Sports Betting Guide and Terms - Angles Sports Betting Terms

Angles

Definition

The term angle in sports betting refers to the use of previous factors to predict future outcomes. In other words, it is the analysis of previous conditions for use in the prediction of future games. A majority of handicappers, both professional and amateur, use angles in their analyses to determine their play(s).

Are they for real?

Angles can be thought of as another handicapping tool to consider when betting sports. Similar to trends, angles are useful, but cannot be solely relied upon to determine one’s plays. There may be contradicting plays for a given game, while sometimes, there are solely angles for one side. Public angles are often noted by the oddsmakers and are often accounted for when the lines are devised. An example of this can be seen in the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) playoff series. A few years back, the zig zag theory was fairly unknown. In this theory, the sports bettor merely backs the team who previously lost its last game. For a long time, a team would zig zag (against the spread); but, with the advent of mainstream statistical analyses via the Internet and the widespread technical knowledge of a burgeoning crop of ‘sharps’, oddsmakers are now shading such teams in zig zag conditions.

Some examples

Since angles are only good for a few years, until the oddsmakers catch on to them, below is a short list of some of the key angles in play during a regular season.

In the NBA, play against teams off back-to-back games (playing against them during the second leg). Often these teams do horrible secondary to the travel and fatigue factor.

In the National Football League (NFL), play against teams off a straight up road underdog win. These teams have played over their potential and often fall back to Earth in their following game.

In Major League Baseball (MLB), go for a team going for a sweep if they are at home. Except for divisional rivalries, teams who have won the first two games of a series often win the third and sweep their opponents. (may also apply to 4 game series).

Summary

In closing, angles can be found by analyzing a team’s past performance. Although fleeting, angles should be used as much as possible before the oddsmakers adjust to such an angle. Handicappers must be made aware to not share all of their angles, in fear of the widespread use of such an angle. Although they are very useful, angles should be used in conjunction with other angles to direct one’s plays.