Expert NFL Predictions From Sports Handicapper Paul Bovi
As I mentioned not too long ago, I would be bringing you a series of interviews from the pro handicappers that I had the pleasure of meeting at the VegasInsider.com Sports Handicapping Seminar. And one of the great benefits of meeting with all these fine sports handicappers was getting their take on the upcoming NFL season with expert predictions that we can then pass on to Gambling911.com readers.
To start it off, I had the chance to interview Paul Bovi who sat on the panel and gave his insiders outlook and NFL predictions for the 2009 season. Paul's website can be found at http://www.panoramasports.com/.
JENNY: How was your overall experience at this year's VegasInsider.com Sports Handicapping Seminar?
PAUL: This, like that of past events, was a very positive one. Gaining insight into other handicappers' betting strategies and overall knowledge of the sport of football is an adjunct to my own handicapping endeavors. It's also a pleasure to interact with members of the public as well as my peers at such a fine property like the Red Rock.
JENNY: You spoke on the panel. Can you give our readers an outlook and predictions on what you expect this football season?
PAUL: I have learned to expect the unexpected. There's already some drama playing out in Minnesota and Oakland, which will undoubtedly keep the sports tabloids busy and the talk radio lines humming. As far as predictions go, I look for the Raiders and Jaguars to surprise in the AFC and the Chargers to finally break through while in the NFC it is hard to look past the Giants who have solidified their defense with some key free agency acquisitions.
JENNY: What do you think of Delaware and New Jersey's efforts to legalize sports betting? Will it help your business? Do you see this as the new trend - legalizing sports betting and potentially ONLINE sports betting at the state level?
PAUL: Should the state have the power to enact legalized gambling, it will likely create a free for all effect that could only be exacerbated by an economic downturn that has state governments looking for incremental sources of revenue. When Las Vegas began taking single game bets on NFL games the league was starving for ratings, a far cry from the present day in which professional football has become the dominant sport in terms of viewer popularity which transcends into the current rookie crop commanding contracts upwards of 100 million dollars. In those days, the salaries in the league were so skimpy that many of the NFL's top performers were forced to hold down day jobs, often times working as insurance agents or laborers to make ends meet. Today, the massive advertising dollars and lofty television contracts secured by the NFL as well as most other major sports no longer warrant the leagues to sanction activities that could compromise the integrity of the games. As a result of this, the NFL will counter any attempts to initiate sports betting on the state level by bringing this to a higher court, as they recently did in Delaware which resulted in their successfully blocking a September starting date. To some extent I have to agree with the leagues' stance as the situation has the potential to eventually get out of hand to the point where you can place a sports bet at a supermarket kiosk or a convenience store. Aside from the integrity issue, that will invariably create a new breed of gambler as it did when the lottery craze took hold. My sense is that this would not be beneficial to the league and only create further issues with an American public that can ill afford to find any more ways to be seduced out of their hard earned dollars. If the states do prevail, that new breed of gambler may inspire incremental business for people like myself, but one must ask themselves, at what cost.
JENNY: PanoramaSports.com offers your expertise to the public. As you stated on the site, "I let my record as well as my integrity stand behind what I offer." What is it that sets you apart from the rest?
PAUL: I have a proven record of success of producing a winning percentage, which is something many handicappers cannot claim. Unfortunately, the handicapping business is proliferated with professional marketers as opposed to those that can accurately forecast the result of sporting events. Additionally, I evolved from that of a professional gambler, which I still consider myself, to that of a public handicapper. As such I can empathize with my clientele and the betting public. Taking that a step further, I am ‘on' every game I give out, and before I release it.
JENNY: Have you always been good in math? And how did you become such an expert in totals?
PAUL: Some people gravitate towards numbers, and I am one of those individuals. Math always came very easy to me. My teachers always resented me even up through grad school as I had the uncanny ability to pull top grades without showing up to class. I would consider myself an expert in all aspects of sports betting though I favor totals because the thrill of popping the cork in the 3rd quarter is not a possibility when you bet a side. I look for the best opportunity though I would admit that totals are more within my comfort zone.
JENNY: Is there a lot of competition amongst pro handicappers? Or do you tend to sometimes work together?
PAUL: There is camaraderie amongst the handicappers as there is with many situations that inspire competition, but in the end everybody wants to win and be recognized as being the best in the business. Why should handicapping be any different? That said, there are those handicappers who are open to sharing their knowledge, and those that tend to keep to themselves. Isn't that always the way it is?
JENNY: With more and more information becoming available out there with the internet - do you see more squares trying to pass themselves off as a sharp player?
PAUL: Absolutely, though in fairness, the Internet has allowed those squares who are willing to put the effort in to transcend themselves into sharps. The information is out there. It's only a question of whether one is willing to pay the price.
JENNY: Thanks Paul!
