Understanding the Betting Split: A Guide to Public Betting Percentages

10 min read
Sep 20, 2024, 2:35 PM
Author
Sol Fayerman-Hansen
Sol Fayerman-Hansen
Editor-in-Chief
Last Updated: Sep 20, 2024, 2:36 PM

About Public Betting Percentages

Betting on sports is a strategy-driven pursuit that increasingly relies on data. One of the most useful data points for sports bettors is the betting split—a metric that highlights the distribution of bets and money across both sides of a given matchup. By understanding betting percentages and money wagered, bettors can gain an edge in interpreting public betting trends and even uncovering opportunities where professional or “sharp” money is influencing the market.

This guide will explain how public betting percentages work, how they can help improve your betting strategies, and how to avoid common misconceptions. All while emphasizing the importance of responsible gambling.

What Are Betting Percentages?

Betting percentages, also known as betting splits, show the distribution of bets on either side of a sporting event. These splits break down how the public is betting, typically presented as a percentage of the total number of bets placed or the total amount of money wagered on a particular outcome.

For example, in a highly anticipated NFL betting matchup like the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Baltimore Ravens, you might see a betting split that looks like this:

TeamPercentage of Bets PlacedPercentage of Money WageredSharp Money Indicator
Kansas City Chiefs70%45%No
Baltimore Ravens30%55%Yes

This tells you that the majority of bettors, or the general public, are backing the Kansas City Chiefs to win the game. However, the more telling statistic is often where the money percentages lie. Are the larger, more informed bets following the same pattern, or are the bigger bets backing the other side?

Betting percentages can be a useful tool for identifying where the majority of public bets are going, but it’s crucial not to follow them blindly. Overconfidence in public trends can lead to misguided decisions, so always conduct independent research.

Interpreting Betting Splits in Sports Betting

While betting splits provide insight into how the general public is betting, they also reveal important trends in sharp action. This is especially true when the money wagered diverges from the percentage of bets placed. A typical split may look like this:

  • 65% of bets on the Kansas City Chiefs but only 40% of the money.

This is a clear indication that while more people are betting on the Chiefs, larger and more strategic bets (likely from professional or sharp bettors) are going on the Baltimore Ravens. This discrepancy can signal that sharp bettors, who often have deeper insights, are leaning toward the Ravens.

When interpreting these splits, it’s crucial to understand what this means for today's matchups. If the public overwhelmingly supports one team but sharp action favors the other, it may provide an opportunity to bet with the professionals rather than following the herd.

Example:

In an NFL matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and Seattle Seahawks, 75% of public bets may back the Chiefs, but only 40% of the total money could be wagered on them. This indicates that sharp bettors are likely placing more substantial bets on the Seahawks, possibly due to deeper analysis of the matchup or insider information.

Responsible Gambling Tip
Following sharp money can sometimes give you an advantage, but remember, even professionals don’t always win. Betting responsibly means setting limits and avoiding betting more than you can afford to lose, regardless of where the smart money is going.

Team Total Betting Strategies

The Role of Money Wagered in Betting Splits

The amount of money wagered in relation to the number of bets is a key element of betting splits. Sometimes, a majority of bets might be placed on one team, but the majority of money is placed on another. This suggests that while the general public is favoring one side, more informed and larger bets are backing the other side.

Example:

If 80% of bets are on the Baltimore Ravens, but 60% of the money is on the Kansas City Chiefs, it means more money is being placed on the Chiefs despite the majority of smaller bets favoring the Ravens. This may suggest that bettors with more insight or information are favoring the Chiefs to win or cover the spread. DraftKings Sportsbook and other sportsbooks often adjust their lines based on these splits to balance action on both sides.

Value Betting:

Using betting splits wisely can give you an advantage when it comes to finding value bets. When the general public strongly backs one side, sportsbooks often move the line to entice more betting on the other side. This can create a scenario where the team receiving less action becomes a value bet with more favorable odds.

Larger bets placed by sharps can often reveal more about the true probability of a team's success than the volume of bets placed by the public. But don’t assume that larger bets are always smarter. Always assess the matchup, team injuries, and other factors before deciding.

Limitations and Misconceptions About Betting Splits

One of the biggest misconceptions surrounding betting splits is that the general public is always wrong. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that betting against the majority will always lead to success. However, this is far from true.

Reality vs. Assumption:

While the public tends to bet based on emotional factors like team loyalty or recent news stories, it doesn’t mean they’re always wrong. In fact, sometimes the public backs the obvious choice, and it pays off. Oddsmakers adjust the line to ensure balance in the wagering market, but public money does win occasionally.

Additionally, betting splits don't reveal everything. They tell you where the action is but not why it’s happening. Factors like last-minute injuries, weather conditions, or even off-the-field issues can sway both public and sharp bettors, making it crucial to look beyond the splits and analyze the bigger picture.

Remember, no single tool in sports betting, including betting splits, can guarantee success. Betting should always be done with caution, and responsible gambling should always be a top priority.

Applying Betting Splits to Your Betting Strategy

So how can you use betting splits to enhance your betting strategies? Here are several ways to apply this information to improve your outcomes:

  1. Find Sharp Money: Compare the percentage of bets to the percentage of money wagered. When there’s a noticeable difference, it could signal an opportunity to bet with the sharps. For example, if sharp money is going to one team while the public favors another, you might want to follow the sharps.
  2. Use Betting Splits in Context: Don’t rely solely on betting splits. Pair this information with a thorough analysis of the game, team performance, injuries, and weather conditions. For example, in an NFL game with the Baltimore Ravens playing against the Kansas City Chiefs, knowing that the Ravens’ star quarterback is out could drastically change the value of the betting splits.
  3. Fade the Public Smartly: Betting against the public, also known as fading, can offer value when the line moves in response to a large volume of public action. But don’t assume this strategy will always work. Use it only when there’s compelling data or professional insight to back it up.
  4. Apply to Future Events: Betting splits aren’t just for today's matchups. You can also use them for future events, like the Super Bowl, where betting markets remain active long before the event takes place. Watching how public betting trends evolve over time can help you place more informed bets.
It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of betting, especially when you feel like you have an edge. But remember, even the best bettors lose. Stick to a responsible gambling plan by setting limits and only wagering money you can afford to lose.

Maximizing the Value of Betting Percentages

Betting splits and money percentages provide critical insight into the behavior of the general public and sharp bettors alike. While this information can help you make more informed betting decisions, it’s not foolproof. Remember to use all the tools at your disposal, such as injury reports, team statistics, and matchup analyses, before placing a bet.

To truly maximize the value of betting splits, use them in combination with data and research, rather than treating them as a silver bullet. And, most importantly, always practice responsible gambling. The allure of large payouts from strategic betting can be strong, but the reality is that gambling is risky, and there’s no such thing as a guaranteed win.

If you find that betting is no longer fun or starts to feel like an obligation, reach out for help. Many responsible gambling organizations offer resources and support to ensure that betting remains a recreational activity rather than a harmful habit.

<p>With 20+ years of writing experience across sports, gambling, regulation, technology, and startups, Sol brings a broad understanding to his role as Editor-in-Chief at RG. His work provides clear, factual information to help readers make informed decisions about gambling. Sol’s approach is about transparency and research, so the content at RG is straightforward, evidence-based, and accessible.</p><p>At RG, Sol keeps the focus on the reader by maintaining a standard of reliability and integrity in the information shared. Under his editorial direction, RG aims to provide practical insights into sports and sports entertainment that support a balanced and informed approach. Sol’s approach has helped RG become a go-to source for readers looking to engage responsibly and thoughtfully in the industry.</p>
Interests:
NFL
CFL
NBA
MLB
NHL
ATP
UEFA
NCAA Baseball
PGA
Wimbledon
UFC
Digital Art
Art Collecting
Publishing Books
Advanced Technology

Meet our Authors

Paruyr Shahbazyan started his business career as an entrepreneur in 2000. Over 13 years, he learned business and leadership, which laid the foundation for his career.

In 2013, Paruyr entered the sports and betting industry as the founder and president of Bookmaker Rating, an online media platform he led until 2020. The platform focuses on in-depth analysis and insights in sports betting and has gained a reputation for quality content.

In 2022, Paruyr co-founded Azuro, a decentralized betting protocol. This shows his commitment to technology in the sports betting space. Through all these experiences, Paruyr has been shaping and influencing the betting industry, setting new trends and standards.

Innovation in sportsbetting comes from a deep understanding of both technology and the human element of sports.

Strategic Vision

Paruyr's vision is to revolutionize the sports entertainment industry by integrating technology. He sees the future of sports entertainment as a blend of traditional sports knowledge with innovative tech solutions, like decentralized protocols, to enhance user experience and fairness. He aims to create platforms that are not only user-friendly but also uphold the highest standards of ethical reporting, contributing to a more responsible and enjoyable sports culture.

Sol Fayerman-Hansen
Sol Fayerman-Hansen
Editor-in-Chief

With 20+ years of writing experience across sports, gambling, regulation, technology, and startups, Sol brings a broad understanding to his role as Editor-in-Chief at RG. His work provides clear, factual information to help readers make informed decisions about gambling. Sol’s approach is about transparency and research, so the content at RG is straightforward, evidence-based, and accessible.

At RG, Sol keeps the focus on the reader by maintaining a standard of reliability and integrity in the information shared. Under his editorial direction, RG aims to provide practical insights into sports and sports entertainment that support a balanced and informed approach. Sol’s approach has helped RG become a go-to source for readers looking to engage responsibly and thoughtfully in the industry.

Cristina Varela Galan
Cristina Varela Galan
Problem Gambling Expert

Cristina used to work as a Psychology Assistant in the Bizkaia Pathological and Risky Gamblers Association. She was also part of a research team in Deusto University, specializing in pathological gambling area. While working there, she managed to develop her own project 

 “Exploring the association between emotional regulation, alexithymia, stressful life events and gambling in adolescent and young adult women”.

Nick Ashbourne
Nick Ashbourne
Senior Writer

Nick has been fascinated with sports since he was first taken to a Toronto Maple Leafs game in 1998, and he's been writing about them professionally since 2014.

Nick has covered baseball and hockey for outlets like The Athletic, Sportsnet, and Yahoo Sports while growing his expertise in sports data analysis and research. 

Between 2022 and 2023, he worked for a betting startup called NorthStar Bets. In 2024, he contributed to Oddspedia before joining the RG team.

Sergey Demidov
Sergey Demidov
Head of News Department

Sergey has been in sports journalism since 2007 as a reporter, editor, and manager. He has covered the Olympic Games, soccer World Cups, the World Cup of Hockey in 2016, the European championships, the Stanley Cup Finals, IOC events, and many others. Sergey interviewed the sport's greatest athletes, coaches, and executives. Since 2016, he has been an Independent Senior Editor of NHL.com/ru.

Anna Kravtcova
Anna Kravtcova
Problem Gambling Expert

Ph.D. in organizational psychology, an internationally certified psychologist (EuroPsy 2022, Cognitive behavioural therapy of mindfulness 2020, International Society for Emotional Intelligence 2017, Russian Psychological society 2014, American Psychological Association(Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychologist) 2011), speaker of many international conferences (USA, Brazil, Portugal, Czech Republic, Russia, etc.). TEDx speaker.

Show More