The way sportsbooks manage bets has changed a lot in recent years. What used to rely mostly on human experience is now backed by powerful technology. One of the biggest changes is how they now use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to monitor how people place bets.
Not all bettors are the same. Some people bet for fun, some follow their favorite teams, and then there are those who take a more serious approach.
These smart bettors often place bets that catch the attention of sportsbooks, and AI helps spot them quickly. As sports betting continues to grow across the world, the tools behind the scenes are also getting smarter. And the way sportsbooks use AI to understand betting patterns is becoming a big part of how they stay ahead.
Who Are the Sharps?
The Sharps are not typical everyday bettors. They are people who treat sports betting like a business. Instead of betting on emotions (as some bettors do) or supporting their favorite team, they are looking for numbers and statistics, and how odds are being set. They tend to bet early, before the public jumps into it, as they know how to spot small loopholes in the odds.
These sharps usually follow a long-term plan. They are not on the lookout for short-term profits. They place smart bets that carry value, and in the end, they win more than they lose.
To the sportsbooks, this kind of bettor can control the way the market is going to shift. A sharp bet can cause a change in the odds, especially if other sharps do the same thing.
Most of the sharps do not merely bet on top games, they also look for lower markets or lines that are not really in demand. That’s where they find value that others don’t see.
This is one reason some states, like Texas, have seen a rise in both serious betting activity and casual interest. A sportsbook betting bonus in Texas is not uncommon, as it helps platforms stay competitive and attract more recreational players. These promotions are designed to appeal to everyday fans rather than seasoned sharps.
They’re called “sharps” for a reason. They’re sharp with their thinking, sharp with their timing, and sharp with their choices. And that’s exactly why sportsbooks are now using smart tools like AI to pay closer attention to them. It also helps them optimize how, when, and to whom these bonuses are offered.
How AI Helps Sportsbooks Detect Smart Bettors
AI is now a key part of how sportsbooks manage their platforms. It helps them learn to examine betting patterns, set realistic odds, and stay attentive to market forces. In some cases, it was reported to have increased profits by up to 15%, as was the case in UEFA 2024. Most importantly, it helps sportsbooks understand sharp bettors, as they are known for being conservative and prudent with their bets.
Sharps usually have a method: they place early bets when the odds go live. They don’t just follow the crowd, they follow data. AI systems are trained to notice these early moves. If someone bets the moment odds go live and does this often, it could be a sign of sharp activity. If somebody is consistently winning, perhaps in low-profile games, then it might not be luck but strategy. These systems also keep an eye on which markets people are putting their bets on. Certain sharps prefer certain-niche games or unusual types of bets.
When the system picks up on something like that, the sportsbook responds by adjusting the odds, which is called line movement. Line movement is when a sportsbook changes the odds of a game based on how people are betting. If a sharp bets heavily on a team, the odds for that team might change. Line shaping balances the quantity of bets on both sides and keeps the market steady. AI makes this process faster and more accurate, and usually reacts in real time to large or sharp bets.
AI not only manages odds, but it also makes the betting process itself better. It can recognize unusual spikes in betting, which could mean that something important has changed, like an injury to a team or breaking news. It can also personalize the site for individuals by presenting offers or games that they are more likely to enjoy. This makes the app or website feel more useful, not just to spot sharps but for everyone else who wants an enjoyable experience.
Leading global sports technology companies like Sportradar and Genius Sports are helping sportsbooks use this kind of technology. For example, Sportradar tracks over 30 billion odds adjustments annually across more than 600 betting platforms using AI to detect betting trends and market changes. These tools are designed not to block sharp bettors but to help sportsbooks keep things fair, balanced, and well-informed.
How Sportsbooks Use Reverse Line Movement to Stay Ahead of Sharps
Sometimes, sportsbooks move their betting lines in a way that doesn’t follow the public. This is called reverse line movement. It may look confusing at first, but it’s a smart way for sportsbooks to stay one step ahead, especially when they know that sharp bettors are involved. Say, for example, 75% of the public is betting on Team A to win. Normally, you’d expect the odds for Team A to drop, since more people are backing them. But instead, the odds move in the other direction, towards Team B, that’s reverse line movement.
It usually means that the sportsbook is reacting to a number of large wagers made by informed money bettors who have wagered on Team B, even though most of the public has wagered on Team A. Now, sportsbooks don’t do this to confuse people; when they see that kind of smart action, they might move the line to reflect the smart money, even if it contradicts public action. It keeps them from incurring significant losses and also keeps the betting market fair.
