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Bet Trends: Your Guide to Smart Sports Handicapping

July 10, 2024 by Jeff Donchess

When it comes to sports handicapping, understanding and analyzing trends is crucial for making informed decisions. Whether you're a seasoned handicapper or a novice looking to improve your strategy, examining recent performance can provide valuable insights. In this post, we'll explore three key aspects: the record for the team in the last 10 games, units won/lost in the last 10 games, and overall winning streaks for money lines, spreads, and over/unders.

Bet Trends highlighted in the MIN/CHI and CLE/DET game. Both trend toward the over.

At GamedayMath, we highlight three trends that may have value for a handicapper looking for valuable bets.

1. Team Record in the Last 10 Games

The recent performance of a team can be a strong indicator of their current form and potential future success. By looking at a team's record in the last 10 games, you can gauge how well they're playing compared to earlier in the season. This can help you identify hot streaks or slumps that might influence your betting decisions.

  • Hot Teams: A team with a strong record in their last 10 games may have found a winning formula or could be benefiting from key players hitting peak form. Betting on such teams can be a safer option.
  • Cold Teams: Conversely, a team with a poor record might be struggling with injuries, internal issues, or tough schedules. Betting against these teams can often yield good returns.

2. Units Won/Lost in the Last 10 Games

Beyond just wins and losses, it's essential to consider the units won or lost in the last ten games. This metric provides a clearer picture of a team's profitability for bettors as it shows their value compared to the bookie's expectation.

  • Units Won: If a team has won several units over their last 10 games, it indicates they're outperforming expectations and providing good value for money. This can make them an attractive option for bettors.
  • Units Lost: On the flip side, if a team has lost units, it means they've likely been underperforming and costing bettors money. This is a red flag that you should take into account.

3. Overall Winning Streaks

Winning streaks are another critical factor in betting trends. Whether it's straight-up wins, covering the spread, or hitting the over/under, streaks can signal a team's momentum and confidence. On the flip side, streaks can also cause some prices to be inflated, and thus, there may be value on the opposite side of the bet. This is simply a statistic that can be useful for a handicapper.

Putting It All Together

When analyzing bet trends, it's important to consider all these factors in conjunction. A holistic view will provide you with a better understanding of a team's current status and potential future performance.

By keeping an eye on recent records, units won or lost, and overall winning streaks, you can make more informed decisions and potentially increase your chances of success in sports betting. Happy betting!


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