What both these guys said is correct. I've been using this site off and on (more on in the last two years) for quite some time. The thing I've learned from reading posts and watching lines, is that you need to do your own homework. I use this and other forum sites to gauge what people feel about a game, but I'm always looking for the "insightful", not "fandom" talk. I look in different places for insight and advice, but at the end of the day, I still pick based on my homework. That is the main thing. I also feel that the guys who post on this site are better at both their picks and their reasoning. That, for me, speaks volumes. I would like to know that you feel this game is going this way because of reason "x and y" rather than "my buddy, who knows someone, who knows someone said take this game."
If you follow someone on the site for their pick analysis, make sure that you feel what they say is solid and valid. If you ride with someone on a pick and it loses, don't be mad at them. They did their own work and felt that sharing it would be a great gesture to all of us. If the pick fails because of something stupid (like an injury to the qb and the backup sucks), then they (and you) were on the right path and random just happened to happen and ruin the pick. But remember, YOU decided to ride with them. You chose to make that bet. Don't be sour. Too many people on here get mad because they follow a pick and it fails and then they decide to yell at the advisor not the better (themselves).
Also, I would learn to start watching lines on Mondays and see how they move through the week. The one thing you go to solve for yourself, that Pregame does great, is determining at what time you want to go against the public. What is the percentage that you feel the bet needs to be made to be against the public? Pregame will post where the cash and tickets are going by percent. Learn to read that line information to help you gauge "sharp" vs "square" money.
Take your time and do your work and slowly pick up on cues from other betters and pickers and your own insight and you fill find yourself in a stronger betting position than you thought you would be in.
Also, never be afraid to post what you think the best bet is. We all want more insight and information. You don't need to explain your picks. You can if you want to. But post them if you feel strong about it.
RCGrimes