Sharp bettors are those who are able to consistently keep their win ratio around or above the 55% margin, which means they win more than half of the punts they place.
Sharp bettors follow a rather specific, system-like approach when punting. Unlike many online wagerers, they don’t place bets one after another or day after day. Instead, they take a more sophisticated approach and take time placing each bet.
Sharp bettors have strict rules and principles that dictate their betting habits. For example, they limit how much they can stake, which sports they can stake on, the types of wagers they can place, and more. Their discipline (combined with a reliable betting strategy) helps them build consistency and self-confidence.
Sharp bettors don’t make bets based on a whim. Instead, their picks are usually thoroughly researched and reviewed. They spend hours trying to find advantages that even bookmakers might have missed.
For instance, when betting on a basketball game, they follow the personal lives of players, injuries, roster updates ahead of the match, or even off-court details that might affect a certain player’s performance.
One of the biggest mistakes you can make when sports betting is chasing after your losses. Sharp bettors have the kind of emotional maturity to take a break and only place the next wager when all the information indicates it will be a winning one. They’re in it for the long run, and not just making temporary profit.
A sharp sportsbook (preferably one with a sharp betting app) is always recommended when making and placing sharp betting picks. No operator markets itself as a sharp sportsbook. However, sharp bookmakers stand out from ordinary ones by offering a little bit of something for everyone.
The following qualities and features define a sharp sports betting platform:
Margin in betting refers to the difference between a bet’s odds and the game’s true outcome probability. For example, suppose a game’s true probability of an outcome is 2.0. A bookie would offer lower odds of, say, 1.8, thereby making a profit on the 0.2 difference – this is how sportsbooks make money.
Most ordinary sportsbooks limit how much you can wager. The limits can be as low as $50 or $100. It is a big amount for an ordinary bettor, but it isn’t enough in sharp money betting. A low betting limit limits your potential winnings, inconveniencing sharp bettors. As such, sharp bookies usually have high betting limits, generally reaching thousands of dollars.
Margin in betting refers to the difference between the odds and the game’s true outcome probability. For example, suppose a game’s true probability of an outcome is 2.0. A bookie would offer lower odds of, say, 1.8, thereby making a profit on the 0.2 difference – this is how sportsbooks make money.
You can lose a considerable amount when betting sharp money at a sportsbook with a high margin. Sharp bookies rely on high-volume bets for making money, which is why they reel in bettors with more convenient and often lower margins.
Most ordinary sportsbooks limit how much you can wager. The limits can be as low as $50 or $100, or go up to thousands of dollars. Sharp bookies are closer to the other end of the spectrum, as they usually have high-roller-friendly limits that are especially beneficial for sharp bettors looking to make more money with a higher stake amount.
Some unscrupulous bookmakers usually charge exorbitant commission, service, and transaction fees when depositing or withdrawing your money. However, sharp bookmakers usually charge low fees; in fact, most don’t charge anything for their services or transactions.
A sharp punter looks for every opportunity to win. That’s why true sharp bookmakers offer hundreds of markets on popular sports, as well as dozens of options on niche sports. Sometimes, it also depends on the demographics, as an American bookie is more likely to take MLB sharp bets or provide a greater variety of NFL and NBA markets.
How much you win depends on your stake amount and bets’ odds. Lower odds mean smaller wins; higher odds mean bigger wins. Sharp bettors look for even the tiniest difference in the odds, as even such differences could lead to great win discrepancies. For instance, a sharp punter is more likely to bet on the odds of 1.53 than 1.51, and that difference is especially visible with high-roller bets.
Sharp bookies also feature a wide range of bonuses for users, going from deposit match and free bets to no-deposit and reload promos. Another common trait of a sharp bookie is the “Boosted Odds” bonus, which significantly increases the winning potential of each bet.
The best sharp bookies are those that process a large volume of bets every day. Instead of making a profit on the differences of the odds, they choose to do it by accepting a wide range of wagers.
It’s also what keeps sharp bettors coming back to them, as they are usually able to find much more favorable odds when compared to sportsbooks with a fairly low betting volume.
Sharp bettors usually offer generous bonuses and promotions. Their promotions also come in various types and typically have easy and reasonable requirements. Here is an overview of the three common bonuses available at most bet sharp bookmakers:
A matched deposit bonus gives you a percentage boost on your initial payment. For instance, a 100% deposit match on a $100 deposit means you’ll get another $100 on top of it. In most cases, sharp bettors look for even higher match rates, going up to 300% or 400%, as well as higher maximum bonus limits.
Such offers are mainly available as part of the welcome package of select sharp bookies. Still, experienced sharp bettors also look for reload deposit match bonuses that give them regular top-ups of their bankroll, depending on deposits.
A risk-free bet guarantees you will get your stake back if your bet loses. These bet types are usually offered to new users. It is a convenient deal when making a high-stakes sharp bet.
The best sharp bookies out there also provide boosted odds, and this is especially convenient for high-roller wagers. For instance, the regular odds of 2.15 might be increased to 2.25, which is a considerable difference in winning potential.
Sharp betting sites have many advantages. Here is an overview of the most noteworthy ones:
As explained, sharp sportsbooks cover many sports categories and thousands of betting markets. As such, they allow sharp bettors to find all the betting options in a single platform, saving them time that’s usually spent on odds shopping and jumping from one sportsbook to another to place winning bets.
Higher odds mean larger winnings, as explained. Sharp sportsbooks often offer competitive odds and odds boosts.
Sharp bettors usually stake a lot of money for higher wins. Sharp sportsbooks generally offer high-roller betting limits to suit the needs of shark punters.
To find the “sharpest” sportsbooks with global availability, we’ve tested their features like betting limits, odds, bonuses, and available markets. Here’s a list of the top 5 options we were left with:
These bookies have premium betting features but differ in certain aspects. For example, only PointsBet offers “Name-a-Bet,” an innovative tool that lets gamblers recommend new betting types and markets.
Beating the house in sports betting takes a lot of work. It leads most punters to wonder if it’s even possible. The answer is yes, but becoming a sharp sports bettor requires patience, discipline, and a deep understanding of betting markets.
Let’s explore some tips you should keep in mind to give yourself a fighting chance against the house.
| Tips | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Prepare to Lose a Lot of Bets | Sharp bettors focus on long-term profitability rather than short-term results. So, you may find that they lose two of every five bets they place. Therefore, you must be prepared to lose a lot of bets in the long run. As long as you keep your winning percentage close to 55% or higher, you qualify as a sharp bettor. |
| Rely on Numbers | The biggest mistake most punters make is making decisions based on gut feelings or subjective opinions. It doesn’t happen with the sharps; they rely on numbers instead. Sharps spend hours analyzing statistical and historical data and developing betting models to predict outcomes and find value. With this, they usually notice and capitalize on sportsbooks’ mistakes with lines to their advantage. So, to be a successful sharp bettor, you must rely heavily on the numbers for your decisions. |
| Follow Sharp Action | Sharps are professionals who deeply understand the sports they bet on and find the best value possible. This results in them winning their wagers more often than not. Some sportsbooks would even amend their lines based on the sharps’ position. As such, following the sharp action is usually the right move when betting as a beginner. It increases your chances of winning and reduces losses, ensuring you make a profit in the long run. However, it’s essential to note that this also comes with some risk, as some syndicates may use setup to create a more favorable line. There is always a risk of falling on the wrong side of such situations. |
| Finding the Sharpest Odds | Finding the sharpest odds is as easy as finding the best sharp sportsbooks. It also involves reviewing each bookie’s odds and calculating the margins. Sportsbooks that offer price boosts are also recommendable. |
One indicator of sharps is their high success rate and the ability to profit against sportsbooks long-term. That is why most punters try to spot and follow their bets. But how do you find out what they’re betting on? Leave that to us – our experts have found a few effective ways, including:
These methods will give you a clue as to what action the sharps are taking, but they are not foolproof. Plus, the sharps are not always right. So, it would be best if you practice responsible gaming always when you follow them.
The most notable advantages of sharp betting include the following:
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Sharp betting is worth it for one major reason: success. Success in betting simply means more money. BetZillion’s pathway to a winning bet, explained in this guide, will help set you on the right path. From there, you just need to create a profitable betting strategy, choose your preferred sports and teams, and maintain self-discipline.
