Best US Sports Tipsters | Top American Handicappers 2024

Since the US Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act in 2018, it paved the way for a significant expansion in the realm of sports betting, encompassing nearly an entire continent of enthusiasts. This shift has sparked more interest in American sports betting sites and, consequently, in US sports tipsters, commonly referred to as “sports handicappers.”

However, it should be noted that a significant portion of US betting has historically operated underground, on the down-low. This begs the question: where can one find the most reputable US sports tipsters? Who are the top US sports handicappers?

The following list features proofed tipsters specialising in popular American sports.

Best Tipsters For US Sports

Ratings Explained

I evaluate US Sports tipsters based on individual sports rather than a mix of sports. The key reason behind this approach is to accurately pinpoint and advocate for tipsters based on their areas of expertise.

For instance, if a multi-sport tipster excels in a particular sport like NFL, the inclusion of other sports in their lineup could overshadow their exceptional performance in that specific area. By separating sports, the tipster’s standout strengths and weaknesses are highlighted, helping users to make better-informed tipster choices based on specialised skills.

Exploring US Sports Betting & Picks

Despite the recent legalisation of online betting in the US, tipsters, often referred to as “handicappers” or “cappers,” have long been a fixture. Like traditional tipsters from Europe, they analyse sporting events to gain an edge over the profit margin, or “juice,” integrated into sports betting odds.

The US betting markets offer significant opportunities, featuring a wide range of sports and leagues. Moreover, many of these markets are less saturated compared to their highly competitive European counterparts, such as Premier League match odds (1×2) and other popular football (soccer) betting markets.

However, it’s crucial to recognise that no tipster can guarantee success in any market. There are always potential risks associated with relying on picks from tipsters/handicappers — including fake or bloated profit records, and variance in betting results.

So, despite the allure of high profits, not everything is as promising as it may seem. To learn more, check out: Can Sports Tipsters Be Trusted?

Finding Value Is Key

The fundamental principle for succeeding at betting on American sports mirrors that of any other sport. This principle, though straightforward, is often overlooked:

To profit from sports betting, you must possess an advantage, also referred to as an “edge.” This advantage is attained by consistently betting on value odds.

By wagering on value odds across a substantial number of bets, you will ultimately yield a positive return on investment (ROI).

However, despite its simplicity, this crucial message often eludes many bettors, regardless of their experience level. Even seasoned bettors from gambling-friendly European countries frequently fall into the trap of attempting to predict winners for every event without considering the odds taken; an approach that leads to losses in the long term.

So it’s crucial to find tipsters/cappers that fully comprehend the basics of sports betting profitability.

US vs European Tipsters

Leading on from the previous section, there are notable differences between tipsters operating in the more developed European online betting market, to those in the USA.

Proofing Services

Both Europe and the US offer third-party services designed to monitor the odds and profit achieved by bets advised by tipsters. While legitimate services exist in both regions, there are question marks surrounding the legitimacy and integrity of many US-based verification sites.

Platforms like PrecisionPicks, SportInvestorCentral, and VerifiedCappers have garnered mixed reviews, with some users reporting that these services:

• Display fake ‘handicapper profiles’.
• Are affiliated with a broader network of comparable sites.
• Include links to external sites supposedly ‘vetting’ them as a premium user — despite being hosted from the same location/IP address.

While I haven’t personally verified these allegations, exercising caution is advisable.

Find legitimate tipster verification services.

Sports Offered

The US market is passionate for various sports, particularly those native to the country. American Football (NFL), Basketball, and Baseball reign supreme in terms of TV viewership and revenue generation across North America. Consequently, it’s normal for US tipsters to focus their efforts on one or more of these sports.

In contrast, European tipsters typically concentrate on popular local sports. Betting on horse racing and following rcing tips is a beloved pastime in the UK & Ireland, while football (soccer) is immensely popular throughout the continent. Although sports like rugby, tennis, cricket, and darts also receive attention, they are tipped to a lesser extent.

Unfortunately, American sports tips seldom take center stage in well-established European tipster services. This stands as one of the major drawbacks when considering predominantly Euro-centric tipster services.

Professionalism

Many US tipster services often lack the professionalism expected from a paid service.

These platforms are often cluttered with flashing banners, intrusive pop-ups, and excessive sales pitches, accompanied by images portraying lavish wealth and overly positive “reviews” that may not be entirely genuine.

While European tipster sites may exhibit similar attributes, the sector has undergone significant evolution over time. Many European services now prioritise transparency and professionalism. This shift can be attributed to several factors:

• Familiarity with Betting Scams: European punters have grown accustomed to encountering various betting scams. Consequently, they are more resistant to certain sales tactics commonly employed in the US.
• Regulatory Measures: European bookmakers are obligated to monitor their affiliates closely. This oversight helps curb unethical practices, such as affiliates posing as tipsters to exploit bettors.
• Increased Scrutiny: European tipster services face heightened scrutiny from both industry watchdogs and vigilant individuals on platforms like Twitter. This scrutiny ensures that dishonest practices are exposed promptly, leading to improved accountability within the sector.

While the US tipster industry may currently lag behind its European counterpart, there is potential for it to catch up over time. As awareness grows and regulatory measures are implemented, US tipster services may evolve to meet higher standards of professionalism and transparency.

Cost

The pricing of European tipsters compared to their US counterparts is significant.

In Europe, the majority of tipster services are reasonably priced, typically ranging from $0 to $50 per month. In stark contrast, many US tipster services command exorbitant prices, often reaching hundreds of dollars per month. This vast disparity in pricing raises concerns.

To illustrate, let’s consider a scenario where an individual invests $200 in a US tipster service per month, expecting a 15% ROI (which is considered exceptional). In this case, they would need to risk $1,333.33 just to break even. Clearly, this is not a great prospect for potential subscribers.

Considering I’ve taken a best-case ROI, it’s truly a wonder than such expensive US tipsters find business. However, I believe that over time, once more competition arrives to the online scene, tipster subscription prices will eventually trend downwards.

The available professional services are notably more competitively priced in Europe compared to the US.

Converting European Odds to Moneyline

If you’ve reached this point in my article, you might be wondering: “How can I follow European tipster services if I’m accustomed to US odds? And how do I convert Euro or UK odds to Moneyline?”

That’s a valid question. Converting odds to the US format can be crucial to ensure you can compare the quoted prices with those available on US betting sites.

There are two methods to convert the odds to your preferred format…

1. Use an Online Calculator

You can easily convert European (decimal) or UK (fractional) odds to Moneyline (and vice versa) using an online calculator.

I recommend using the odds converter on this site.

2. Do it Manually

You can also convert American Odds into percentages yourself. This is a useful exercise because it gives a break-even % that you need to achieve long-term to win.

The most common odds in US sports are -110. To earn from your bets at these odds, you’ll need to win often enough that you turn 110 into 210 to overcome the “juice” (or “overround” as we call it in the UK).

Example 1: -110

You take $110 risked, and divide it by the ultimate $210 payout if you win, to get: .5238 or 52.38%.

• You must win at least 52.38% of your bets at -110 to break even.
• Dividing .5238 by 1 gives the Euro odds equivalent of 1.90

Example 2: +200

Now let’s say you have a +200 underdog. You take $100 risked and divide by the ultimate $300 payout if you win, and get .3333, or 33.33%.

• You must win 34%+ of the time to be profitable.
• Dividing .333 by 1 gives the Euro odds equivalent of 3.0

Also see my post: How to Convert Betting Odds Between Formats.

In the future there will be many more UK/European bookmakers offering their services to the US. So converting the odds will be become much less of an inconvenience.

Want to Learn More About Tipsters?

To learn more about the risks and rewards in using tipsters, check out my articles:

• Will Tipsters Make Me Money?
• Twitter Tipsters — Do They Want You To Lose?
• Best Tipster Proofing Sites

Be sure to check out our basketball, american football and ice hockey betting guides for essential insights and tips.

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Toby @ Punter2Pro

Toby is the creator & writer of Punter2Pro. Drawing on his experience in developing value bet finders, Betfair bots, and other professional betting tools, he provides honest advice to help improve your approach to sports betting and safely navigate the murky waters of the online gambling world.

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