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No matter how long you’ve been ingrained in the sports betting scene, you’ve likely heard of computer picks. This has become an especially hot topic with the rise of AI. Because computers rely on algorithms rather than emotions, the thought is that they can be an excellent tool to help sports bettors make more logical decisions.
Computer picks won’t predict winners every single time, and they shouldn’t be followed blindly. However, when combined with a sports bettor’s knowledge of the game, they can be a great resource.
Below, we’ll take a closer look at what computer picks are, how they work, and the best ways to use them to your advantage.
What Are Computer Picks?
In short, computer picks are sports betting predictions made by an algorithm. These algorithms vary depending on the source, but they’re usually based heavily on statistics and team history. OddsTrader’s computer picks take these factors into account before running thousands of simulations and determining what the best available bet is.
Our computer picks also consider betting odds from the top online sportsbooks, ensuring that you get the best price on every recommendation.
Types of Computer Picks
The vast majority of computer picks are for the most common sports bets: moneylines, spreads, and totals. On top of being sought after, these are fairly straightforward predictions for the computer to make.
Additionally, OddsTrader offers free computer picks for game props and player props, which is great for bettors looking to expand their repertoire. Easily find suggestions for player over/unders, team totals, and more.
Sports with Computer Picks
Computer picks are available for some of the most popular sports, including:
- NFL
- College Football
- NBA
- College Basketball
- MLB
- NHL
You can quickly find information about each pick by tapping on the matchup. We provide a consensus line, projection, cover probability, season-long cover percentage, bet rating (out of five stars), and your expected value if you choose to make the bet.
How do Computer Picks Work?
A large number of factors go into creating computer picks, but above all, ours are based in historical data. The quality and quantity of that data plays a big role in determining success, which is why we provided as much data as possible for our simulations.
You can see some of that historical data, too: On any of our picks pages, you can tap the calendar icon and travel back as far as the 2015 season to see betting odds and predictions.
In short, our computers take all of this information and run thousands of simulations for each game. The most common outcome of those simulations is the pick that gets suggested.
How to Use Computer Picks
As is the case with any sports betting decision, computer picks should be used as part of a larger strategy. You’ll find the most value in using computer picks in conjuncture with your own knowledge, research, and understanding of different sports.
For example, if you watch one team all the time, you might be able to pick up on patterns that certain players exhibit at various times or against different opponents. That knowledge might help you make smarter betting picks.
Keeping a close eye on the injury report is another key factor, especially for NBA games. Players are often scratched from the rotation in the minutes leading up to tip-off. If you can anticipate when that might happen, you’ll have a definitive edge that computer picks might not be able to account for.
Pros and Cons of Computer Picks
Computer picks have their strengths and weaknesses. See the list below for a breakdown of how they can benefit your betting strategy, as well as some negatives to keep in mind.
Pros
- Based on thousands of computer simulations
- Free from bias
- Can be helpful for sports you don’t follow as closely
- Can quickly make adjustments
Cons
- Can’t always adjust for injuries or absences
- Weather factors are difficult to quantify
- Unable to simulate for human factors, like win streaks or adversity
Try Different Sportsbooks with Computer Picks
On top of making top-rated picks, OddsTrader will also identify the best odds available on its predicted outcome. However, those odds may not always be at a sportsbook you use.
It’s important to try different sportsbooks so that you can take advantage of different bonuses and ensure you always get the best price on every bet. Check out our list of the best international sportsbooks serving the United States.
