Sports Betting Guide and Terms - Days Rest 

Definition

“Days Rest” means exactly what it sounds like. It is the amount of days that a team rests between games.

Why is this important?

In betting terms, considering the amount of days rest is very important in handicapping games. Athletes are people; people get tired. If a team plays multiple games in a row (assuming they play 1 game a day), then in fact, teams who undergo back-to-back games are less fresh than those who get more than 1 days rest. In Major League Baseball (MLB), where teams play a series of games against each other, the amount of days of rest does not really matter since both teams are suffering from the same amount of rest. In the National Basketball League (NBA), though, teams come off of different amounts of days rest. It is in this sport where this idea comes into great play.

Example

As stated earlier the NBA features teams coming off of different days rest. Teams in back-to-back situations who are on 0 days rest usually fare quite badly in these situations. Considering the travel factor, teams who are on the road on back-to-back games suffer the greatest. Teams off of 0 days rest usually do not cover the game and most of the time also loses the game. Favorites who are off back-to-back games usually lose the game straight up.

One great NBA Days Rest angle

One angle that has proven itself very profitable during the years is to go for a home team off of 1 days rest playing an opponent off of 0 days rest. The amount of rest that the home team has improves this angle. Physiologically, the healthier and more prepared team will be the home team, for they have had the time to rest and relax and go over their game plan against their opponent. The visiting team does not have the luxury of resting and preparing aptly for their opponent, and hence is in a bad spot.

Where does this angle not apply?

As stated earlier, MLB games do not usually apply to this rule (although there are some rare instances where the home team gets 1 days rest as opposed to their opposition getting 0 days rest for the start of a series). In general, though, MLB games and the National Football League games do not necessarily apply to this rule.

Conclusion

In total, days rest means the amount of time a team rests in between games. This fact can be used to handicap games and one may be able to judge how healthy and fresh a team will be in their upcoming game.