Regardless of the sport or competition, there is always a favorite and an underdog. And seeing that underdog overcome the odds makes sports beautiful to watch. As fun as those surprising victories are, they are few and far between, so is it worth placing your bets on the underdog?
Consider the Sport
The sport your bet on should be the primary factor in your decision. The underdog in baseball and college football games could mean two different things. Even the worst team in baseball is going to win 50 games to beat the best team once in a blue moon. For example, the lonely Chicago Cubs swept the New York Mets in New York last season. In college football, an underdog could be so overmatched that it’s a wasted bet, even if you’re getting 20-to-1 on your bet. Overall, consider the sport’s individual characteristics before you wager on an underdog.
Ulterior Motives
Are there any ulterior motives that could be the driving force behind an underdog to overcome adversity and emerge victorious? Things like a former coach returning, a heated rematch, unnecessary trash talk, prize money, and playoff positioning matter. If an underdog has that extra oomph, it makes sense to lay some action.
The Elements
The game’s location is a huge factor in the outcome. You should jump at the chance on the underdog if you’re getting points, runs, or goals with a home-field advantage. Rarely does a warm-weather team do well in winter weather regardless of the team’s records and vice versa. Even throughout Tom Brady’s reign with the New England Patriots, the Pats struggled to beat the Dolphins in Miami. Always consider location, time zone changes, rest, and weather before you place your bets.
A Value Bet
If you were to lay straight bets on underdogs in any sport, the odds are you would come out on the positive side of things by the end of the year, particularly one with variance. Hitting on a dog that’s +400 means you can whiff on your next three picks and still break even. Reeling off a couple of those underdog moneyline bets will give you a nice buffer for the week. Favorites win more games, but underdogs can make you more money.
It’s Fun To Root for the Underdog
Everyone loves a classic David versus Goliath situation. Unless it’s your team or your favorite player as Goliath, there isn’t a lot of rooting interest in them. Cheering on David to pull off the colossal upset is much more entertaining. So, even if the previous four logical and mathematical reasons don’t hit home for you, the fun aspect should. After all, that’s what makes the NCAA tournament riveting.
The full picture of whether it is worth placing your bets on the underdog helps you think with your brain over your heart. When you buy sports picks from Pregame, you also think with your head because we got winners for you. We will find those value underdogs for you, leaving it in your hands if you want a piece of the action.