Sports Betting Guide and Terms - Edge

Definition

The term “edge”, as it refers to sports gambling, is basically the advantage a player has over the sportsbooks.

Different types of gambler; who uses an “edge”?

When it comes to sports gambling, there are basically two types of sports bettors in the industry: those who enjoy gambling and play for the fun of it, and those who seriously try to make money in the long term. Sports gamblers can also be divided into two groups—the sharps and the public. Those who relish sports gambling and do it for fun are usually those who do not do much research when they place their bets. They simply want action on a certain game and do not necessarily research the teams involved in the matchup. Often these types of gamblers go to either Las Vegas and/or Atlantic City for the weekend and bet on their favorite teams. After their vacations, these gamblers usually go back to their normal lives and simply do not place another sports wager until their next return to a casino. Yet, others open up an account at online sportsbooks and continue to bet for fun. But, there are others who really do try to beat the sportsbooks. As a subset to these types of people, sharps are those who make sports gambling a very serious activity. Though it is true that these sharps enjoy betting and watch sports, they are mostly ‘in the game’ to make money. It is these types of gamblers who actually try to use an “edge” in an effort to beat the sportsbooks.

How can an “edge” be discovered?

Sharp players often use several methods to direct their plays. Some use computer programs, others use trends, while still some prefer studying the statistics. As the internet age ushers in a new era of mass communication, more and more information is becoming readily available to Joe Q. Public. Hence, there has been an outburst of new sharps who accumulate data over the years and use this to handicap sports games. Ideally, once a sharp finds an “edge”, such a sharp will keep this “edge” and look for other situations in the future that fall within the parameters of the “edge”. For example, consider this “edge”—fade a road team in game 1 of a series if they are on their 3rd road game series and now facing a home team on their 3rd home game series. In sports history tends to repeat itself. Thus, by combining multiple angles on a game, one can actually ‘predict’ the outcome of the event, and if the odds offer value to the sharp, then the smart sports gambler will place a wager on the game.

Summary

In general, an “edge” is the advantage enjoyed by the sports gambler over the sportsbooks. By using this “edge” one may be able to beat the sportsbooks in the long run.