Bettor Misperceptions in the NBA

Abstract

Systematic bettor misperceptions are found in the NBA point spread gambling market for the seasons of 1995-1996 to 2001-2002. Evidence of the overbetting of favorites is found, with a strategy of betting big underdogs rejecting the null of a fair bet. Betting big home underdogs not only rejects a fair bet but is also shown to reject the null of no profitability. In addition, betting against winning streaks, as first suggested in the “hot-hand” article of Camerer and later tested by Brown and Sauer, is also shown to be profitable.