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One thing that you will want to look for is whether or not sports handicapping services have their picks listed by a sports monitoring service. This is a pretty good indication about how different sports handicapping services feel about their own picks. If you have difficulty finding them, then they might not be worth the risk. You will be spending some money for the information that they provide you and you want to make sure that it is well spent.

You might want to look for some kind of a guarantee. Many of these services will include a guarantee that you can have your fees refunded to you if your free sports picks and up being particularly bad. This might be an indicator of a reputable sports handicapping service and it is great to get your money refunded to you but remember that you will not get your lost bets back so it is better to be careful right at the outset.

One of the red flags that you should look for when it comes to sports handicapping services is the percentage that they advertise. It is reasonable to expect that a good service should have a success rate of somewhere around 55 to 60%, particularly when it comes to something like football. If they are telling you that they can get somewhere between 70 and 80% of their sports picks correct then you should be rather suspect. Even the best sports analysts that have played the game and have talked to the players and coaches do not have a success rate like that so if they tell you they can win that much you should probably proceed with caution.

Try to look for sports handicapping services that have a proven record over more than one season. There are always seasons in which the favored team almost always wins and the underdogs never score an upset. In these types of seasons all sports handicapping services are going to look outstanding in their winning percentages. It is important to consider the overall correct predictions across several seasons. Some of the really well-run, well-connected and highly-researched types of services can offer a very competitive winning percentage, which is really incredible when you think about it.

Websites and online sports handicapping services are great for easy access to information. These sites are, of course, up and running 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, allowing you to stay up to date with injury reports, weather conditions, statistics on players and teams and even what the Vegas betting trends are. Not only can this information be helpful to you, but it also shows that the information that the service is using is as timely as it can possibly be. Websites are also ideal since they can be accessed from anywhere that you have an Internet connection. With new wireless cell phone options, online access has never been easier, no matter where you may be stuck in traffic. Getting information when you are on the go can give you that extra edge when you are ready to place your wager.

Look for sports handicapping services that provide information on their websites. A few top of the line services offer free newsletters and perhaps even the option of a free pick to help you determine if you want to sign up for regular picks. Typically packages that may include weekly, monthly or season picks are part of the handicapping service, and individual game picks are also typically offered. Trying out a few of the day picks can allow you to become familiar with the site and the services before committing to a full season. Season packages are usually discounted over each individual game pick price, actually saving you money over the season.

If you find one of the few really great online sports handicapping services, you will also be privy to information that simply cannot be found anywhere else. This may include information on coaching styles or even issues between players that may affect the team. This type of info not only will help you in placing your bet, but it also allows you to have the edge over others who simply don't have the resources to do this type of research.