SOURCE: Bloomberg

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Leave It

What is more interesting is when the line moves for no apparent reason, especially if the team that the money favors isn't normally a popular one.

For example, last week a couple of the sportsbooks I bet with suddenly moved from offering the Packers at +2 ½ points against the New York Giants to only offering a +1 point spread.

Given the Packers are not currently a popular team for bettors outside Wisconsin, I thought this was almost certainly a sign of late professional money, which the bookies later confirmed to me was true. This put me off betting on the Giants.

My general rule is that if I see this sort of late move, I leave the game alone.

Chris David, sports editorial director of Vegas Insider, one of America's most popular gambling information Web sites, says late moves are particularly important to watch.

``Sharp players know which way the public is going to bet so they wait for the line to get as high as they think it ever can be and then come and bet the opposite way,'' he says.

``When you see a sudden move like that with no news to explain it, then you should take it seriously. If you can find a sportsbook that is a bit slow moving its line, then it's worth having a bet. If not, keep your money in your wallet.''

(Joe Saumarez-Smith is CEO of Sports Gaming, a U.K. management consulting firm to the gaming industry. He also owns European online bingo companies and odds comparison Web sites and publishes Point Spread Playbook. Joe will be betting on his selections. The opinions expressed are his own.)

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