About BetQL’s Public Data
Explaining what public data is, how we get it and why bettors should use it
What Public Data Is
Public data tells you which side the general public is betting on. It measures the number of bet slips on both sides of a wager. On BetQL, this is signified by “Ticket %.” Let’s start with an example:
In the example above, if the Mavericks (-6.5) have attracted 68% of the tickets and the Bulls (+6.5) has attracted 32%, that means that 68% of public bets are backing Dallas as 6.5-point favorites while 32% are backing Chicago as 6.5-point underdogs.
To be clear, this should not be confused with total money or handle, but rather the percentage of total bets wagered on a particular outcome. Therefore, in the example above, if 100 bets were placed (of any dollar amount), 68 of them backed the Mavericks and 32 of them backed the Bulls.
Why Accessing Public Data Matters
There are several ways you can improve your betting ROI using public data.
Betting against the public is a commonly deployed strategy because novice bettors tend to overreact to news like injuries or suspensions. When do you fade the public? When 70% of public bets are wagered on one side of an outcome, betting on the other side is a proven long-term winning strategy. For example:
The Lakers are playing host to the Clippers and are listed as 5-point favorites. Kawhi Leonard gets ruled out and public bettors react. Heavy action results and 75% of public tickets back the Lakers, who are now 10-point favorites since the line got driven up. The overreaction by the public as a result of the lineup change inflated the line, thus making the Clippers a more valuable bet.
At times, there’s no doubt that universally betting with the public can lead to short-term success. However, it’s not a winning long-term strategy. Remember, sportsbooks are profitable for a reason. The lines that look too good to be true probably are. Therefore, taking a look at where the public is leaning and comparing it to our best bets and sharp data is highly suggested.
Where Our Public Data Comes From
BetQL has proprietary relationships with sportsbook operators that provide this data in exchange for promotional value on the website.
Sport-Specific Public Betting Tutorials
For sport-by-sport public betting advice, click on the links below:
BetQL is every bettor’s go-to destination for live odds, a proven best bets algorithm and sharp betting data in addition to public data.
Watch the following videos to see BetQL's public data in action: