The biggest asset of any forum is the amount and accuracy of information exchanged. At Pregame we not only have many solid posters to provide insight on particular games and teams but a large pool of professional handicappers who provide a lot of info and insight about handicapping. While you can always find a group of solid poster at most sites you won't find a great pool of professional handicappers like Pregame has. In general these pros do and have provided a ton of insight on handicapping and the world of sports betting. However I see one big drawback with our pro handicappers. I'm not sure of the best way to correct the situation so everyone benifits and it's not a drawback to the Pros. I would love to hear everyones opinions at the end.

The one time we need information the most is on game day and about specifics such as teams, umpires, players, etc. The one problem with that is a particular Pro my have that game as a pick that day and not want to share anything about it in public. I understand that. Let me give an example. Everyone knows Spartan is VERY good on games involving Missouri. He can provide info that just can't be found anywhere else. In NCAA basketball I'm like that with Southeast Missouri State (SEMO). And please I'm not trying to say I'm as good as Spartan (I'm not). But when it comes to this team I can provide info that you can't find anywhere else. Now on game day if I have a play on SEMO I'll do a short write-up and be around to answer any questions that someone might have about the team or game. On days Missouri plays the odds are that Spartan will have a play either on or against them, not always but usually. Sometimes there will be some questions that I really would like answered but since I figure that he has a play on the game I won't even bother to ask because I'm sure he won't come in the forums and discuss a game that he is probable selling. I know some of you will say just buy his pick. That's why he's here. This is just one example. Each Pro is different in their knowledge and no one can go around buying everyones games each day.

I know everyone is getting tired of me talking about write-ups but let me give you another example from this week. I'm on VR's bet like a pro program. Thursday VR only had one play. A 3* play on KC +1.5. Spartan had a 3* play also that night so I decided to go ahead and purchase it. Of course his play was CWS -1.5. The exact opposite of VR. Now I didn't have a feeling one way or the other on the game. But the bad thing was neither one had a write-up on the game giving their reasons behind the pick to help sway me one way or the other. Sometimes the Pros have write-ups and sometimes they don't. I FIRMLY belive that the Pro's owe it to their clients to give the reasoning behind their selections. We also need more of a free flowing exchange of ideas and info on game days without comprimising the Pros' picks. Please, let's hear some ideas.

Pool, I hate when that happens. And when it does happen, I'm left to my own devices. I'd like to see what some of the other guys have to say too. Right now I don't have much time but I'l try to get back to you on this sometime later. We'll see what happens.

pool:

The biggest asset of any forum is the amount and accuracy of information exchanged. At Pregame we not only have many solid posters to provide insight on particular games and teams but a large pool of professional handicappers who provide a lot of info and insight about handicapping. While you can always find a group of solid poster at most sites you won't find a great pool of professional handicappers like Pregame has. In general these pros do and have provided a ton of insight on handicapping and the world of sports betting. However I see one big drawback with our pro handicappers. I'm not sure of the best way to correct the situation so everyone benifits and it's not a drawback to the Pros. I would love to hear everyones opinions at the end.

The one time we need information the most is on game day and about specifics such as teams, umpires, players, etc. The one problem with that is a particular Pro my have that game as a pick that day and not want to share anything about it in public. I understand that. Let me give an example. Everyone knows Spartan is VERY good on games involving Missouri. He can provide info that just can't be found anywhere else. In NCAA basketball I'm like that with Southeast Missouri State (SEMO). And please I'm not trying to say I'm as good as Spartan (I'm not). But when it comes to this team I can provide info that you can't find anywhere else. Now on game day if I have a play on SEMO I'll do a short write-up and be around to answer any questions that someone might have about the team or game. On days Missouri plays the odds are that Spartan will have a play either on or against them, not always but usually. Sometimes there will be some questions that I really would like answered but since I figure that he has a play on the game I won't even bother to ask because I'm sure he won't come in the forums and discuss a game that he is probable selling. I know some of you will say just buy his pick. That's why he's here. This is just one example. Each Pro is different in their knowledge and no one can go around buying everyones games each day.

I know everyone is getting tired of me talking about write-ups but let me give you another example from this week. I'm on VR's bet like a pro program. Thursday VR only had one play. A 3* play on KC +1.5. Spartan had a 3* play also that night so I decided to go ahead and purchase it. Of course his play was CWS -1.5. The exact opposite of VR. Now I didn't have a feeling one way or the other on the game. But the bad thing was neither one had a write-up on the game giving their reasons behind the pick to help sway me one way or the other. Sometimes the Pros have write-ups and sometimes they don't. I FIRMLY belive that the Pro's owe it to their clients to give the reasoning behind their selections. We also need more of a free flowing exchange of ideas and info on game days without comprimising the Pros' picks. Please, let's hear some ideas.

 

That reminds me.. I forgot to Thank you for the information you gave out on SEMO for CBB season.  I made a few hundred bucks following your plays and insight on that team...  

SacLunch:

That reminds me.. I forgot to Thank you for the information you gave out on SEMO for CBB season.  I made a few hundred bucks following your plays and insight on that team...  

Glad I could help SacLunch. This coming year should be very interesting with a new coaching staff and mostly a whole new team.

Damn, I gotta get in on your SEMO cashing zone!

As far as the write-ups go, I haven't done much purchasing, but it does seem reasonable for a Pro to do a writeup on a BIG play - maybe not so much on the 1* or freebies, since time may be better spent researching and confirming information on the larger plays.

This is going to occur in the Big 12 between me and Spartan...I have long been known as a Big 12 specialist, long before Spartan showed up on the scene...we may be on the same side or against each other, and the customer who gets both packages will be confused.....I guess follow the hottest guy. 

I yesterday Had Chicago White aSox and Colorado as part of a 3 game pack. Both won.... I commented in detail on a post where a guy put out Arizona and Chicago.  I explained why Arizona was not a good bet and Chicago was a good bet  without revealing there were my plays...so sometimes some of us cappers do comment on games we have ...I choose not reveal it, unless I have stated in a sales hook I am on particular game. 

I ALWAYS state reasons why, in a write up why I like the game.  I keep it to 100 words or less, because at days end..guys want the play, not war and peace for a write-up, I but I have always, since posting on the Internet, stated why I am taking a game...Sometimes a 2 line deal, sometimes a detailed paragraph...depending on time contraints and when the games start and ect....

Some guys go bizerk on writeups and some guys do not...Guess I am in the middle,  I do like to tell my paying clients why I am putting them on a play...I think if they pluk down their hard earned cash, they should get the reasoning, ...just a business model I have always incorporated.

Pool, thoughtful feedback like yours adds great value to the fourms.

Concering buying opposite sides of games, we have now launched Opposite Side Insurance - a Pregame.com-only program which removes all such risk.

When it comes to analysis, most Pros provide it . . . some don't. I personally very much like analysis (understanding why a capper likes a game offers great value) . . . Pregame.com's goal is to provide a platform which allows the best handicappers to contribute - it's great when providing analysis is part of that . . . but for those who it's not, I'd rather them skip the write up than offer an effort they don't feel strongly about.

About the experts being limited by having a best bet on a game . . . On some occassions there will only be information that is for sale, but most the time the Pros are especially good at being generous with their time and expertise . . . in fact, that is the one area that no other site even comes close with: community access to the professionals.

I almost always put thoughts down on the games. I would want to know what a handicapper thought if I were buying his plays..

I happened to see that post from you, Tony - that was a very cool thing to do!  How can someone bet on the D'backs right now?  Yikes...

Exactly Dan..... and many are losing bets trying to fade the Rockies as well on general principle....quite frankly their schedule is favorable to keep a very hot streak alive...I would not go against them at home with with Arizonas road record..thats for sure....they are due to lose a few...but this is not the series to fade them right now IMO...