handicapping and moving money ...
 

So, after scouring the FAQ and trying to read the last few days worth of posts on this board, I have a few questions about sportsbetting. Please forgive me if these are stupid questions, but I plan on becoming a regular member on this board as I migrate from a square to a sharp, so bear with me if you can:

1) What's the point of handicapping? OK, obviously if you want to gain employment working for a sportsbook it's important, but I don't understand how handicapping makes you money. I definitely see the advantage of shopping different lines and knowing which way a line will break. And to that end, I can see it would be worthwhile to know in advance where the line *should* be through handicapping skills. But if I think the line is wrong on this week's Tulsa/OU game, how does that benefit me unless I can name my own price?

2) How safe is my money in sportsbooks as an American? I jumped off the poker bandwagon last year after the government came down heavy on gambling; am I safe with credit cards and e-checks or should I try that wonky e-gold thing that some of the sportsbooks are shilling?

Thanks!

Re: handicapping and moving money ...
 

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But if I think the line is wrong on this week's Tulsa/OU game, how does that benefit me unless I can name my own price?


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If the line is 49ers -3 and you have the true line as 5, you would bet the 49ers at -3. If you have the true line as 3, then you would not bet that game.

Re: handicapping and moving money ...
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
But if I think the line is wrong on this week's Tulsa/OU game, how does that benefit me unless I can name my own price?


[/ QUOTE ]

If the line is 49ers -3 and you have the true line as 5, you would bet the 49ers at -3. If you have the true line as 3, then you would not bet that game.

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Also remember that a line that is slightly off your "true" line can still be unprofitable. The line posted has to be wrong enough to offset the juice, so simply betting a -48 point spread at -47 because you think the true line is -48 is not a good idea