What does Handle mean in Betting?

Handle in betting refers to the total amount of money wagered at a sportsbook on a game or event. Handle is also known as turnover, volume, or action. Handle can be measured over different time periods, such as a day, a week, a month, a year, or a season. Handle can also be measured by different sports, types of bets, or markets.

Why is Handle important for Sportsbooks?

Handle is important for sportsbooks for several reasons. First, handle is an indicator of the popularity and profitability of a sportsbook. The higher the handle, the more customers and revenue a sportsbook has. A high handle also means that a sportsbook has a large and loyal customer base that trusts its services and products.

Second, handle is a factor that influences the odds and point spreads that a sportsbook offers. The odds and point spreads are the numerical expressions of the probability and margin of an outcome occurring. For example, if the odds of Team A winning are 2.00 in decimal format, 1/1 in fractional format, or +100 in American format, it means that for every $1 you bet on Team A, you will win $2 if Team A wins. The point spread is the difference in points between the two teams or players involved in the event. The point spread indicates which team or player is favored to win and by how many points. For example, if Team A is favored by 7 points over Team B, the point spread is -7 for Team A and +7 for Team B. This means that Team A has to win by more than 7 points to cover the spread and win the bet, while Team B has to either win outright or lose by less than 7 points to cover the spread and win the bet.

Sportsbooks try to balance the amount of money wagered on each side of a bet by adjusting the odds and point spreads according to the supply and demand of the betting market. The goal is to have an equal amount of money wagered on both sides of a bet, so that no matter what the outcome is, the sportsbook will make a profit from the commission or juice that they charge for taking the bets. The commission or juice is usually included in the odds or point spread that the sportsbook offers. For example, if the sportsbook offers -110 odds on both sides of a bet, it means that you have to bet $110 to win $100 on either side. The extra $10 that you have to pay is the commission or juice that the sportsbook earns.

However, sometimes sportsbooks may not be able to balance the amount of money wagered on each side of a bet perfectly. This may happen because of various factors, such as:

• The popularity or public opinion of a team or player
• The availability or scarcity of information or data on an event
• The influence or action of sharp or professional bettors
• The unpredictability or volatility of an event

When this happens, sportsbooks may face a situation where they have more money wagered on one side of a bet than on the other side. This means that if that side wins, the sportsbook will have to pay out more money than they have collected from the bets. This is what exposure means in betting.

Exposure in betting refers to the maximum amount of money that a sportsbook stands to lose on a game or event. Exposure is also known as risk, liability, or exposure limit. Exposure can be expressed in money terms or as a percentage of a sportsbook’s total handle.

Sportsbooks manage their exposure by using various methods and strategies, such as:

• Adjusting the odds and point spreads: Sportsbooks can change the odds and point spreads for an event to attract more bets on the side that has less money wagered on it, and to discourage more bets on the side that has more money wagered on it. This way, they can try to balance the amount of money wagered on both sides of a bet, and reduce their exposure.
• Limiting the bets: Sportsbooks can limit the amount of money that bettors can wager on a certain event, team, or player. This way,
  they can prevent bettors from placing large bets that could increase their exposure significantly.
• Hedging the bets: Sportsbooks can hedge their bets by placing bets themselves on the opposite side of a bet that they have accepted. This way, they can offset some or all of their exposure by winning some or all of their own bets.
• Laying off the bets: Sportsbooks can lay off their bets by transferring some or all of their bets to another sportsbook or betting exchange. This way, they can share some or all of their exposure with another party, and reduce their own exposure.

Why is Handle important for Bettors?

Handle is important for bettors for several reasons. First, handle can indicate where the value lies in the betting market. By knowing what the sportsbook’s handle is on a certain event, team, or player, bettors can spot discrepancies and inefficiencies that may indicate where the value lies in the market. For example, if a sportsbook has a high handle on one side of a bet, but the odds or point spread are not moving in favor of that side, it may suggest that there is some resistance or disagreement from other sportsbooks or bettors. This may create an opportunity for bettors to bet on the other side and take advantage of the potential value.

Second, handle can influence the odds and point spreads in favor of bettors. By knowing what the sportsbook’s handle is on a certain event, team, or player, bettors can anticipate how the sportsbook may adjust the odds and point spreads to manage their handle. For example, if a sportsbook has a high handle on one side of a bet, they may lower the odds or widen the point spread for that side to attract more bets on it, and raise the odds or narrow the point spread for the other side to discourage more bets on it. This may create an opportunity for bettors to lock in better odds or point spreads for their bets.

How to Use Handle in Betting Effectively?

Using handle in betting effectively requires some research and analysis skills, as well as some tools and resources. Here are some tips on how to use handle in betting effectively:

• Find reliable sources of information: To use handle in betting effectively, you need to have access to reliable sources of information that can provide you with accurate and up-to-date data on handle across different sportsbooks and markets. You can use online platforms like OddsJam or Vault that offer real-time handle comparison and tracking tools for various sports and events.
• Track your bets and compare them with handle: To use handle in betting effectively, you need to track your bets and compare them with handle over time. There are sites like ours that offer sports betting education and calculators for various betting metrics and strategies, including comparing your bets with handle. You can also use spreadsheets or apps to record your bets and compare them with handle manually.
• Analyze your bets and handle: To use handle in betting effectively, you need to analyze your bets and handle over time. You can use online platforms like Odds Shark or BetMGM that offer live updates and insights on handle for various sports and events. You can also use charts or graphs to visualize your bets and handle over time.
• Apply your bets and handle to your betting decisions: To use handle in betting effectively, you need to apply your bets and handle to your betting decisions. You can use handle in betting as a tool to measure your risk and reward, as well as to find value and fairness in the market. You can also use handle in betting as a feedback mechanism for your bets, as well as a learning tool for improving your betting skills and strategies.

To Sum Up

Handle in betting refers to the total amount of money wagered at a sportsbook on a game or event. Handle is also known as turnover, volume, or action. Handle is important for sportsbooks because it indicates their popularity and profitability, influences their odds and point spreads, and affects their exposure. Handle is important for bettors because it indicates where the value lies in the market, influences the odds and point spreads in their favor, and affects their betting decisions. Using handle in betting effectively requires some research and analysis skills, as well as some tools and resources.