Sports betting can be a profitable and enjoyable endeavor if you know what you are doing. Unfortunately, the average sports bettor does not.
If you are an inexperienced bettor or just starting out on this exciting journey, then professional assistance in the form of a handicapper service might just be the optimal solution to turn your losses into wins and pad your bankroll.
What is a Handicapper Service?
A handicapper service is a professional business or individual that sells sports betting picks. The “handicapper” will sell a recommended tout or pick for a customer to wager on. These handicapping services can charge fees per pick or for a period of time like daily, monthly or annually.
Often times, these picks come with recommendations for how many units to place on the bet. A unit is a way to measure the confidence in a pick.
Additionally, some seasoned sports bettors also use units as a means to divide up their bankroll per wager. This is done in order to prevent risking too much of your bankroll on a single wager. It will keep you responsible and remove emotions from betting; as there is no room for emotions in sports betting.
What Are The Benefits of a Handicapper Service?
While advocating for the usage of handicapping services, it’s important to note that you must use trusted, proven professionals. Like any industry, there are scams and fakes out there. So, make sure to only use reputable handicapper services that provide at least the following benefits and characteristics:
Expert Analysis
A true handicapper will spend countless hours per day, researching and examining the latest betting data and sports statistics for any recommended pick. This research and analysis will guide a handicapping service to make the most informed decisions possible.
Often times, new sports bettors, or individuals who lack self-control, are unable to make the most informed decisions because they bet based on emotion or a lack of understanding about various key factors involving the game, sport, or betting trends.
Detailed Reasons For Picks
A reputable handicapper service will provide detailed reasoning for their recommendations. These details can include anything from lengthy sports data to analysis of the latest betting trends regarding the tout or pick.
This detailed analysis will also help you learn how to better handicap games and sports. So, not only is there a potential to earn more winnings, but you can also learn how to become a smarter sports bettor over time. The former is great for the short term but the latter will pay off in numerous ways over the long haul.
Transparency and Accountability
A true and trusted professional handicapping service will also provide their track record for picks. This transparency separates the reputable handicappers from the fakes.
By looking over their previous picks, you can see their winning percentage along with any inconsistencies in their analysis. Furthermore, you can also learn which sports, games, teams or players that these handicappers have a solid grasp of.
Take Advantage of Early Lines
Unlike the average joe, handicappers can and will take advantage of early lines when the sportsbooks release their odds. This is often the time that most books miss the mark. Typically, professionals will jump on early value before the lines shift due to the public catching wind and following suit.
Longtime handicappers will have an ongoing system of analysis that keeps them ready to pounce on any early lines, which can be highly profitable.
Improved Winning Percentage
By using a handicapper service, you can easily improve your winning percentage from betting on their touts or picks. Most reputable professionals, have a winning percentage that falls between 55% and 60%.
Most newbies and inexperienced bettors have a winning percentage that falls well below 50%. To break even, bettors need to win at a rate that’s higher than 52.4%. This is based on the standard -110 vig that sportsbooks use.
It may seem minor, but a few percentage points higher and your profits will increase over time.
Potential For Increased Bankroll
As mentioned, due to professional handicapping services hitting their picks at a higher percentage than the average bettor, you have a real shot at increasing your bankroll.
A bankroll simply refers to your budget or sports betting account balance that you use for placing wagers. The more you win, the higher your bankroll increases and the more winnings you have to continue wagering or to spend on real-world items.
Trusted handicappers will focus on a consistent, slow-growing bankroll rather than taking crazy risks on longshots or parlays. This steady growth is overlooked by inexperienced bettors as they chase lottery tickets that feature bets with large odds and massive payouts. Professionals chase consistency.
Weather The Slumps
It’s inevitable that each and every bettor will experience a slump. It’s just the nature of the beast. However, a seasoned professional knows how to navigate these slumps better than the average joe.
Handicappers will not chase their losses or, to borrow a term from poker, go “full tilt.” Instead, they will remain disciplined and focus on the big picture. This controlled and measured approach will greatly help the average bettor’s chances of reducing emotional betting and reckless chasing.
An Investment Mindset
A professional bettor has an investment mindset where they manage their bankrolls in responsible, disciplined ways. This is the opposite of the common sports bettor who has a gambling mindset. Following a handicapper service will keep you grounded and looking for consistent returns over the large, mythical payday.
If You Can’t Beat Them, Join Them
For new sports bettors or those who lack the understanding of how to properly handicap, using a highly-reputable handicapper service can be a profitable venture. If you are serious about increasing your winnings, then you should consider a handicapper service.
A fully transparent, successful handicapper will demonstrate a higher-than-average winning rate along with detailed analysis behind the touts. Furthermore, they’re not afraid to put their reputation on the line. In fact, these professionals embrace this because they’re confident in their handicapping system.
In other words, these pro handicappers have skin in the game and aim to not only provide the best picks possible, but they often use these picks to pad their own bankrolls as well.
Additionally, trusted professional bettors will keep you grounded with their big-picture view and investment approach to managing bankrolls. This will reduce emotional betting, chasing losses, and following a gambling mindset.
So, if you can’t beat their winning percentage and proven betting strategies, then consider joining a trusted and transparent handicapper service.
About the Author
Rob “Knuckles” McPhail is a trusted expert in sports betting with over two decades of hands-on experience shaping the modern betting landscape.
Today, Rob shares his expert analysis, betting strategies, and educational content to help bettors become more disciplined and successful.
For more from Rob, visit www.knuckles.com
