Sometimes a great team will frustrate sports bettors when they play a lesser team and get blown out. It happens more times than we might actually realize. This may occur for various reasons. Sometimes, it is a specific problem connected to matchups. In other words, it’s not really a fluke; it’s a case of the weaker team having key players in important positions that allow them to dominate their opponent. Occasionally though, the result of a contest is a freak occurrence.
What Happened?
The first question to ask is: Why did the team get crushed? Here are some reasons for a blowout that may not have a negative effect in the next game.
The team may be on the opposite coast on a long road trip or in a hostile road environment. Although we are talking about professional athletes, the truth is that sleeping at home, being in friendly territory, and sitting down to a home-cooked meal can be major factors for a team. Players are naturally more comfortable in familiar surroundings, while the visiting team might struggle in a new place. They may have had an extra-long flight, played the night before in an overtime or extra inning game, or gotten very little sleep.
Situations such as these are usually time-limited. Remember that a good night’s sleeping, traveling back home, and being surrounded by family and friends can be a big boost for players. We tend to forget that professional athletes are human and need those basic comforts that we all enjoy.
Which Team Are They Playing Next?
Are they playing the same team that just beat them, or have they moved onto another team? What does the matchup look like? It is a new day, and sports bettors must always look at this fact. Don’t handicap today’s game by only considering last night’s performance. You must consider how good each team is and not let an unusual performance continue to influence your assessment.
The R-Factor
People have different names for this, but the meaning is the same. The R-Factor, or Revenge Factor, comes into play when a great team has been humiliated by another. That team that has suffered the humiliation now has something to prove, and there’s a good chance that they will try to do so by hammering the next team they meet. That is the R-Factor, and it is potent. See if that may come into play.
Stay in the Present
Sports bettors need to keep their handicapping in the present tense. If a dominant team had an off night, they may simply bounce back in their next game. However, it may take a few games for them to find their balance again. Looking at the reason for the blowout will be a major factor in enabling you to figure out how the team will perform the next time they take to the field, court, or ice. Try to be as logical as possible in determining exactly what happened.