What Is a Handicapper in Betting?

A handicapper is a person who sets the betting odds based on calculations. A handicapper is also known as an oddsmaker, a bookmaker, or a sports analyst. A handicapper’s job is to analyze and evaluate the various factors that can affect the outcome of a sport or event, such as statistics, trends, injuries, weather, etc., and assign a numerical value or a point spread to each team or player. A handicapper’s goal is to create a fair and balanced betting market, where the odds reflect the true probability of each outcome, and where the bookmaker can make a profit regardless of the outcome.

How Handicapper Works

To set the betting odds, a handicapper follows these steps:

• Choose the sport or event that they want to set the odds for. They can select from various sports and events, such as football, basketball, baseball, soccer, tennis, golf, etc.
• Choose the type of bet that they want to set the odds for. They can select from various types of bets, such as moneyline, point spread, totals, props, or futures.
• Choose the teams or players that are competing or participating in the sport or event. They can select from various leagues or tournaments, such as NFL, NBA, MLB, FIFA, ATP, etc.
• Collect and analyze the data and information that are relevant and reliable for the sport or event. They can use various sources and methods, such as statistics, trends, injuries, weather, etc., to measure and compare the performance and potential of each team or player.
• Calculate and assign a numerical value or a point spread to each team or player, based on their data and analysis. They can use various formulas and models, such as power ratings, regression analysis, etc., to estimate and adjust the value or the spread of each team or player.
• Adjust and finalize the odds and the margins for each team or player, based on the supply and demand in the betting market. They can use various tools and techniques, such as market research, customer feedback, hedging, etc., to monitor and modify the odds and the margins of each team or player.

Examples of Handicapper’s Odds

Here are some examples of the odds that a handicapper sets for different sports and types of bets:

Example 1:

The odds for a football game with a point spread bet:

• Sport: Football

• Event: NFL game between Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants

• Bet type: Point spread

• Teams: Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants

• Data and analysis: The handicapper collects and analyzes the statistics, trends, injuries, weather, etc., of both teams, and assigns a power rating to each team. The power rating is a numerical value that represents the strength and quality of each team. The handicapper calculates the point spread by subtracting the power rating of the underdog from the power rating of the favorite, and adding or subtracting a home-field advantage or a key number. The handicapper adjusts the point spread based on the market research and customer feedback.

• Point spread: Dallas Cowboys -7.5

• Odds: -110 for both teams

• Margin: 10%

Example 2:

The odds for a basketball game with a totals bet:

• Sport: Basketball

• Event: NBA game between Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics

• Bet type: Totals

• Teams: Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics

• Data and analysis: The handicapper collects and analyzes the statistics, trends, injuries, weather, etc., of both teams, and assigns an offensive and defensive rating to each team. The offensive rating is a numerical value that represents the scoring ability of each team. The defensive rating is a numerical value that represents the defensive ability of each team. The handicapper calculates the total by adding the offensive ratings of both teams, and subtracting the defensive ratings of both teams. The handicapper adjusts the total based on the market research and customer feedback.

• Total: 220.5

• Odds: -110 for both over and under

• Margin: 10%

Pros and Cons of Handicapper’s Odds

Handicapper’s odds can have some benefits and drawbacks for both the handicapper and the bettor. Some of them are:

Pros:

• For the handicapper: Handicapper’s odds can provide an opportunity for making a profit by attracting more bets and charging a margin or a commission. Handicapper’s odds can also provide a challenge and a thrill for analyzing and predicting the outcomes of sports and events.
• For the bettor: Handicapper’s odds can provide an opportunity for finding value and making a profit by comparing different odds and margins offered by different handicappers or betting platforms. Handicapper’s odds can also provide more excitement and variety for betting on different sports and events.

Cons:

• For the handicapper: Handicapper’s odds can involve a high risk and difficulty of losing money by setting unfavorable odds or facing unexpected outcomes. Handicapper’s odds can also cause stress and pressure for collecting and analyzing data and information, and adjusting and finalizing the odds and margins.
• For the bettor: Handicapper’s odds can involve a high risk and difficulty of losing money by placing unfavorable bets or facing unexpected outcomes. Handicapper’s odds can also cause frustration and disappointment for finding limited or restricted betting options.

To Sum Up

A handicapper is a person who sets the betting odds based on calculations. A handicapper is also known as an oddsmaker, a bookmaker, or a sports analyst. A handicapper’s job is to analyze and evaluate the various factors that can affect the outcome of a sport or event, such as statistics, trends, injuries, weather, etc., and assign a numerical value or a point spread to each team or player. A handicapper’s goal is to create a fair and balanced betting market, where the odds reflect the true probability of each outcome, and where the bookmaker can make a profit regardless of the outcome. Handicapper’s odds can have some pros and cons for both handicappers and bettors, depending on their goals and preferences.