This is one of the most common critiques in the sports betting world:
“If someone is so good at gambling, why not just bet their picks and make a fortune? Why sell them?”
It’s a fair question…
But the answer is rooted in simple economics and market reality—not conspiracy or grift.
Let’s break it down.
💡 Gambling to Make Money? Why Not Do Both?
Most people get into gambling for two reasons:
- Money
- Entertainment
If you’re good at it, and you’re in it for profit, then it makes sense to:
- Bet your own picks
- Monetize that expertise further by selling those picks
That’s not shady—that’s capitalism.
The criticism usually stems from emotional frustration with handicappers or touts, not rational business logic.
📊 Let’s Look at the Math: TSP Portfolio Performance
Here’s a real-world example using The TSP Portfolio, which launched on January 1st, 2023.
- Lifetime ROI: +18%
- 2024 ROI (YTD as of this article): +11%
- Total Wagers: 1,167
- Total Profit: +35.38 units
💰 Example: Pro Betting $5,000 per 0.1 Unit
- Average bet size in the TSP Portfolio = 0.17 units = $8,500
- Total profit = 353.8 x $5,000 = $1,769,000
- 2024 alone = 92.4 x $5,000 = $462,000
Not too bad, right?
🧾 Now Add Pick Sales to the Equation
Let’s say that same pro sells the portfolio content for:
- $100/month
- 1,000 subscribers
That’s $100,000/month, or:
- $800,000 for 8 months of 2024
- $2,000,000 total since Jan 1, 2023
🔢 Combined Income Breakdown:
Income Source | Amount |
---|---|
Betting Winnings | $1,769,000 |
Content Sales | $2,000,000 |
Total | $3,769,000 |
So let’s ask again…
Would you turn down an extra $2 million in income just to keep your bets to yourself?
💣 But Why Not Just Bet Bigger Instead of Selling?
Great question. Here’s the answer:
📉 Eventually, you top out on what you can realistically bet.
Example:
Let’s say you want to go from $5,000 → $50,000 per 0.1 unit.
That means:
- 1.0 unit bet = $500,000
- Easy in NFL, Premier League, etc.
- Not so easy in preseason WNBA, Olympic table tennis, or ATP Challenger Tour.
Even high-end bettors run into betting limits, soft markets, or reduced access.
So what’s the smart move?
- Bet your edge
- Then monetize it again by reselling it AFTER the bet is placed
🔐 Selling Picks = Smart Capital Expansion
We live in a world where:
- Sportsbooks limit or ban sharp bettors more than ever
- Outs are drying up
- Market volume caps your upside
Selling picks doesn’t replace your edge—it extends it.
The bettors who purchase quality content become part of that monetization chain, allowing pros to continue doing what they do best—betting sharp and grinding ROI.
👊 So… Don’t Hate the Player, Hate the Game
The hate toward pick sellers is understandable—it’s an industry filled with bad actors.
But when a documented, profitable bettor shares content after betting it themselves, and uses it to expand their income?
That’s not grifting. That’s running a smart betting business.
🏁 Final Word
Being good at betting and selling your content are not mutually exclusive. In fact, for professionals facing the real-world betting limits, they go hand in hand.
So the next time you hear,
“If he’s so good, why is he selling picks?”
Just remember:
It’s not a weakness. It’s leverage.
Good luck out there!