Skip to content
Categories Betting 101

Common Myths About +EV Betting

Updated May 1, 2025 | 1:51 pm CDT by Sam Smith

In the world of sports betting, one term that gets thrown around frequently is +EV betting is rooted in mathematics and logic, there are still many misconceptions surrounding it. In this article, along with dispelling general sports betting myths, we’ll debunk some of the most common myths about +EV betting and explain the real truth.

Sports Betting Myths: Common Myths About +EV Betting

Portfolio EV helps you grow your bankroll and maximize long-term profits with ease. Start unlocking more Portfolio Betting page to get started!


Myth 1: +EV Betting is Just Gambling

One of the biggest misconceptions about +EV betting is that it’s no different from traditional gambling. Many view sports betting as a game of chance where luck is the determining factor. This belief comes from the way betting is often portrayed in the media, with winners shown as lucky individuals who hit big on a longshot.

In reality, +EV betting is rooted in mathematical principles, not luck. The term +EV refers to bets that have a positive expected value, meaning that over time they’re likely to be profitable. While there’s still variance (i.e., the chance of losing a bet in the short term), +EV betting focuses on making informed decisions based on data and probabilities, which consistently beat the sportsbook’s odds in the long run.

Sports betting is a skill game, not a game of pure chance. By applying the correct strategy, bettors can maximize the value of their wagers and exploit Portfolio EV comes in, helping bettors spot positive expected value opportunities and systematically build a profitable betting portfolio.

Myth 2: You Always Win with +EV Bets

Another common myth is the belief that if you’re betting on +EV plays, you’re guaranteed to win. This myth is especially prevalent among those who may be new to sports betting or just starting to understand the idea of expected value.

The core of this misconception lies in the misunderstanding of the variance in sports betting. Even with a +EV bet, there’s no guarantee of a win. +EV betting simply means that, over a large sample size, the bet will yield a positive return. In the short term, there will always be fluctuations, and even +EV bets can lose in the short run due to variance.

Sports betting is a long-term grind. Just because a bet is positive in expected value does not mean it will win every time. Variance is an inherent part of sports betting. However, consistently betting on +EV plays over time will likely result in profitability, even if some individual bets don’t go your way.

This is where Portfolio EV’s tools come in handy: They allow bettors to track and manage their bets across different sportsbooks and bet types, helping mitigate risk and take advantage of +EV opportunities more systematically.

Myth 3: You Can Make a Fortune from +EV Bets Right Away

While it’s certainly possible to make money with +EV bets, it’s important to that success in betting doesn’t happen overnight. Building a profitable sports betting strategy requires time, discipline and patience.

While +EV betting improves your chances of profitability, it is not a get-rich-quick scheme. Successful sports betting is about making sound decisions consistently and leveraging data over a long period. Even the sharpest bettors can experience losing streaks because of variance. It’s not about hitting a big win on one bet; it’s about making strategically profitable decisions over time.

The theory behind Portfolio EV emphasizes diversification. Just like a well-balanced investment portfolio, a good betting portfolio should include a variety of +EV bets, ensuring that losses in one area are offset by gains in another. By spreading your bets across different opportunities, you can build a more resilient strategy that is more likely to yield long-term success.


Get Portfolio EV for FREE! Just follow these easy steps to gain access to the best sports betting tools:

  • Choose a Partner: Sign up through one of our partner registration offers.
  • Deposit & Bet: Fund your and place your first bet or pick’em entry.
  • Capture Screenshots: Snap a screenshot of your welcome email and your first settled bet.
  • Claim Your Picks: Email your screenshots to @oddsshopper.com, and we’ll send you your free picks!

It’s that simple! Get rid of the sports betting myths! Enjoy a free month of Portfolio EV!


Myth 4: You Can Spot +EV Bets by Gut Feel or Luck

Some bettors believe that +EV bets can be identified with a good “gut feeling” or that they can predict outcomes based on intuition. While this may work in the short term for some people, relying on intuition alone is not a sustainable or profitable strategy in the long run.

Positive EV betting is based on data analysis, not gut feel. To truly identify +EV opportunities, you need to understand the odds, probabilities and how they align with the sportsbook’s lines. Sharp bettors make decisions based on objective analysis, not subjective hunches. It’s about finding inefficiencies in the market and taking advantage of them.

Portfolio EV provides powerful tools that help bettors analyze odds across different sportsbooks, enabling them to find the best possible bets based on their projected probabilities. By continuously tracking bets and using data-driven decision-making, bettors can systematically increase their chances of long-term profitability.

The Truth About +EV Sports Betting

In summary, there are several misconceptions about +EV betting that can mislead new bettors. Here are the key takeaways:

  • +EV betting is not just gambling — it’s based on data, math, and strategy.
  • +EV bets are not guaranteed wins — variance exists, and short-term results can fluctuate.
  • +EV betting is a long-term strategy, requiring discipline, patience, and consistent data analysis.
  • Intuition is not the best way to find +EV bets — data-driven tools like Portfolio EV are crucial for identifying profitable opportunities.

By understanding the truth behind +EV sports betting, bettors can approach it with the right mindset, avoiding the common pitfalls that lead to frustration. Whether you’re just starting or you’re looking to refine your betting strategy, +EV betting is a powerful tool — but it’s important to that long-term profitability requires both patience and strategy.

React App
Categories Betting 101
How Parlay Bets Work: Risks and Rewards of Parlay Betting
The Best Online Sportsbooks for Beginners
Sam Smith

Author

Sam Smith

Sam Smith is a writer and editor with Stokastic and OddsShopper. He has been immersed in the world of professional sports data since 2015 while also writing extensively on the NFL for a multitude of blogs and websites. With OddsShopper, Sam looks to blend his sports and editorial expertise with OddsShopper's data to bring you the best betting information possible.

Next Story

Why the Sportsbooks Hate You When You Actually Start Winning

Trending & Related

Betting 101

Why the Sportsbooks Hate You When You Actually Start Winning

What is Portfolio EV? Guide to +EV Sports Betting

Sports Betting Software Showdown: Which Tool Is Right for You?

3 Betting Mistakes That Portfolio EV Catches Instantly (And How It Fixes Them)

Sports Betting Resources

  • Positive EV NFL Bets
  • Expert NFL Picks
  • Live NBA Odds
  • Positive EV NBA Bets
  • Expert NBA Picks
  • Live NFL Odds
  • NFL Parlay Calculator
  • Positive EV MLB Bets
  • Expert MLB Picks
  • Positive EV College Football Bets
  • Expert College Football Picks

Featured Articles

Why the Sportsbooks Hate You When You Actually Start Winning
May 20, 2025 2:17 pm | Dave Loughran
What is Dinger Tuesday? How to Beat FanDuel’s Promotion
May 20, 2025 2:10 pm | Isaiah Sirois
Get a 7-DAY FREE TRIAL Of Portfolio EV Today!
May 20, 2025 10:12 am | Sam Smith
How Portfolio EV Built My NBA Bankroll from $100 to $1,200
May 16, 2025 7:11 am | Greg Ehrenberg
You Don’t Need to Be a Genius to Beat the Books — Just the Right Tools
April 26, 2025 8:15 am | Dave Loughran
NBA Playoffs Are Heating Up — And Portfolio EV s Are Cashing In
April 22, 2025 3:02 pm | Sam Smith

Related Articles

Sports Betting Without Knowing the Sport: How Market-Based +EV Betting Can Beat the Books
May 22, 2025 2:37 pm | Sam Smith
The Portfolio EV Lab Just Got a Massive Data Upgrade
May 20, 2025 2:47 pm | Sam Smith
Why the Sportsbooks Hate You When You Actually Start Winning
May 20, 2025 2:17 pm | Dave Loughran
What is Dinger Tuesday? How to Beat FanDuel’s Promotion
May 20, 2025 2:10 pm | Isaiah Sirois
What is Portfolio EV? Guide to +EV Sports Betting
May 20, 2025 10:07 am | Sam Smith
Sharp vs. Soft Sportsbooks: How to Spot the Difference and Find the Best Value Bets
May 19, 2025 3:09 pm | Sam Smith

Sports Betting Without Knowing the Sport: How Market-Based +EV Betting Can Beat the Books
May 22, 2025 2:37 pm
Underdog Fantasy Pick’em Predictions Today: Anthony Edwards (May 22)
May 22, 2025 1:07 pm
PrizePicks, DraftKings Pick6 & Underdog Cheat Sheet: Best More/Less Picks Today for NBA & MLB (May 22)
May 22, 2025 10:40 am
Best ParlayPlay Promo Code Today
May 22, 2025 6:57 am
Best Sleeper Promo Code Today
May 22, 2025 6:56 am
Best Underdog Promo Code Today
May 22, 2025 6:56 am
Best Vivid Picks Promo Code Today
May 22, 2025 6:56 am
The Portfolio EV Lab Just Got a Massive Data Upgrade
May 20, 2025 2:47 pm
Why the Sportsbooks Hate You When You Actually Start Winning
May 20, 2025 2:17 pm
What is Dinger Tuesday? How to Beat FanDuel’s Promotion
May 20, 2025 2:10 pm

How Can I Find the Best Sports Betting and DFS App Bonuses?

If you're a new sports bettor, it's hard to know where to start. In fact, it's simpler than it seems, because there are use OddsShopper's Free Bet Converter to maximize your beginning bankroll

Get a bonus code for BetMGM

Get a promo code Caesars Sportsbook

Best DraftKings Promo Code

Get a promo code for DraftKings

Use a promo code for FanDuel

Claim a promo code for PrizePicks

Get a promo code for UnderDog

the ranks of the OddsShopper Hall of Fame

  • Free Expert Picks

    • Free NBA Picks
    • Free MLB Picks
    • Free NFL Picks
    • Free NHL Picks
    • Free NCAAB Picks
    • Free NCAAF Picks
    • Free Golf Picks
    • Free UFC Picks
    • Free EPL Picks
    • Free Tennis Picks
    • Free WNBA Picks
  • Positive EV Bets

    • Positive EV NBA Bets
    • Positive EV MLB Bets
    • Positive EV NFL Bets
    • Positive EV NHL Bets
    • Positive EV NCAAB Bets
    • Positive EV NCAAF Bets
    • Positive EV Golf Bets
    • Positive EV UFC Bets
    • Positive EV EPL Bets
    • Positive EV Tennis Bets
    • Positive EV WNBA Bets
  • Betting Tools

    • Arbitrage Opportunities
    • Parlay Builder
    • PrizePicks Entry Builder
    • Underdog Entry Builder
    • Sleeper Entry Builder
    • Free Bet Converter
  • Articles

    • All Articles
    • NBA Articles
    • NFL Articles
    • NCAAF Articles
    • MLB Articles
    • PGA Articles
    • NHL Articles
    • NASCAR Articles
    • MMA Articles
  • Betting Calculators

    • Expected Value Calculator
    • Hold Calculator
    • Parlay Calculator
    • Odds Converter
  • Live Odds

    • Live NBA Odds
    • Live MLB Odds
    • Live NFL Odds
    • Live NHL Odds
    • Live NCAAB Odds
    • Live NCAAF Odds
    • Live Golf Odds
    • Live UFC Odds
    • Live EPL Odds
    • Live Tennis Odds
  • Sportsbook Promo Codes

    • BetMGM Bonus Codes
    • Bet365 Bonus Codes
    • FanDuel Promo Codes
    • DraftKings Promo Codes
    • Caesars Promo Codes
    • BetRivers Promo Codes
    • Sleeper Fantasy Promo Codes
    • Underdog Fantasy Promo Codes
    • Betr Picks Promo Codes

    • Us
    • of Use
    • Stokastic
OddsShopper Logo
© 2024 Stokastic.All Rights reserved.
This site contains commercial content, We may be compensated for the links provided on this page. The content on this page is for informational purposes only. OddsShopper makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the information given or the outcome of any game or event. Please play responsibly. Only customers 21 and over are permitted to play. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.