Submitted by rsteel on
We often hear the above labels but what does it really mean. Professional gamblers who do this for a living (sharps) are all about getting the right price in other words VALUE. They will bet either side of a particular game if the line provides value. It has absolutely nothing to do with having an opinion who will win the game.
Remember we are not in the business of predicting winners of individual sporting events as hard as that is to believe. Everything we do is with a view to the long term.
Public bettors are frequently referred to as squares. They are far less focused on value and are betting based on perception.
Occasionally on a given game the sharps and squares will be on the same side but not often. It is the squares in volume rather than size of bets that will move the line into value for the opposite site. Also on occasion the squares will be on the right side and the sharps not. However over the long haul just like in poker it is the sharps that take the money.