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Dog
sports bettingShort for underdog — the team or player expected to lose a matchup.
Key Takeaways
- 1Dog means underdog — the expected loser
- 2Underdogs offer value when they win more often than odds imply
- 3Public bias toward favorites can create underdog value
- 4You don't need dogs to win every time to profit
What is a Dog?
Dog is short for underdog — the team, player, or outcome that the oddsmakers expect to lose. On the moneyline, the dog is indicated by positive odds (e.g., +150).
Underdog Value
Underdogs don't need to win for you to profit long-term. They just need to win more often than the odds imply.
Example
- A +200 dog is implied to win 33.3% of the time
- If the dog actually wins 38% of the time, betting them is +EV
- Over 100 bets at $100: Expected profit = $14 per bet
Why Underdogs Can Offer Value
- Public bias toward favorites inflates chalk lines
- Recency bias — a team on a losing streak may be undervalued
- Motivation factors — underdogs in elimination games often outperform
- Line movement — sharp money on dogs moves lines, creating value early