Before you place online sports bets, you should consider the odds movers on that particular day. It's great to get an insight into the biggest price movers today. We can indicate the selections which are proving popular and also the picks that have drifted in the market. This information can certainly help to guide your online sports betting.
We're keen to highlight the odds movers, especially those selections which are shortening. These are of particular betting interest. When a bookie cuts the price on a drastic basis, they usually have some information which increases the probability of the bet winning. Alternatively, it could just be a lot of money going on a particular pick.
What Are Steamers and Drifters?
Steamers are betting selections where the odds have dramatically shortened. If it's a football team, you might find that their opening price is 6/4 and they end up being evens before kick-off. Similarly, there could be a tennis player whose odds are slashed ahead of an upcoming match. It applies to any betting selection where the bookmakers have seen fit to shorten the odds.
The odds shortening indicates that the implied probability of that selection winning has increased. It usually means that other picks in the market will see their odds drifting. It can often be the weight of money for a selection that causes the odds to change. There might also be some 'in the know' money going on a betting pick which means that the price contracts.
Among the biggest price movers today, we will also highlight the odds movers that are drifting. There are going to be betting picks that customers don't want to back. As a result, a betting site or app will lengthen the odds for that selection. If they haven't taken many wagers on these picks, then they won't have built up any liabilities on the selections.
Why Do Betting Odds Move?
There are several reasons why you will see odds drifting or odds shortening. It's worth noting that when a bookmaker first releases a market for an upcoming match, they will tread carefully with the prices. It's usually the case that you will get the most competitive odds much closer to kick-off. A bookie won't want to be caught out by shrewd punters so it's certainly worth waiting until the sharper end.
The most common reason for the biggest price movers today is the number of bets or amount of money that is going on a selection. If Manchester United are all the rage to win their game at 2/1 with a bookmaker, then they will end up cutting this to 15/8, 7/4 or 8/5. The weight of money going on a team is usually down to other factors including team news.
We often advise readers to wait for team news before placing bets, especially if some of the key players involved are injury doubts. The emergence of team news, sometimes in a manager's press conference, will force the odds to move one way or another. The bookmakers have all the stats and metrics at their disposal and will change the odds according to the availability of players.
How to Use the Market Movers Page
Bear in mind that odds movers do not mean that a betting selection is definitely going to win or lose. Steamers and drifters are highlighted and the former means that there's simply market confidence. While the implied probability is increased, it still doesn't guarantee a win. It's worth weighing up whether the odds are worth taking if they have shortened.
However, a lot of customers will want to get information about picks with the odds shortening. We can highlight these selections so that you are in the know about them. You can see how much the price has changed from the original odds and whether to act on the price change or simply leave it alone.