, and weaknesses.
Beating the house in sports betting takes massive work. It leads most punters to ask if it’s even possible. While the answer is yes, becoming a sharp sports bettor requires patience, discipline, and a deep understanding of betting markets.
Let’s explore some tips you should keep in mind to give yourself a fighting chance against the house.
| Tips | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Prepare to Lose a Lot of Bets | There is no denying that sharps are the best handicapper in sports betting. However, they also lose many of their bets. Sharp bettors focus on long-term profitability rather than short-term results. So, you may find that they lose two of every five bets they place. Therefore, you must be prepared to lose a lot of bets in the long run. Sticking it out to become profitable in the long-term marks a successful sharp. Once you master your skill, you will win more than you lose. |
| Rely on Numbers | The biggest mistake most punters make is making decisions based on gut feelings or subjective opinions. It doesn’t happen with the sharps; they rely on numbers instead. Sharps spend hours analyzing statistical and historical data and developing betting models to predict outcomes and find value. With this, they usually notice and capitalize on sportsbooks’ mistakes with lines to their advantage. So, to be a successful sharp bettor, you must rely heavily on the numbers for your decisions. |
| Follow Sharp Action | Sharps are professionals who deeply understand the sports they bet on and find the best value possible. This results in them winning their wagers more often than not. Some sportsbooks would even amend their lines based on the sharps’ position. As such, following the sharp action is usually the right move when betting as a beginner. It increases your chances of winning and reduces losses, ensuring you make a profit in the long run. However, it’s essential to note that this also comes with some risk, as some syndicates may use setup to create a more favorable line. There is always a risk of falling on the wrong side of such situations. |
| Finding the Sharpest Odds | Finding the sharpest odds is as easy as finding the best sharp sportsbooks. It also involves reviewing each bookie’s odds and calculating the margins. Sportsbooks that offer price boosts are also recommendable. |
One indicator of sharps is their high success rate and the ability to profit against sportsbooks long-term. That is why most punters try to spot and follow their bets. But finding out what the sharps are betting on (sharp action) is no simple feat.
However, there are some things you can look out for in the action the sharps are engaging. Here are some of them:
It’s important to note that while these methods will give you a clue as to what action the sharps are taking, it is not foolproof. Plus, the sharps are not always right. So, it would be best if you practice responsible gaming always when you follow them.
The most notable advantages of sharp betting include the following:
| PROS | CONS |
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PROS
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CONS
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Sharp betting is worth it for one major reason: success. Success means more winnings and more money. BetZillion’s pathway to a winning bet explained in this guide will help you a lot. However, you must work by developing a good betting strategy, being self-disciplined, researching every game, and using sharp sportsbooks.
