The use of sports betting handicapping services is the subject of heated debate, at least among my drinking circle. The two camps seem to be “Serious bettors understand how they can be worthwhile”, and “Only casual sports fans who don’t know much about sport use them”.
In my opinion, those camps don’t have to be mutually exclusive – a casual sports fan could be a very successful bettor, and a serious sports fan could throw money down the drain quite regularly if they don’t have the time, or the statistical know-how, to make good picks.
If you’re considering using a sports betting picks service, try out their free picks first. You may find that the freebetting picks will give you a good idea of the accuracy, or lack thereof, of the picks in general.
You should also look for the picks they have offered in the past. A good handicapping service will give you the chance to see their record for last season and this will prove invaluable in deciding if you want to go with them. At the very least, they should have a money back guarantee – and a strong record of satisfied customers. Don’t just trust the testimonials on the web site; ask around gambling forums, sports sites, and other places to see if people have been happy with the service. You should find a lot of people happy to share their experiences, good or bad.
If you do decide to make your own picks, be prepared to invest a lot of time into reading tables, analyzing teams, and considering recent matches. It’s a laborious task, but one you may enjoy if you’re a fan of the sport you’re betting on.