Five Common Sports Handicapping Mistakes

There are some common handicapping mistakes that sports bettors tend to make when deciding on which team they’re going to wager. In some ways, sports betting is simple in that it is about basics. Sometimes even the best, most skilled bettor can forget about some of those basics, over complicating the issue. Here are five common mistakes that gamblers make when it comes to handicapping.

Thinking Only Offense Wins Games

Offense puts points on the board but defense keeps points off the board and can, in some sports, generate points. Too often in their handicapping sports bettors forget that in baseball strong pitching can shutdown big bats, in hockey great goal tending can neutralize excellent shooting and in football a fine defensive line can negate a topnotch runner. Don’t forget the defense.

Using Too Many Stats

Yes, statistics are important but if you pay too much attention to the wealth of stats available you may lose sight of the game itself. Use stats by all means but you also have to evaluate matchups, possible game plans and more.

Focusing on a Team’s Most Recent Performance

Just because a lowly team took it to a powerhouse last time that doesn’t mean they’ll do the same this time. That group of guys that just beat the best club in their division could be hammered by the second-best team in their next game.

Not Considering Coaching or Managing

Coaching is extremely important in any sport and it needs to be considered when two teams go up against one another. Sometimes the coach or manager is what separates two teams where the talent is evenly matched.

Forgetting which is the Best Team

It’s very easy to play hunches, focus on one individual or consider how great an upset would be. When handicapping a game, you must give the better team due consideration. If a team is far and above better than another it does not guarantee them a win, but it does put them at an advantage.

In the Final Analysis

When you’re handicapping any game, it really comes down to keeping your perspective in terms of what you should expect to happen. You can’t make things occur in a game, you can only do your best to weight the evidence and predict the outcome. That’s the simplicity of sports handicapping.