What Is Contrarian Betting? Contrarian betting is a disciplined wagering approach that involves betting against the public, rather than following the most popular side or total. At its core, the strategy is rooted in how sportsbooks actually operate. Oddsmakers do not post lines as predictions of the final score. Instead, lines are designed to attract balanced action on both sides. To achieve that balance, sportsbooks routinely shade lines toward public biases—most notably favorites and overs. Betting percentages, particularly the percentage of tickets, reveal where the public is leaning. Contrarian bettors look for opportunities where the market has been skewed by that bias and value emerges on the less popular side. How to Calculate Contrarian Betting Contrarian betting is most effective when it is calculated correctly. A few principles are essential: Percentage of Bets Over Percentage of Money The most useful data point is percentage of bets, not percentage of...

If you’re a sports bettor—whether you're just starting out or have been in the game for years—understanding the nuances of betting lines can feel like deciphering a foreign language. When I first entered the world of sports betting, I quickly learned that the lines set by oddsmakers are not just numbers on a screen; they are messages waiting to be decoded. Here's a journey through some key insights that have shaped my betting strategies and could enhance yours too. The Dutchman’s Wisdom: Linesmakers Are Telling You Something One of the first lessons I learned was from a seasoned bettor referred to as “The Dutchman.” He often said, “Linesmakers are telling you something.” This phrase stuck with me because it highlights an essential truth: oddsmakers aren’t merely setting lines based on team statistics or public opinion; they’re crafting them to predict and influence betting behavior. The Trap of the Underdog A classic example is when a seemingly inferior team is...

Subscribe to the SportsCapping.com Podcast on iTunes or SoundCloud. Week 12 NFL & Week 13 College Football Free Picks  Your weekly SportsCapping football podcast with free picks from experts handicappers is back in action. Jack Jones and Brandon Lee break down Week 12 NFL and Week 13 college football and give out a free winner in both, plus a bonus NFL teaser.  You definitely don't want to miss out on these free winners. Jack and Brandon have combined to go 46-22-2 this season and are now 132-76-8 (63%) over the last 39 football free pick podcasts.  Listen for Free Expert Betting Advice From Top Rated Handicappers New SportsCapping.com Podcast episodes will be available throughout the year with more free picks, odds, predictions, and analysis from the best cappers in the...

Subscribe to the SportsCapping.com Podcast on iTunes or SoundCloud. For this week's episode, Jack Jones, Brandon Lee and Teddy Davis will be discussing some of their favorite bets for the NCAA Tournament. Each expert will be giving out a free pick for the first round, as well as their favorite future bets to win it all. New SportsCapping.com Podcast episodes will be available throughout the year with more free picks, odds, predictions, and analysis from the best cappers in the business!

Subscribe to the SportsCapping.com Podcast on iTunes or SoundCloud. For this week's episode, Jack Jones and Brandon Lee will be discussing the NBA and college basketball future odds. Each expert gives out their favorite Eastern Conference and Western Conference bets in the NBA, as well as their favorite overall and a sleeper pick to win the 2016 NCAA Tournament.  New SportsCapping.com Podcast episodes will be available throughout the year with more free picks, odds, predictions, and analysis from the best cappers in the...

It's nearly impossible to pick a perfect bracket for the Men's NCAA Basketball Tournament.  But, there are ways you can improve your chances of picking the best possible bracket.   We looked deep into the history of March Madness to find our 15 top tips for picking a winning bracket.  All records referenced are from the modern era - after 1985 - unless otherwise noted. Tip 1: Pick #1 & #2 Seeds to Win in the First Round This is pretty standard.  No top seed has ever lost to a #16 seed and just 7 of 120 (5.8%) #15 seeds have pulled off an upset over a #2 seed. Tip 2: Take One #13 or #14 Seed to Advance to the Second Round These seeds have a combined winning percentage of 17.92% in the first round.  That's just over one per year and it has happened at least once in 25 of the last 30 tournaments. Tip 3: In the First Round, 12 is a Magic Number Last year three of the four #12 seeds upset their 5th-seeded opponents!  While not typical, at least one #12 seed has defeated...