Sports Betting Tips

Thoughts on Purchasing Picks from a Professional Handicapper

Everyone who bets on sports is always looking for hot tips and inside information--we are no different.  Depending on how long you've been in the world of sports betting, you may or may not be aware that there are many, many professionals and professional services that sell their sports picks. This is a hot topic in the online world, with forums and message boards dedicated to tracking their results in an effort to determine who's good, who's not good, and who's a scammer.

We All Have Our Strengths and Weaknesses

As is the case with everything in life, we are all different and are better at certain things than others. This is no different in the world of professional sports handicapping. Even the most established professionals have sports in which their performance is sub-par and will result in an overall loss of money. The key principle in selecting a professional to purchase picks from is the same principle you should follow when making your own bets: do your homework.

There are many web sites dedicated to tracking the results of professional handicappers, both reliable and unreliable. You can check them all out for yourself to make your own decisions, but personally I would recommend thesportsmonitor.com. Don't be turned off by the admittedly terrible website design--this site has been collecting data on professional handicappers for over 10 years and has sport by sport breakdowns, ranking the top performers from each season dating back to the late 90s. Use this site to determine your most reliable options for each individual sport.

Stick to the Plan

What are you waiting for? We are KILLING it with our NFL Five-Star Football picks in 2010. If you want to win some money, do yourself a favor and check this out. Won't cost you hundreds or thousands of dollars like all the other "experts", and we win more than they do. Strike while the iron is hot, people.

So you've done your homework and have identified a professional handicapper to purchase picks from. Now you must make a commitment to follow this handicappers advice to the letter. If you're purchasing picks, chances are your own handicapping skills are average at best, so it would make sense to ONLY bet the games that your professional has released. Don't cancel out the potential profit this professional will generate for you by browsing your sport book, making your own bets and losing. It's also extremely important to manage your bankroll carefully and stick to a standard betting amount. Remember, long-term profits are what these guys are all about. Anyone can have a hot streak, but the true "wiseguys" are the ones who win in the long run. Don't panic if your professional is struggling--if you've done your homework and have selected a handicapper who excels in a certain sport, then trust him to break out of his slump eventually.

So, Is It Worth It?

If you've been checking out some of the other articles on this site, you're familiar with the common theme of doing research before making any decisions that involve your money. I don't have a strong opinion one way or another on purchasing picks from a professional handicapper. There are some that will win you money, others that won't. Just remember: nobody is perfect. My tips? Don't buy into fancy marketing schemes and outlandish claims of win-loss records. If you do your homework, pick a reputable handicapper and stick to the system, you could win some money in the end.

Check out more of our sports betting tips articles to become a smarter sports better. Knowledge is power, folks.  Best of luck, and please gamble responsibly!

--ajec

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