How to read a live betting pick

The side and the number. Exactly what to bet, at which book. When several books post the same number, the one shown has the best price.

The book and the price. The sportsbook and the price we sent, written to the public record before members see it. The record is graded at that price.

The grade. How much we trust this kind of pick. A = our strongest kind of pick; B = a good pick with a shorter record behind it; C = a smaller, more speculative play.

STAKE. One unit, flat, on every pick. One unit is the share of bankroll you set on the Account page; the bankroll guide below suggests 0.5–1%. The public record is graded at a flat one unit on every pick.

The kind of pick. Most picks are priced at even money or shorter; those are our main picks and they lead the record. A pick priced above even money is marked Plus-money play: it wins less often and pays more when it does. A Fast-number play is a number that tends to move fast: take it right away or skip it. Each kind has its own line on the record page.

The clock. Some picks carry an expiry: the number is only expected to stay up for a short time. Late is not a discount; late is gone. Picks without a clock are good until the number moves.

The rule. One position per market per game. When the number moves after you are in, you get an update on the pick — not a second ticket. A live number usually gets better because the game is going against you, so we don’t press it. Hedging and middling are vig. Bet flat; don’t hedge.

Log it. Every bet you place, log the price you got and how long it took. Your ledger grades against your own fills; the gap between your table and ours on the Performance page is your obtainability — and it is the number that turns our returns into yours.