Why bookmakers model betting behavior, not match probability
1 points
1 hour ago
| 1 comment
| playaiodds.com
| HN
adrienditta
1 hour ago
[-]
Most people think bookmakers try to estimate the true probability of a match and then add a margin.

In practice, their real problem is predicting how people will bet.

A simple coin-flip example shows why:

Even with a 10% overround, if 80% of money lands on one side, the bookmaker becomes exposed to extreme short-term variance. Three consecutive popular outcomes can wipe out the theoretical edge.

The article breaks down:

– why money distribution matters more than probability – how emotional teams distort football markets – why positive expected value does not prevent bankruptcy

Curious how people here see the analogy with market makers in financial markets.

Full breakdown here: https://www.playaiodds.com/en/blog/money-made-on-public-bets

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