Handicapping Myths 1.1 – Playing Favorites

September 9th, 2013

The business of betting on sports is a tricky one, just when you think you have it all figured out, you realize that you have so much more to learn. As a professional gambler by trade, I have been involved in serious sports betting since I was a kid. At the age of 37, I’m still learning, constantly looking for a new angle, or a trend that has yet to be exploited. I believe this is absolutely necessary to be successful, because the industry is constantly changing, and what works today, may not work tomorrow. If you stop learning, you will eventually fall behind, becoming obsolete, just like anything else in this life.

Myth #1: Sharps Don’t Play Favorites.

Perhaps the most common of all handicapping myths, is that it’s somehow considered sharp to play dogs, to take the points, to go with a long shot. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see the flaw to this logic, underdogs lose more often than they win. That’s not to say that you shouldn’t occasionally play underdogs, but by playing them exclusively, you are setting yourself up for a world of hurt.

I play underdogs when I feel that their chances of winning are greater than the odds the casino is offering. Likewise, I play favorites when I see value, and I do so without limitations. Some players will set themselves a limit, such as “never play favorites of more than -$150″… not this guy!

This business is hard enough, the last thing you want to do is make it even harder by limiting yourself, and passing up on potential “easy” winners just because you don’t want to pay the price. There is no such thing as “too expensive”, or “too many points”.

Now of course by playing favorites, you have to hit a higher percentage to turn a profit, so before you start laying the chalk you have to take that into consideration. Anyone who has followed me over the years will know that I do not hesitate to play favorites, and when you look at my overall records, I have nothing to apologize for.

The bottom line is, playing favorites isn’t just for squares, despite what you may have heard. Successful gamblers will bet on any game, any event, any situation when they have odds in their favor.

If you have any questions, comments or anything to add to the subject, feel free to give me a shout on Facebook.

Good Luck,

Jesse Schule

Check out the Iceman's Premium Picks

Jesse Schule

HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF... +$2,017 March 2019 (74-51 Overall) +$10,368 March 2018 (85-53 Overall) +$6,007 March 2017 (63-49 Overall) +$17,533 March 2016 (72-40 Overall)

Premium Packages

Schule's NCAAF ACC EXECUTIONER - [email protected]

PULVERIZING THE PIGSKIN!

The Iceman cashed his NCAAF Game of the Year on the Oregon Ducks winning outright in Washington in 2019. This GRIDIRON GURU is a BIG GAME SPECIALIST, as evidenced by going a PERFECT 5-0 in SB LII. Don't be fooled by the fact that he was #1 Overall with NFL in 2018, college is still his specialty!

Schule's NCAAF ACC EXECUTIONER - [email protected]

Match Up	Pick	Rating	Score	Result	Profit	Analysis
Heat vs Celtics	UNDER 209½ -108	Premium	106-101	Win	100	Show
This is an 8* play on the Under. Here is what I said prior to Game 1: "You know the story.. defense wins championships. The Celtics certainly have been playing some defense, allowing the fewest points per game (100) of any team in this year's playoffs. The Heat are right behind them, allowing 103 points per game (2nd) so far this post-season. These teams have a history of battling hard against each other, and seven of the last 10 head to head meetings have gone under the total. The Heat have failed to reach the total in seven of their last 10 overall, while Boston has gone under in eight of it's last nine overall. Expect no easy buckets in Game 1." A late collapse by the Celtics allowed the Heat to force OT, and the total went well over. I expect a tighter defensive game here in Game 2. Take Under. GL, Jesse Schule
Cardinals vs Pirates	Cardinals -158	Premium	1-5	Loss	-158	Show
This is an 8* play on the Cardinals. With a win today in Pittsburgh, the Cardinals can get back to .500 on the season. The starting pitching matchup certainly favors St. Louis. Dakota Hudson will toe the slab for the Cardinals, and he's been on a good run. The right-hander has appeared in four straight wins, allowing two runs or fewer in four of his last five starts. Pittsburgh will hand the ball to Steven Brault, who has trended in the opposite direction. Four of his last five appearances have been losses for the Pirates, and he's allowed three or more runs in three of his last four starts. The Pirates have hit a combined .199 over 63 at bats in previous meetings versus Hudson. Take STL. GL, Jesse Schule
Bengals vs Browns	Browns -6 -102	Premium	30-35	Loss	-102	Show
This is an 8* play on the Browns. Those of you who have followed my predicitions in the past are likely familiar with the saying "History Repeats Itself". We saw evidence of that being the case in Week 1, when the Browns lost by 30+ points on the road at Baltimore. They had lost in Week 1 last year by 30 points at home versus Tennessee. They came back the next week and beat the Jets by a score of 23-3, and I am expecting a similar bounce back here at home against the Bengals. Joe Burrow showed some promise in a Week 1 loss to LA, but he also showed that he's still a rookie. He threw for 193 yards and a pick on 23-of-36 passing. Joe Mixon ran for a rather pedestrian 69 yards on 19 carries. That isn't going to cut it on the road in Cleveland, against a team with significantly more offensive weapons than the Chargers team they faced just four days ago. Take CLE. GL, Jesse Schule

Handicapping Myths 1.1 – Playing Favorites

Check out the Iceman's Premium Picks

Jesse Schule

Premium Packages

PREMIUM PICK STREAKS

Short-Term Subscription Options

Long-Term Subscription Options

YESTERDAY'S PLAYS

SERVICE BIO

Top Cappers L7 Days

FireFan

Recent Articles