Question re: Stanford Wong's website/hosts & other handicappers

JPT III · #1 10-24-2006, 01:12 PM

I see that the website named after his book (I don't want to be accused of being a spammer here) offers various packages for purchasing handicappers' picks in the major sports. The "hosts'" (i.e., handicappers') records for the past 3 to 5 seasons are also posted on the site, and each appears to have had success in the recent few years.

My question(s): Do we trust that these records are accurate? Anyone use these services in the past, with or without success, who can confirm the posted records?

I know Wong is considered an authority in this area, but I'm very skeptical over handicappers that sell their picks. For instance, after hearing they were the gold standard, I've used Goldsheet for football over the past 3 years (including this year), and been generally displeased with their performance. Thus I'm looking for a new handicapper to use (other than Pirateboy, Myturn, Performify, and iggymcfly, of course!)

Finally, does anyone recommend any service, which has a proven track record, other than those mentioned above?

Shakes · #2 10-24-2006, 01:17 PM

The only site I can recommend is StatShark. This is only their second season, but they have an excellent record over many, many games. They "pick" many more games.

Fezzik also gives away his plays for free and he is having quite the good season after last season's debacle in football. Fezziksplace.com

I cannot recommend anything else, including Wong's site.

JPT III · #3 10-24-2006, 02:00 PM

Thanks - Statshark looks interesting. Anyone else use them?

Shakes: Do you recommend NOT USING Wong's site? Or do you merely have no knowledge one way or the other.

sublime · #4 10-24-2006, 03:26 PM

[ QUOTE ]
My question(s): Do we trust that these records are accurate? Anyone use these services in the past, with or without success, who can confirm the posted records?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes. They are also skeward downwards due to:

1) Poor management in the past, which led to sketchy host selection.
2) graded at -110 which is the industry norm, but you should do better as the lines are widely available at worst (stevies overnights are tough and go)

i can personally attest to the accuracy of the records as I have been a follower for 2+ years and know the sites current admin fairly well.

[ QUOTE ]
I know Wong is considered an authority in this area, but I'm very skeptical over handicappers that sell their picks.

[/ QUOTE ]

Wong isnt really an authority on sports betting, he just happened to publish a book that had info in it that wasnt blatently wrong. the teaser info was great, the rest was page filler.

do you mind if i ask how much you are betting per game? if its less that 1k, paying for a service is most likely a mistake.

JPT III · #5 10-24-2006, 04:14 PM

No, I don't mind you asking one bit. I play $200 units, and occasionally double up for a $400 wager. I don't typcially wager more than 2 units on anything. My sports wagering bankroll is just south of 20K, although I do borrow from it now and then (in small amounts) for casino bonus whoring (haven't done poker bonuses yet - not sure I'm good enough at the game to make it worthwhile). So in that sense it's not a bankroll stictly dedicated to sports wagering, but close enough. I wish I could say I built that bankroll, but I did not. I make a decent living and don't have a family yet, so with this money I'm simply trying to outperfrom my 401K and the stockmarket with this money (since that's where it would otherwise be).

Not worth it for me to pay a few hundred bucks for a service? Should I merely stick to arbs, bonuses, and Wong teasers to build that bankroll? I don't have the time to seriously handcicapp myself, other than grabbing a few halftime college lines (and occasionally game lines) where I've watched the first half of the game and think I've identified a +EV wager.

Advice for a newbie, sublime? I appreciate you taking an interest in my post, and I also appreciate any advice you may have. PM me if you feel it appropriate, or post here if you think the forum might benefit from any continued discussion.

sublime · #6 10-24-2006, 05:08 PM

[ QUOTE ]

Not worth it for me to pay a few hundred bucks for a service?

[/ QUOTE ]

I dont think so, no. The service will eat up a huge chunk (25% or so) of your expected returns.

I would just bet fezziks picks over at fezziksplace.com and follow his fezdaq project. pound bonus after bonus after bonus after bonus.

beetman · #7 10-24-2006, 08:44 PM

I've used the services at Sharp Sports Betting and can attest to the accuracy of the records. If $400 isn't overbetting your bankroll (say it's 2% of bank) it might be worthwhile to subscribe--in that case, the subscription fee for a single sport is only about 1 unit. They are also very good about giving refunds for unused services so if you subscribe and decide after a couple weeks that you aren't satisfied with the service, they'll gladly give you a refund.