WOODEN said:
Note to PREGAME:
Make all cappers records per sport, per season available in season-to-date format so people don't have to ask, and cappers can focus on what they do best.
VEGASINSIDERS provides a searchable database with every cappers records.
Whatever works - I do have a thought or two that I almost started a new thread over, but I was driving and it was raining. Now I am not driving and in the house. If this was a note to "Pregame" - great, but it's in my thread so I am obligated and happy to address it.
Lots of people ask, at the beginning of every new sport, what the cappers' record was LAST YEAR. Honestly, if that's the basis for people (and I am not talking to you, specifically, Wooden - anyone that reads it) buying season subscriptions, it's probably not the right reason - or at least shouldn't be the ONLY reason.
Let's suppose someone had 19 straight winning years and lost in the 20th - and in the following year people want "last years" record. Is last year reflective of what that person has done for two decades? Of course not. Take Nover for example - I doubt he'll mind me using his name in vain. He had 19 of 21 winning seasons. That's pretty impressive - but if he lost last year, well, people want nothing to do with this season.
Conversely, let's say someone LOST for 19 straight years and had a MONSTER year last season - of course people were either not around the first 19 years, or don't care to remember. But, they ask for last years' record and it was an awesome season.
Let's say someone says they have NEVER had a losing season - but they had only been handicapping for ONE year. And people want last years' record. So, that person looks really, really, good.
Let's say GoodFella had a losing season in MLB this year (he did not) - next March everyone wants last years' record. Nevermind the fact that he won for eight straight years - anyone that doesn't know the history isn't buying GoodFella next year.
Let's say Spartan (I'll use his name in vain, too) had lost for eight straight years in the NFL (he did not) and bankrupted every client in the process (he did not) - then last season had an EPIC season (he did) - everyone wants Spartans' plays this season - nevermind that he could have lost 1000 units prior to 2014 (he did not).
Here's the thing(s). People asked for my record and I tell them we lost. I am humbled that people even ask. We had one month that was as horrific as it could ever be. That is what people remember - what you did last - not what you do over time. If anyone is going to buy a long term package, the question "what did you do last year" only tells a fraction of the story. And I don't care whether it's Pregame or any other site/individual.
Anyone subscribing long term should ask more questions. How many games do you typically play? Do you take underdogs or favorites? How early do you release plays? Do you give any analysis? What percentage of your plays are "bigger"? And whatever you think helps you bet either the way YOU want, or be open-minded to the fact that there is no right or wrong way and perhaps the buyer needs to make some adjustments (or they likely wouldn't be looking for advice in the first place).
But first the buyers need to clearly establish their OWN expectations. Some people just want the plays, assuming that the works' been done and that they're from a Pro so they cannot possibly lose. That's blind trust that handicappers earn. Some people want a lot of reasoning because they're fairly sharp on their own and just don't have the time - so they may not even bet a particular play - but they got the information/homework.
Expectations. Some people recognize that they won't retire or get wealthy from betting on sports - they want to have action, some fun, and keep most of their bankroll at years' end. They just don't want to be on the wrong end of a million bets that never have a chance. Some people go into a season expecting to make a lot of money and that's it's a given that they will. And of course there is everyone in between, which is why there are a cross-section of handicappers to meet almost everyone's needs, or at least their perceived needs. I gave people the exact negative count - for last year - and if last year is the basis for people buying ANYONE'S plays, then we should all just disregard anything that happened previously, good or bad.
And if Francisco Liriano hits a ground rule double - then our 3* for tonight is the wrong side of a play that never had a chance. Wednesday might be a good day for me to lay low and do more work for Thursday.