One of the biggest debates in sports betting is the value of buying professional handicapper's selection packages. Even the best expert handicappers experience extended slumps as part of an overall winning percentage that hovers in the range of 60 percent. They are quick to tout their service when an 8-unit lock of the year hits, but real sports bettors already know that there is no such thing as a lock when it comes to betting on sports.
You own personal answer to this question hinges on your current betting strategy, habits and results. If you consider yourself a recreational sports gambler betting a few games a week at low units, then the added cost of buying those picks may not make sense.
On the other hand, if you are an "action junkie" looking for a high volume of plays on a regular basis, a weekly or monthly professional selection package could be a viable way to increase your overall return on investment. Once you stop and take a closer look at your current situation, you will be able to determine the best course of action moving forward.
Analyze Your Current Sports Betting Results
If the only thing you know for sure about your current betting strategy is how much you are up or down in your online sportsbook betting account, you need to get a much better handle on your actual results.
The first question you should be able to answer with relative ease is your overall winning percentage. Anything over 50 percent is a good step in the right direction. Anything less than 40 percent is a major cause for concern. The overall winning percentage is just a starting point. You should also know your results by individual sports and individual bets. For example, if you are winning 54 percent of your straight bets on the NBA point spread and 44 percent of your bets on the NBA total line, you need to make some adjustments to the overall mix.
What was your winning percentage of last season's college football point spread bets vs. the NFL bets you made? Luck is a definite factor in sports betting, but you should be able to break things down to the point where you know where you made money and where you lost it. By gaining a deeper understanding of your winning percentage, you can determine whether or not you should turn to a professional selection service to try and raise the bar.
Adding In the Cost Factor With Professional Picks
The right way to shop for a sports betting selection package is by finding an expert handicapper with a proven record of success in the sport you are looking to bet. The wrong way to buy selection packages is by price. It does not matter how cheap the picks maybe if the overall result is lost money.
You should also find selection packages that mirror your current betting strategy. As mentioned, the volume of bets you place on a weekly basis is a critical factor in the equation. Paying for picks that you never bet is just an added cost to the bottom line. You should also try and find selections with a recommended unit play. This takes all the guesswork out of things.
Remain Consistent Betting Your Paid Selections
It is tough to pick and choose your spots when it comes to squeezing the best value out of paid selections. You also need to be committed to the long haul. The best returns on investment are delivered throughout the entire season. If a professional handicapper ends up with a 60 percent winning percentage for all of their NBA picks, you can rest assured that there were some wild swings either way over that entire ride.