Public Money
The term public money, sometimes known as "square money,” refers to bets placed by casual or recreational bettors rather than professional or sharp bettors. These bettors are often influenced by popular opinion, media coverage, or a team's recent performance, rather than in-depth analysis or statistical models.
Public money tends to favor the popular teams, well-known players, or teams with a large fan base. As a result, sportsbooks often adjust the odds or point spreads to balance the action between both sides of a bet.
The concept of public money is crucial in understanding line movements. If a significant percentage of bets are coming in on one side of a game, the sportsbook may adjust the odds to entice more betting on the other side, thereby reducing their potential liability.
While public money can lead to inflated lines or favorable odds for betting against popular teams, it's essential to remember that sportsbooks are still highly knowledgeable and set their initial lines based on careful analysis and data.
Understanding public money and how it influences betting trends can help bettors make informed decisions and identify potential value opportunities in the market.