What is +EV Betting? How Sharp Bettors Beat the Sportsbooks

If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s truly possible to make money betting on sports consistently, you’re not alone. Most people think the house always wins. But what if I told you there’s a way to place bets that have a mathematical edge—just like a casino does?

It’s called +EV betting (short for “positive expected value”), and it’s the same method professional bettors use to stack long-term profits. And thanks to tools like OddsJam, it’s never been easier to find these profitable opportunities—even if you’re a total beginner.

Let’s break down what it means, how it works, and how you can use it to finally make data-backed sports bets.

The Core Premise: Bet When You Have an Edge

Imagine flipping a coin with a friend.
You both know it’s 50/50. If you bet $100 to win $100 on heads, that’s fair.
But what if your friend offered you $110 for your $100 every time it landed on heads?
Suddenly, you’d be printing money over the long run—because the odds are still 50/50, but your payout is better.

That’s +EV betting in a nutshell.

You find places where the odds offered by a sportsbook are better than what the true odds should be. Then, over time, you profit because the math is in your favor.

So What Are “True Odds”?

Great question. When we talk about the true odds, we’re referring to the most accurate estimation of a fair outcome, with no fees, juice, or margin built in by the sportsbook.

But sportsbooks don’t give you fair odds. They build in a vig (short for vigorish or margin), which is how they profit. It’s like the fee a casino takes.

Let’s look at a simple example:

  • FanDuel offers:
    • Team A: -110
    • Team B: -110

That means you have to bet $110 to win $100, on either side.
So if the true odds are 50/50 (like a fair coin toss), you’re losing over time because you’re paying that -110 tax.

How +EV Bettors Use No-Vig Odds

Here’s where the magic happens.

OddsJam scans hundreds of sportsbooks and lines in real time. It compares the odds across platforms and calculates what the “no-vig” odds would be by removing the sportsbook’s built-in edge.

For example:

  • Let’s say the market is:
    • Team A: -110
    • Team B: -110
  • The no-vig fair odds would be +100 on both sides (since the game is 50/50).

Now, imagine another sportsbook is offering +105 on Team A.

Boom. That’s a +EV bet—because you’re getting better than fair odds.

OddsJam highlights these moments, shows the % edge you have, and helps you bet like a quant with zero guesswork.

A Metaphor That Helps

Think of sportsbooks like gas stations.
Most of the time, all the stations offer similar prices.
But every once in a while, one station posts the wrong price—way cheaper than it should be.

OddsJam is the app that tells you which station is undercharging—and lets you fill up before they correct it.

That’s what you’re doing with +EV bets.
You’re “buying” a bet for less than it’s worth—and profiting when the long-term math plays out.

“But What If the Bet Loses?”

That’s where most people misunderstand +EV betting. It’s not about winning every bet—it’s about beating the probabilities over time.

Let’s say you place 100 bets with a +5% edge. You may win 45 and lose 55.
But because you were betting when the odds were in your favor, your bankroll will grow even if you lose slightly more bets than you win.

It’s not about gambling. It’s about exploiting inefficient pricing—like a trader in the stock market.

Recap: Why +EV Betting Works

  • Sportsbooks build in profit margins (the vig)
  • But sometimes, their lines disagree
  • These disagreements create inefficiencies
  • When a sportsbook offers better than fair odds, you get an edge
  • OddsJam helps you find those edges—automatically

Want to Try It Yourself?

You don’t need to be a math genius or a sports expert to get started.
OddsJam does all the scanning, comparing, and calculating for you.

Here’s how to begin:

  1. Sign up for OddsJam (they have a Free Trial)
  2. Connect your sportsbooks
  3. Let the system show you real-time +EV bets
  4. OddsJam One-Click Bet opens a new tab linked right in the online sportsbook with the exact bet opened, and tells you the amount to place
  5. Watch your edge work in the long run

It’s one of the most powerful ways to treat sports betting like a side hustle—not a gamble.

Final Word

Most bettors lose money because they chase gut feelings or pick their favorite teams.
+EV betting flips the game. It’s not about fandom—it’s about math, discipline, and smart tools.

If you want to take your betting to the next level, or just build a reliable side hustle, click here to try OddsJam and start making bets that actually have value.

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