The Sharp Report: Where the Money Lies

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Betting on games has become just as much a pastime as watching them. Thousands of sports fans now use betting to add intensity to their game-viewing experience. 

The advantage bet is usually made thoughtfully, after considering the amount of money/action placed on a team, score or other matters on which bets may be made.

While recreational gamblers rush to betting windows or their favorite app, professional gamblers strategically look for the lines that meet their betting criteria. Unlike recreational gamblers, professional gamblers have one objective—to beat the book. They let the recreational gamblers push a line until they find it undervalued, and that’s when they bet. These individuals are known as "Sharp bettors" and earn this title by hitting around 55 percent of their bets. Sharp bettors are more selective in picking games and use advanced statistics when betting.

Look at the Sharp Report

Average sports bettors miss out on key trends, adding to the number of bets they lose.  Each week, I will comb through the college football slate to discern which games have sharp money differing from general public money. The goal is to furnish added information to aid those interested in placing informed wagers.  

No. 2 Ohio State at No. 3 Oregon (OSU -3, Over 54 -112)

In one of the most anticipated matchups this season, Ohio State (5-0, 2-0 B1G) travels to Eugene, Ore. to take on Oregon (5-0, 2-0) at 7:30 p.m. EST on Oct. 12 on NBC. Ohio State and Oregon are both undefeated and coming off dominating wins a week ago. Ohio State ranks fourth in points scored per game, first in points allowed, ninth in total yardage and first in yards allowed. In those same categories, Oregon ranks 31st, 22nd, 25th and 10th. That could be the reason why 76 percent of the bets and 82 percent of the money are coming in for the Buckeyes. 

Despite most of the action being on OSU, the line has steadily dropped. It opened at -4.5 Ohio State and has moved to -3. It can be found juiced in some books at -3.5. Now, ask yourself this question: Why are the sportsbooks making it easier and less risky to take the betting favorite? The line should have seen a slow increase to entice money on Oregon. Instead, there was a decline, pushing more money toward Ohio State. Is this what is called a "sharp reverse line movement," where the public money is picking Ohio State, but the professional money is backing the Ducks? The professionals, by not agreeing with the public and taking the Ducks, are pushing the line back down.