The point spread's sole purpose is to even the betting to ensure that the total amount bet on the underdog is equal to the total amount bet on the favorite. The book makes its money on the vigorish or juice. Therefore, if the amount bet on the underdog matches the total amount bet on the underdog, the book is guaranteed a 10% profit on half the bets made, regardless which team covers.

The very best linesmakers are many who have a feel for exactly what the betting public believes. The betting line they set reflects the betting public's perception of the strength of the 2 teams. It won't necessarily reflect the true relative strengths of the 2 teams. And also the sportsbook betting public's perception is often wrong.

Once you recognize that concept, anything else shall begin to fall into place. You may have an edge over most bettors.

Be objective. Listen to you head not your heart. Do not bet against the Cowboys just because you want to see them lose. And, do not bet on a team simply because you like the team. And don't bet on your favorite team in case you are an avid fan. It's extremely hard to be objective. Fans usually be overly optimistic about their favorite team or overly pessimistic if things are not going well.

Be consistent. Bet the same amount on each game. Some players bet $200 on games they think are locks and $100 on ones they are not so sure of. It's those not so sure of bets that rack up the losses. When you are uncertain about a game, don't bet it.

Should you bet on the home team? Generally no. Alternatively, if you're able to be objective, you've got an advantage. You probably know more about your home team than those in other parts of the country since the local media gives extensive coverage to the home team, coverage that is not shared with the rest of the country.

Look for Trends. If you spot a trend, factor that into your decision. Some teams have other teams' number. Within the last 4 years the 49ers have covered against the Rams 7 of 8 times and the one time they didn't, Young was hurt and they had to play Druckmiller, a rookie. Within the last five years, Green Bay has lost 4 out the 5 games played in Detroit.

Trends are not guarantees. The trend might not hold and you lose your bet. Yet, remember the aim is to improve your probability of winning. Based upon past performance, if you bet on the 49ers to cover against the Rams, you're more prone to win your bet than to lose.

Place your bets late in the week. By waiting until the end of the week, you will know about any injuries to key players which may affect how you bet. Many times, players are injured or aggravate an injury in practice. Or what seemed like a minor injury on Tuesday may turn out to be one that will keep the player out of the game. Furthermore, weather conditions might affect your bet. Inclement weather often keeps the scoring down.

Limit the Number of Games You Bet. More is just not better. The optimum number appears to be 3 to six games. Anymore as well as the winning percentages often decline since the law of averages is needed. (The more games you play the greater likely you are to have 50% winners and 50% losers. And that's a losing season, as a result of the juice.) In addition, it's simpler to concentrate on a limited number of games.

Losing Streaks Happen. No matter what, you can count on a losing streak. It happens to handicappers, professional gamblers, casual bettors, quality online football (read on) and even books. Be well prepared to ride it out. If you are using Pro Predictor or a handicapping service, you must stick with it through the season as a way to come out a winner. Leaving at the first sign of a losing streak will guarantee you lose for the season. Suppose you drop out only to have the handicapper go 5 for 5 the next week. Those are 5 wins you are going to never have and will affect your overall winning percentage.

Never Bet Against a Streak. This really is a key to increasing your winning and decreasing your losses. Consider this a betting mantra. Say it over and over until it's firmly embedded within your mind. Never bet against a streak. And, for anybody who is going to bet on streaks, bet the streak will continue. And it doesn't matter whether or not the streak is a winning streak or perhaps a losing streak. Ironically, logic will tell you that the odds of a streak continuing double with each additional week and you should bet against it. But there's a hidden trap.

Think about the following scenario: In week 10, you notice that Green Bay has covered for 4 weeks in a row. Should you bet that the streak will end? Simply, per week the odds against the streak continuing double.

Betting Against the Streak: You bet $100 against Green Bay covering in week 11. Sure enough, they fail to cover. You are $100 ahead. But what happens should they do cover and the streak continues. You're $110 in the hole. What do you need to do? Do you bet another $100 against the streak in week 12 since the odds against the streak continuing are even greater? In the event that you do, and also the streak ends, you win $100 and now are just $10 loser and that's the end of that. Still, should the streak continues, you're now $220 within the hole. What do you need to do now? Do you bite the bullet and take your losses or do you fall into the trap of chasing your loses? Do you continue and attempt to get back several of your losses? Do you double up within an try to cover your loses? Don't do it. Doubling up is never a great idea. It is another trap that can cause you to have huge losses and it isn't worth the gamble.

Betting with the Streak: You bet $100 that Green Bay will cover again in week 11. Whenever they fail to cover, you have lost $110 and that is that, much like a regular straight bet. But what happens whenever they do cover and the streak continues. You are $100 to the good and if you continue to bet on the streak, the most you may lose is $10. If you bet another $100 with the streak in week 12 as well as the streak ends, your net losses are $10. However, in the event the streak continues, you're guaranteed to come out at least $90 ahead and with each addition week the streak continues, you add another $100 to your winnings.

So, if you bet against a streak, the most you may win is $100 but you the amount you may lose is limited only through the length of the streak. If you bet with the streak, the most you may lose is $110, but the amount you can win is limited only through the length of the streak.