Monitor Injuries and News to Gain an Edge
Just like any sport, monitoring injuries and other news is an important part of betting on lacrosse. However, unlike other sports where line movement usually occurs rather quickly after injuries are made public or other news is released, lacrosse lines rarely move, even when big named players are ruled inactive. This is why it is often better to wait until closer to game time to place a bet on lacrosse since closing line value tends to be minimal or in most cases not applicable.
While this will eventually change as the sport becomes more popular and more money is wagered on lacrosse, it provides an opportunity for lacrosse bettors to gain an edge. More information can lead to a more informed decision when betting.
Like any sport, though, the impact of injuries should be weighed differently based on the player who is injured and even the variation of the sport. While a team losing its leading scorer is a cause for concern in any variation of lacrosse, a starter going down in a professional lacrosse game tends to have less of an impact than a star collegiate player being added to the inactive list. Likewise, a team that loses a key starter in the NLL — where gameplay is six-on-six — may experience a greater impact than a team in the PLL, where gameplay is 11-on-11.
Ultimately, injuries and other news should be weighed on a case-to-case basis, and if properly considered can give bettors an edge over the sportsbooks. Even if injury news doesn’t ultimately affect the handicap of a game, it could still impact a bettor’s decision to either place a bet or pass on a game entirely.
Let us know which tip you found the most helpful in the comments or on social media! Then check out the Bet On Lacrosse podcast and our latest betting previews.
