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Correlation in Sports Betting Explained

Updated: 3 days ago

Here are the basics you need to know:

  • Types of Correlation:
    • : Outcomes align (e.g., a team wins, and their total score is high).
    • : Outcomes conflict (e.g., a team wins, but the total score stays low).
  • Platforms Matter: Peer-to-peer exchanges like BettorEdge offer better odds compared to traditional sportsbooks. On exchanges, users report a 40% chance of profitability, versus 2% on traditional platforms.
  • Strategies for Success:
    • Use data to find patterns in sports like NFL, NBA, and MLB.
    • Bet on correlated parlays wisely, limiting risk to 1-2% of your bankroll.
    • Leverage tools like analytics and community insights on betting platforms.

Betting exchanges like BettorEdge remove the house edge, giving you better odds and more flexibility. By mastering correlation and using these tools, you can build a smarter, data-driven betting strategy.


Understanding Correlation in Sports Betting


Basic Concepts

In sports betting, correlation refers to how the outcomes of different events are connected - where one result can influence another. Understanding these connections can improve your betting strategy. For example, sportsbooks include a commission (often called the "vig") that requires bettors to win at least 52.4% of wagers to break even. On the other hand, peer-to-peer platforms like BettorEdge remove this house edge, offering a more level playing field for bettors.

Now, let's break down the two main types of correlation in sports betting.


Types of Correlation

There are two primary types of correlation in sports betting:

  • Positive Correlation: This happens when two outcomes are likely to align. For instance, if Team A scores more points than expected, the total game score (over/under) is also more likely to be higher. Recognizing these patterns can help you create smarter parlay bets.
  • Negative Correlation: This occurs when the probability of one outcome increases while the other decreases. Spotting negative correlations helps you avoid combining bets that reduce your overall chances of success.

Platforms like BettorEdge take this a step further by integrating social insights and allowing users to set custom odds, giving bettors more tools to refine their strategies compared to traditional sportsbooks.


Finding Correlated Bets


Common Sports Examples

Correlated bets happen when certain game factors influence multiple outcomes. For instance, in NFL games, weather conditions like heavy rain or strong winds can impact both team performance and overall scoring, leading to potential betting correlations. In the NBA, if a star player has an off night, it might affect both the team's total score and the point spread. Similarly, in MLB, the performance of a starting pitcher can align with team scoring trends, especially when facing opponents with specific offensive strengths or weaknesses.

Here’s how you can dig deeper into these correlations and make them work for you.


Analysis Methods

Bettors often rely on these methods to spot and analyze correlations:

  • Historical Data Analysis: Dive into past betting results to find patterns that show consistent profitability, often measured through ROI.
  • Market Movement Monitoring: Watch how betting lines shift to uncover signs of correlated outcomes.
  • Statistical Modeling: Study win/loss trends and score distributions to reveal hidden connections.

Tools like Rithmm can simplify this process by offering analytics and AI models. A betting exchange platform like BettorEdge also provides a transparent environment where you can observe community betting patterns and gain social insights. This added visibility can help uncover correlations that might go unnoticed with traditional sportsbooks.


Using Correlation in Betting


Creating Correlated Parlays

Once you understand correlations, you can apply this knowledge to build smarter parlays. The idea is to find strong connections between different betting markets. For instance, in NFL games, combining a running back's rushing yards over with the team's moneyline can often result in a positive correlation.

Here’s how to approach correlated parlays effectively:

  • Look for primary markets with clear relationships, such as NBA team totals and player props in high-scoring games.
  • Add secondary markets that make logical sense, like pairing MLB strikeout totals with team total unders.

Risk Management

BettorEdge users reportedly see 5-10% more returns per bet, but disciplined risk management is still essential. Here are some tips to keep your strategy on track:

  • Limit wagers on correlated parlays to 1-2% of your bankroll.
  • Use analytics tools to track your win rates across different correlation types.
  • Avoid overloading parlays with too many correlated legs - it increases risk unnecessarily.

These steps help balance the potential rewards while minimizing exposure.


Betting Exchange Benefits

Betting exchanges bring unique perks that can enhance your ability to leverage correlated bets. Their peer-to-peer setup offers several advantages:

Platform Feature

Benefit

No-vig Markets

Get better odds

User-set Lines

Spot mispriced opportunities

Social Insights

Understand community trends

Analytics Tools

Track your performance

These features can improve profitability compared to traditional sportsbooks.


Common Problems and Limits


Sportsbook Restrictions

Traditional sportsbooks often place rules around correlated betting to safeguard their profits. These include tweaking odds or capping wager amounts. Such restrictions can push bettors into making avoidable mistakes.


Frequent Errors

When trying to take advantage of correlated bets, bettors often stumble into these pitfalls:

  • Misjudging the break-even point in standard betting.
  • Skipping proper research on market trends and stats.
  • Overestimating how closely related certain events are.
  • Mismanaging their bankroll, risking their ability to stay in the game long-term.

Platforms like BettorEdge provide a way around these challenges. With clear operations and detailed analytics, they give bettors an alternative to the constraints of traditional sportsbooks.


What Are Correlated Parlays in Sports Betting


Summary

Grasping the concept of correlation is crucial for improving strategies and boosting returns in sports betting. The way different betting outcomes relate to each other directly influences success rates and potential profits. Plus, modern platforms are changing how bettors take advantage of these connections.

Betting exchange users, for example, tend to see higher profitability compared to traditional sportsbook users. Platforms like BettorEdge highlight the growing trend toward peer-to-peer betting, offering users the chance to tap into correlation-focused strategies. One seasoned user shares:

"BettorEdge is flat out the best Betting Platform out there...you aren't betting against 'the house'...you're placing wagers with real people, which cuts out 'the house' completely. Which means you can finally make money betting on sports!"

These platforms also provide detailed performance metrics for major leagues like the NFL, NBA, and MLB. This gives bettors access to historical data and trends, helping them make smarter decisions. The technology has made it easier to spot and act on correlated betting opportunities while managing risks effectively.

The future of correlated betting lies in combining traditional statistical methods with cutting-edge exchange tools. By mastering correlation and using peer-to-peer platforms like BettorEdge, bettors can build strategies with higher profit potential. This approach is shaping more precise, data-driven methods as the betting industry continues to evolve.


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