A hot game is a term that refers to a game that is drawing a significant amount of action or bets on one side by knowledgeable handicappers or bettors. A hot game is also known as a steam game, a sharp game, or a wise guy game. A hot game is a common and important phenomenon in sports betting, especially in major sports and events.
How Hot Game Works
To identify a hot game, you need to follow these steps:
Choose the sport or event that you want to monitor for hot games. You can select from various sports and events, such as football, basketball, baseball, soccer, tennis, golf, etc.
Choose the type of bet that you want to monitor for hot games. You can select from various types of bets, such as moneyline, point spread, totals, props, or futures.
Check the betting lines and the odds for each game or bet. The betting lines are the numbers or symbols that indicate the terms and conditions of the bet. The odds are the ratio of the payout to the stake. The betting lines and the odds for each game or bet may vary depending on the bookmaker, casino, or betting platform that offers them, and may change over time as the market or event progresses or approaches.
Check the betting trends and the public opinion for each game or bet. The betting trends are the patterns or movements of the bets that are placed by the bettors. The public opinion is the general or popular view or sentiment of the bettors. The betting trends and the public opinion for each game or bet may vary depending on the source or method that collects and analyzes them, such as sports media, social media, betting forums, etc.
Compare the betting lines and the odds with the betting trends and the public opinion for each game or bet. A hot game is a game or bet that has a significant discrepancy or difference between the betting lines and the odds and the betting trends and the public opinion. A hot game is usually indicated by one or more of the following signs:
The betting line or the odds move significantly or rapidly in one direction, regardless of the public opinion or the volume of bets. This means that the bookmaker, casino, or betting platform is adjusting the betting line or the odds to balance the action or the risk, as they are receiving a large amount of bets on one side by knowledgeable handicappers or bettors.
The betting line or the odds are significantly or consistently different from the market average or consensus. This means that the bookmaker, casino, or betting platform is offering a better or worse deal than the rest of the market, as they are trying to attract or deter bets on one side by knowledgeable handicappers or bettors.
The betting trend or the public opinion is significantly or consistently opposite or contrary to the betting line or the odds. This means that the majority or the popular opinion of the bettors is wrong or uninformed, as they are betting on the wrong or unfavorable side, while the minority or the expert opinion of the bettors is right or informed, as they are betting on the right or favorable side.
Examples of Hot Games
Here are some examples of hot games with different sports and types of bets:
Example 1:
A hot game in a football game with a point spread bet:
Sport: Football
Event: NFL game between Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants
Bet type: Point spread
Betting line: Dallas Cowboys -7.5
Odds: -110 for both teams
Betting trend: 70% of the bets are on New York Giants +7.5
Public opinion: New York Giants are underrated and have a chance to win or cover the spread
Hot game: Dallas Cowboys -7.5 is a hot game, as the betting line moved from -6.5 to -7.5, despite the majority of the bets and the public opinion being on New York Giants +7.5. This means that the bookmaker, casino, or betting platform is receiving a large amount of bets on Dallas Cowboys -7.5 by knowledgeable handicappers or bettors, who think that Dallas Cowboys are overrated and have no chance to win or cover the spread.
Example 2:
A hot game in a basketball game with a totals bet:
Event: NBA game between Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics
Bet type: Totals
Betting line: Over 220.5 points
Odds: -110 for both over and under
Betting trend: 60% of the bets are on under 220.5 points
Public opinion: Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics have strong defenses and low scoring averages
Hot game: Over 220.5 points is a hot game, as the betting line moved from 218.5 to 220.5, despite the majority of the bets and the public opinion being on under 220.5 points. This means that the bookmaker, casino, or betting platform is receiving a large amount of bets on over 220.5 points by knowledgeable handicappers or bettors, who think that Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics have weak defenses and high scoring averages.
Pros and Cons of Hot Games
Hot games can have some benefits and drawbacks for bettors. Some of them are:
Pros:
They can provide an opportunity for finding value and making a profit by following or fading the hot games, depending on the bettor’s strategy and confidence. Following the hot games means betting on the same side as the knowledgeable handicappers or bettors, while fading the hot games means betting on the opposite side as the knowledgeable handicappers or bettors.
They can provide more excitement and challenge for bettors who enjoy betting on volatile or unpredictable markets or events, as they can involve more risk and reward, and more analysis and research.
They can provide more information and insight for bettors who want to learn from the knowledgeable handicappers or bettors, as they can observe and study their betting patterns and behaviors, and their reasons and rationale.
Cons:
They can involve more risk and uncertainty than regular games, as they can be influenced or affected by external factors that are beyond the control of the bettors, such as odds movements, betting limits, or betting restrictions.
They can be difficult or tricky to identify or verify, as they can be based on incomplete or inaccurate data and information, or on subjective or biased opinions and sentiments.
They can be scarce or limited in availability or quantity, as they may depend on the bookmaker, casino, or betting platform’s generosity or promotion, or on the market or event’s popularity or significance.
To Sum Up
A hot game is a term that refers to a game that is drawing a significant amount of action or bets on one side by knowledgeable handicappers or bettors. A hot game is also known as a steam game, a sharp game, or a wise guy game. A hot game is a common and important phenomenon in sports betting, especially in major sports and events. A hot game works by comparing the betting lines and the odds with the betting trends and the public opinion for each game or bet, and looking for signs of discrepancy or difference. A hot game can have some pros and cons for bettors, depending on their goals and preferences.