Sports Pick Newsletters
In an act that defies reasoning, I recently signed up for six different newsletters from sports betting handicappers that offer a free daily pick in their newsletters. These pro cappers also offer a variety of ways to buy their picks...the free pick is just a tease...and a way to get your e-mail address so they can send you the daily newsletter. In fact, I am certain that is the only point to them. They exist to advertise their unbelievably good sports betting records (in size 14 bold font), their unbelievably affordable sports pick packages (in size 16 font) and then the free sports pick (in size 10 font) at the bottom of the page.
This must be a proven formula for successfully selling sports picks. At least, I can think of no other reason why they would all do it the same way. Unless they are all using the same newsletter service. I am certain that several of them are from the same company, as the fonts, color schemes, etc. are so similar.
One thing I find particularly amusing is the manipulation of data they all use to make the sports capper look good. They all want to advertise winning records, of course, so they select the data sample that makes them look best. For example:
9-4 over the last 13 picks!!!
I take this to mean that the long term record is not so good.
106-88 over the last 194 picks!!!
I take this to mean the current season is not going very well.
18-10 over the last 28 four-unit picks!!!
(A four-unit pick is one in which the recommendation is to bet four of your betting units.) I take this to mean that overall this capper is losing money.
None of the newsletters mentions the track record of the free daily pick. It makes me wonder what the value of it is. Would you post your best pick daily for free? Or would you retain your best pick for your paying customers? I have started tracking these free picks, and I'll post my findings in a few weeks.