Sports Handicappers have been around since the beginning of sports betting. Some of them have helped their clients win a ton of money. Others have left their clients broke. While Hollywood hasn’t quite captured the true nature of the industry (example: Two for the Money), sports handicappers can be a positive impact on any recreational sports bettor.

When deciding to use the advice of a professional sports handicapper, you must first understand exactly what services you will be receiving. Sports handicappers offer betting advice for a specific game, day, week, month or season for a fee. While these handicappers will not win every game they release, the good ones will net a profit over time. It is a long-term investment, not a get-rich-quick tactic.

Next, it is necessary to manage your bankroll correctly. Just because you are using a professional sports handicapper’s advice does not mean you should wager out of your comfort zone. Professional gamblers know that everyone endures losing streaks sooner or later, and thus will only wager about 5% of their bankroll per wager. In other words, never “bet the farm”. If you are a small player who wagers $5 to $50 per game, then paying a handicapper $30 for each selection doesn’t make financial sense.

With the internet boom, the sports handicapping industry has evolved. Instead of 1-900 phone lines and cold calls, sports handicappers now offer their services over the internet, sometimes with some type of guarantee. Some websites only charge you for the picks that are graded as winners. Others will give you make-up plays for losing selections.

Unfortunately, there are also many imposters. Typical handicapper scams include posting false records and up-selling (“I know we gave out a losing play, but we give out our best plays to our top-paying clients!”). Just like any business, you should do your research before handing over your hard-earned cash.

This is where sports monitors come in. Independent sports handicapping monitors like www.HandicapperTracker.com document many sports handicappers’ records and winning streaks. You should avoid handicappers that do not have their plays documented. Anyone can say that they won nine of their last ten NFL games, but only a few people can prove it.

Of course, customers who follow the best sports handicappers can make a huge return on their investment. While the average sports bettor wins less than 50% of the time, professional sports handicappers have seen it all. They can sniff out a bad line or stay away from a trap game. Some follow betting trends, others follow betting systems and some can break down a game based on matchups.

Regardless of style, professional sports handicappers earn a living betting on sports, and are more than willing to let others in on the winning, provided they are compensated. So, do your research and find the handicapper that suits you best!