Football 2002 - The Regular Season

Others truly believe that if they concentrate on small conferences in college football that they can gain an edge over the bookmakers because they are spending more time concentrating on the major college teams.

I have interviewed many of the top football handicappers in the country and the one thread that I have found that is common among them is that they are all intelligent and hard working. I'm referring to the honest, legitimate handicappers that work at their business with the same diligence that their civilian counterparts work at their trade. I'm NOT referring to the shysters that will promise you the moon and suck you in until they steal your face right off your head. That's a line from a Grateful Dead song but it sure rings true when you see these obnoxious guys on your TV screen yelling and screaming for you to send them money because they guarantee that this game is a lock or that game is a guaranteed winner. Why if they are so sure don't they take out a second mortgage on their house and sell their car and step up to the betting window?

I've talked to many sports book directors at the major hotels in Las Vegas on my radio show and asked them point blank if they would take action from these guys that brag about winning every week. They all have given me the same answer, the betting window is open, and all they have to do is come in and step up with the cash. Most true handicapping professionals know that what they are doing is a sham.

Betting on football is fun, but it's tough to beat. For tourists that are diehard football fans, taking a Saturday or Sunday and spending the entire day in the sportsbook watching a half dozen games simultaneously is the best entertainment they are going to find in Las Vegas. Betting on the games makes it that much better.

If you get a little lucky and the bounces are going your way and you find yourself on the winning side, you'll think you died and gone to heaven. But be careful…don't bet more than you can afford to lose. And don't go chasing money that you have lost. One of the major pitfalls the sports bettor falls into is chasing and betting more after losing. Wait until you are winning before you step up your bets. You must have patience.

A good tip for sports bettors…Shop around for the betting numbers that are advantageous to your position. Always check out at least three sports books BEFORE you place your wager on a future bet proposition.

Getting the best number WILL help you become a winner. If you get the worst of the number time and time again you are doing yourself a terrible disservice.

"Stay out of poolrooms, kid, or all you'll ever have is fun" - William Kennedy

"If you win and you're not excited, then you haven't won at all" - John Gollehon

As Always…Good Luck!