There are many terms used in sports betting that require clarification and, on this page, we have public betting explained. This term is also known as betting percentage and we will analyse the public betting meaning for you when having a wager. We begin with the public betting definition.
1. What is Public Betting?
Public betting is the collective wagers of casual sports fans on a specific outcome in a game. In other words, public betting is where the casual group of bettors have put their money. If we take an NFL game as a public betting example, one team is likely to receive more bets to win than the other team.
The public betting information can influence betting trends and lines as the information regarding where most money has been placed begins to emerge. The public betting percentages are a way of showing this information and which team the public is favoring in a sporting event. However, the betting odds are not always reflected in the betting percentage as the public may decide to against the favorite in a game.
With public betting explained, we can move on to reading free public betting percentages. We will also assess how public betting numbers can affect odds. You can also read on what is the odds difference indicator if you are not familiar with it just yet, but if you are and want to move straight into placing some bets, check our our recommended bookmakers.
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2. How to Read Public Betting Data
We know public sports betting is the collective wagers placed by the casual betting public on a sporting event but how do you read the public betting and money percentages? The first thing to consider is where to find public betting percentages and there are several free websites where you can find this information. Covers and Sports Insights are two examples of free websites that offer public betting information.
If we take the NFL game between Indianapolis Colts and Pittsburgh Steelers as an example, 69% of the public are backing the Colts, leaving 31% of the public backing the Steelers. However, that does not always mean that the bulk of the money is on the Colts and money percentages can be different to the public betting consensus.
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3. Public Betting and Money Percentages
The amount of money being wagered by individuals on a sporting event differs. If 75% of the public is backing New York Knicks to beat Boston Celtics in the NBA it does not mean 75% of the total money bet is on the Knicks to win. The average public bettor may wager between $10 and $20 per game with some stretching to $50. More serious bettors may wager $200 or more on the same game and just a few people betting big money can easily outweigh a larger number of bettors wagering smaller amounts.
In addition, professional bettors often choose to ignore parlays. That means the public betting percentage could be skewed on parlays because even small betting amounts could lead to a significant swing in one direction.
4. Public Betting Splits
Public betting splits is the difference between the total amount of money and the total number of bets on a specific outcome in a game. Analysing this data can reveal where professional bettors, knowns as ‘sharps’ are placing their money. So, if a larger percentage of the total money is placed on one outcome compared to the number of bets, it suggests the ‘sharps’ are wagering a larger sum of money on that outcome compared to the general public.
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Using this information can provide an insight into how professionals are betting on a game. You should never back an outcome based on this information without completing your own research but it can be a useful starting point.
5. How Betting Trends Affect Odds
The meaning of public betting is not only about understanding the percentages and what they mean in terms of who the public believes will win the game. What is the public betting on? That is the big question for all online sportsbooks. Why do sportsbooks want to know what the public is betting on?
Sportsbooks want to make a profit and they are aiming for an even distribution of bets on both outcomes of a game. By establishing an even distribution of bets on both outcomes the sportsbook will make a profit, regardless of the result. By reading the public betting statistics and seeing one team is being backed by the majority of bettors, the sportsbook can adjust the odds. The sportsbook will change the odds to make the less favored team a more tempting bet for the public with the aim of making the betting more even overall.
If we continue with our NBA example from above, if the public betting numbers showed there was a huge rush of bets on the Knicks, the sportsbook might react by increasing the odds on the points spread for the Celtics. This will encourage bettors to back the underdog and make the betting more balanced between the two teams.
6. Are Betting Trends Accurate in 2025?
There is no doubt betting trends in 2025 can provide an insight into a betting market, which especially important when we look at the most profitable football betting markets. As highlighted in the public betting splits section above, the information can be used as a starting point when betting on a game. However, because the public betting percentage is leaning towards one specific outcome, it does not mean it is going to be correct. The amount of money wagered in each bet can skew the stats so you are encouraged to use betting trends as a starting point for your own research before having a wager.
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If we take latest 2026 Super Bowl betting tips as an example, it may become clear thanks to the free public betting percentages that 80% are backing one team. Do not follow the crowd and bet on the same team without assessing the odds, team form, player injuries, head-to-head results, and weather conditions before placing your bet.
7. Public Betting Explained – FAQ
7.1 🧑🤝🧑 Can Following public betting percentages work?
Following the crowd can make you feel more comfortable with your bet but it does not mean it will definitely win.
7.2 💵 Does betting against the public work?
It can work as odds will be more lucrative but you must conduct thorough research.
7.3 ➗ What are public betting splits?
A public betting split is the difference between the amount of money wagered on an outcome and the total number of bets.
7.4 🏈 What is public betting?
Public betting explained is the collective wagers of casual sports fans on a specific outcome in a game.
Public Betting Explained
There are many terms used in sports betting that require clarification and, on this page, we have public betting explained. This term is also known as betting percentage and we will analyse the public betting meaning for you when having a wager. We begin with the public betting definition.
Contents
1. What is Public Betting?
Public betting is the collective wagers of casual sports fans on a specific outcome in a game. In other words, public betting is where the casual group of bettors have put their money. If we take an NFL game as a public betting example, one team is likely to receive more bets to win than the other team.
The public betting information can influence betting trends and lines as the information regarding where most money has been placed begins to emerge. The public betting percentages are a way of showing this information and which team the public is favoring in a sporting event. However, the betting odds are not always reflected in the betting percentage as the public may decide to against the favorite in a game.
With public betting explained, we can move on to reading free public betting percentages. We will also assess how public betting numbers can affect odds. You can also read on what is the odds difference indicator if you are not familiar with it just yet, but if you are and want to move straight into placing some bets, check our our recommended bookmakers.
Bet with the best Bookmakers in your area!
2. How to Read Public Betting Data
We know public sports betting is the collective wagers placed by the casual betting public on a sporting event but how do you read the public betting and money percentages? The first thing to consider is where to find public betting percentages and there are several free websites where you can find this information. Covers and Sports Insights are two examples of free websites that offer public betting information.
If we take the NFL game between Indianapolis Colts and Pittsburgh Steelers as an example, 69% of the public are backing the Colts, leaving 31% of the public backing the Steelers. However, that does not always mean that the bulk of the money is on the Colts and money percentages can be different to the public betting consensus.
Another important thing, when placing a bet is to use a promo code to cut your losses. You can check our the BetWinner promo code review available on our site. Take advantage of it and its amazing sports betting bonus!
3. Public Betting and Money Percentages
The amount of money being wagered by individuals on a sporting event differs. If 75% of the public is backing New York Knicks to beat Boston Celtics in the NBA it does not mean 75% of the total money bet is on the Knicks to win. The average public bettor may wager between $10 and $20 per game with some stretching to $50. More serious bettors may wager $200 or more on the same game and just a few people betting big money can easily outweigh a larger number of bettors wagering smaller amounts.
In addition, professional bettors often choose to ignore parlays. That means the public betting percentage could be skewed on parlays because even small betting amounts could lead to a significant swing in one direction.
4. Public Betting Splits
Public betting splits is the difference between the total amount of money and the total number of bets on a specific outcome in a game. Analysing this data can reveal where professional bettors, knowns as ‘sharps’ are placing their money. So, if a larger percentage of the total money is placed on one outcome compared to the number of bets, it suggests the ‘sharps’ are wagering a larger sum of money on that outcome compared to the general public.
Using this information can provide an insight into how professionals are betting on a game. You should never back an outcome based on this information without completing your own research but it can be a useful starting point.
5. How Betting Trends Affect Odds
The meaning of public betting is not only about understanding the percentages and what they mean in terms of who the public believes will win the game. What is the public betting on? That is the big question for all online sportsbooks. Why do sportsbooks want to know what the public is betting on?
Sportsbooks want to make a profit and they are aiming for an even distribution of bets on both outcomes of a game. By establishing an even distribution of bets on both outcomes the sportsbook will make a profit, regardless of the result. By reading the public betting statistics and seeing one team is being backed by the majority of bettors, the sportsbook can adjust the odds. The sportsbook will change the odds to make the less favored team a more tempting bet for the public with the aim of making the betting more even overall.
If we continue with our NBA example from above, if the public betting numbers showed there was a huge rush of bets on the Knicks, the sportsbook might react by increasing the odds on the points spread for the Celtics. This will encourage bettors to back the underdog and make the betting more balanced between the two teams.
6. Are Betting Trends Accurate in 2025?
There is no doubt betting trends in 2025 can provide an insight into a betting market, which especially important when we look at the most profitable football betting markets. As highlighted in the public betting splits section above, the information can be used as a starting point when betting on a game. However, because the public betting percentage is leaning towards one specific outcome, it does not mean it is going to be correct. The amount of money wagered in each bet can skew the stats so you are encouraged to use betting trends as a starting point for your own research before having a wager.
If we take latest 2026 Super Bowl betting tips as an example, it may become clear thanks to the free public betting percentages that 80% are backing one team. Do not follow the crowd and bet on the same team without assessing the odds, team form, player injuries, head-to-head results, and weather conditions before placing your bet.
7. Public Betting Explained – FAQ
7.1 🧑🤝🧑 Can Following public betting percentages work?
Following the crowd can make you feel more comfortable with your bet but it does not mean it will definitely win.
7.2 💵 Does betting against the public work?
It can work as odds will be more lucrative but you must conduct thorough research.
7.3 ➗ What are public betting splits?
A public betting split is the difference between the amount of money wagered on an outcome and the total number of bets.
7.4 🏈 What is public betting?
Public betting explained is the collective wagers of casual sports fans on a specific outcome in a game.