5. Got Courage? Most bettors don't have courage to go with certain underdogs. They see a (perceived) good team versus a (perceived) bad team and assume it won't be a contest. They have formed an opinion about how horrible some teams are based on a recent blowout or past personal gambling loss. Again, with right combination of statistical and situational research, some undervalued dogs can be spotted each week. There are also certain situations in which bad teams have historically and reliably outperformed their average. Match that with a historically-proven situation in which favorites under-perform and you have yourself a reliable upset scenario.

6. The Point-spread Matters Less than You Think Historically, point-spread matters in NFL only about 16% of time. In other words, 84% of time, team that covers spread also wins. With this knowledge, if you have underdogs that you really like (based on right research, not a hunch), you can take them to win straight-up (money line), collecting anywhere from 1.2 to 4 times your original bet. Usually a three-point dog will pay around 140 for 100 for a straight-up win versus 100 for 110 wagered on a regular spread-based pick. Seven point underdogs pay around 250 for 100 for a straight-up win.

What It All Means Obviously just playing all underdogs is not answer (that would yield you approximately 50% wins and a negative account balance). However, with right research, you can spot some very high-value underdog winners each week.

The Wunderdog has been handicapping NFL games for over 15 years and specializes in picking underdogs (with the occasional underrated favorite). He publishes a free weekly newsletter, available on his website, with an underdog pick each week of the NFL season.

Obviously, we cannot mention Ashe without getting into Tennis and Williams sisters. Venus was first to spring forward and start winning on WTA tour. She even bested her sister when they first played against each other. However, after dominated in pairs together, Serena came into her own, beat her sister and took number 1 ranking. Both Serena Williams and Tiger Woods at one point won four majors in a row in their respective sports, but neither are recognized as they did not happen in a calendar year. While both Venus and Serena have faced injuries (Venus more so), it is more their concentration to other business ventures that may be accounting for their poor showing over last 2 years.

In baseball, black American is in shorter and shorter demand. They are temper mental, arrogant, and self-centered (Hello Barry Bonds, Milton Bradley). In football, they cannot seem to guide their team to a championship. Black people today seem to be attracted to BLING BLING, to SHOWTIME and HIGHLIGHT REELS. They make cell-phone calls after touchdowns, fight with their teammates in dugouts, or fans in their seats. They would rather push through two defenders than hit their teammate for an open shot. There may be no “I” in team, but there is apparently no $ in unselfish. Magic Johnson played all 5 positions. Michael Jordan passed to Steve Kerr to win a championship. Warren Moon played in CFL!! This is not a Bill Cosby cheap shot, this is a warning. Get your game together, or face getting played out by people that put team ahead of points.