Jimmy Boyd in 
Imagine a typical NFL Sunday at a crowded sportsbook.
One bettor – let’s call him John Q. Public – strolls in wearing his favorite team’s jersey.
He plunks down $50 on the heavily favored home team and the over, because “the better team should win big, and who wants to root for a low score?”
Across the room, a seasoned sharp bettor quietly grabs the underdog +7 and the under, having spotted value in the odds.
John (and the many like him) are what the betting world affectionately calls “squares.”
In sports betting lingo, being a square has nothing to do with geometry or SpongeBob.
It’s a term for a certain type of bettor – and if you’ve ever bet with your gut on a popular favorite or chased a wild parlay hoping to strike it rich, it might describe you.
Don’t worry, it’s not a harsh insult.
We’ve all been there. In fact, understanding what a “square” is (and how to avoid being one) can be your first step toward sharper betting.
Definition: The Square Bettor (AKA the “Public”)
A “square” in sports betting is basically a casual, recreational bettor.
This is the guy or gal betting for fun – often on big games or well-known teams – without digging deep into statistics or strategy.
Squares are often called the “betting public,” “Average Joes,” or “Joe Public.”
When you hear bookmakers talk about “public money” or see a side labeled a “public favorite,” they’re talking about bets from squares.
Being a square isn’t necessarily a put-down; it just means you’re like the majority of bettors who aren’t doing this professionally.
Most of us start out as squares, betting on our favorite teams or following whatever the TV pundits hype up.
The opposite of a square is a “sharp,” sometimes called a wiseguy or pro – those are the more seasoned, disciplined bettors who treat sports betting like an investment rather than a casual gamble. (There’s even a tongue-in-cheek term “square sharp” for a bettor who thinks they’re savvy but still ends up making square picks!).
How Sharps & Sportsbooks Use the Term: You’ll often hear sharps and oddsmakers refer to “square action” or “square money.”
This is their way of describing bets from casual fans.
For example, if 90% of the bets are coming in on a popular favorite, the pros might say “the public is all over Team X”.
Sportsbooks keep track of these trends, because square bettors as a group tend to be predictable in where they put their money.
In everyday conversation, sharps might chuckle about a “square play” – a bet that looks too obvious or is based on fan sentiment rather than real edge (more on that in a bit).
Common Habits of Square Bettors
So what exactly makes a bet or bettor “square”?
There are some tell-tale habits and tendencies that characterize the square approach.
If you recognize yourself doing a lot of these, it’s a sign you’re leaning square (which is okay – and fixable!).
Here are some common square bettor habits, along with real-world examples:
- Betting the Obvious Favorites and Overs: Squares almost always gravitate to the perceived “better” team and the over on the total. They’ll lay the points with big-name favorites and back high-scoring games – after all, it feels safer to trust the superior team, and it’s more fun to cheer for points. For example, a square bettor might blindly take the defending champions at -10 against a weaker team without considering if that point spread is inflated. They’ll also prefer a game to go over 50 points rather than under – who wants to root for defense and boring punts? This bias toward favorites and overs is so strong that oddsmakers anticipate it and often shade lines a bit against the popular side (e.g. making a famous team lay an extra half-point or so) knowing the public will bet it anyway.
- Following Hype, Recent Trends & Gut Feelings: Square bettors are highly influenced by media narratives and “hot” trends. If they heard on ESPN that Team A is “unstoppable” or saw Team B blow out an opponent last week, they’ll bet as if those narratives guarantee a win. (“Team A looked amazing last game – I’m hammering them this week!” is a classic square mindset.) They might also jump on the bandwagon of popular betting angles or “locks of the week” touted online. The problem is, what makes a flashy headline or a good story doesn’t always make a winning bet. Squares often bet with their heart or hype instead of their head – backing their favorite teams, or the side that “feels” like a winner, even when the data or value might say otherwise.
- Lack of Line Shopping (Taking Bad Odds): A big hallmark of square bettors is convenience over value. They typically stick to one sportsbook (or whatever app is easiest) and do not shop around for the best line. This means a square might bet a favorite at -7.5 at their go-to book, oblivious to the fact that another book had -7 available (a much better price). Taking worse odds or failing to get an extra half-point here and there adds up and cuts into your chances of winning. Sharps, by contrast, always hunt for the best number and often have accounts at multiple books to compare lines. If you’re only ever betting at one place without checking others, that’s a square-style mistake.
- Love of Parlays and Longshots: Squares are notorious for chasing the big score. They’ll put down $5 to win $500 on a 6-team parlay or toss in a bunch of long-shot bets hoping to strike gold. Sure, parlays offer enticing payouts, but they’re called “sucker bets” for a reason – the odds are heavily against hitting one. A square bettor often “doesn’t know a good bet from a bad bet” in this regard – they just see the potential payout and go for it. Sharps, on the other hand, rarely play those crazy multi-team parlays because they know the math is stacked in the house’s favor. (Ever notice sportsbooks heavily promote parlays and “bonus odds” for crazy combos? It’s because they know squares can’t resist, and it’s usually easy money for the book.)
- Inconsistent Bankroll Management & Chasing Losses: Discipline is a sharp’s trait; lack of discipline is a square’s. Square bettors often have no clear plan for how much to bet per game. They might bet $20 on one game, $200 on the next, purely on whim or confidence. Even worse, when on a losing streak, a square may double down and throw good money after bad – for instance, putting their entire bankroll on one late game trying to win back what they lost earlier. This “chasing losses” approach is a recipe for disaster (and something a true sharp would never do). Likewise, if a square wins a bet, they might “press” and bet even bigger on the next game out of overconfidence. All of this erratic betting stems from emotion. Sharps stick to a consistent strategy – squares often ride a emotional rollercoaster, making impulsive bets to try to get even or ride a hot hand.
- Action Every Game (Betting for Entertainment): For many squares, betting is mainly about the thrill. They want action on the big primetime game, the playoff game, the game their friends are watching – even if they have no edge to exploit. A square bettor will wager on a Monday night football game just because it’s on TV, or throw a few bucks on the late-night West Coast game simply because it’s the last chance to gamble that day. Sportsbooks love this habit; it’s where they often “clean house,” since the bettor isn’t being selective . By contrast, sharps are perfectly fine not betting a game at all if they don’t see value. If you find yourself betting every game just for fun, or because “hey, it’s on, might as well bet it,” that’s classic square behavior.
Now, none of this is said to bash the casual bettor.
Remember, squares make up the vast majority of the betting public, and they’re the lifeblood of sportsbooks – their losses fund the industry and create the pools of money that make big betting markets possible.
But these habits do explain why most squares lose in the long run, and recognizing them is key if you want to break out of those patterns.
How Oddsmakers and Sharps Exploit “Square” Action
Both bookmakers and sharp bettors pay close attention to square betting tendencies – and they’ve learned how to take advantage of predictable public behavior.
Sportsbooks Shade the Lines: Oddsmakers know that casual bettors tend to hammer favorites and popular teams no matter what.
So, the sportsbooks will often tilt the odds slightly against those sides to account for the anticipated flood of square money.
For example, if a truly “fair” point spread for the Cowboys is -6, a sportsbook might set it at -6.5 or -7 because they know the public will bet Dallas anyway.
This practice is called shading the line.
It allows the book to get a bit more value knowing squares will still bite.
By inflating a line on a hyped team or a well-loved favorite, the house baits square bettors into laying a worse price.
Over the long term, these half-points and extra juice pad the sportsbook’s edge.
You’ll also see books do this with big event games.
In the Super Bowl or March Madness, for instance, a popular favorite’s moneyline might be priced worse than the true odds – essentially a “tax” on fans betting the big name.
It’s no coincidence; it’s the book capitalizing on square money.
And if the popular side doesn’t cover?
The book rakes it in.
There’s a famous saying when an upset happens: “The public got killed on that game.”
That means most square bettors lost because the obvious, popular bet failed – and the sportsbook likely had a profitable day.
Sharps “Fade” the Public: Sharp bettors, the pros, often use square action to their advantage as well.
One common strategy is “fading the public,” which means betting against the side that the majority of squares are on.
If 80% of casual bettors are on Team A, a sharp might take Team B if they believe the line has moved too far in Team A’s direction.
The idea is that when everyone is on one side, the value often lies with the other side (especially if the line has been inflated due to that public money).
Some sharps specifically monitor games where the betting percentages are lopsided in favor of one team, and if they also see reverse line movement (the line moves opposite to the public money, indicating sharp action on the other side), that’s their cue to pounce.
For instance, imagine a highly ranked college team is only a 3-point favorite against an unranked team.
Squares will jump on the ranked favorite at -3, thinking “Wow, just a field goal? Easy money.”
But sharps might smell something fishy – why is the line so low?
In this scenario, many pros will actually take the underdog +3, suspecting the bookmakers set a trap for the public.
This kind of too-good-to-be-true bet is often called a “square play” because it screams for squares to bet it.
And many times, the sharps end up on the winning side of those “fishy” lines when the unexpected happens and the favorite fails to cover.
In short, sharps make a living by finding spots where public perception diverges from reality – and then betting against the hype.
Line Moves and Head Fakes: Another way sharps exploit square action is by timing their bets around it.
Savvy bettors understand how lines move in response to public betting.
Early in the week, a sharp might bet on a side they expect will become popular, hoping to get ahead of a line move.
Alternatively, they might wait until square money pours in on one side and pushes a line to a more favorable number, then come in late on the other side.
For example, if a team opens at -6 and heavy public action (squares) drives it up to -7.5 by Sunday, a sharp who liked the underdog might wait and then grab the underdog at +7.5 right before kickoff, getting an extra point and a half of value thanks to all that square money moving the line.
There are even advanced tactics where sharps fake out the public – sometimes called a head fake or dummy move.
A sharp syndicate might bet the square side early (causing the line to move in that direction), then later unload a much larger bet on the opposite side at the improved price.
This is complex and not something casual bettors need to worry about doing, but it highlights how keenly aware sharps and oddsmakers are of square behavior.
It’s almost a cat-and-mouse game: squares bet based on instinct and fandom, and sharps maneuver around that to find value.
The sportsbooks, of course, just want balanced action or the right exposure – and square money is a tool for them to manage risk and profit by adjusting lines accordingly.
Tips on How Not to Be a Square (Becoming a Sharper Bettor)
By now, you might be thinking, “Uh oh… I recognize some of those square habits in myself.”
That’s okay! Everyone starts somewhere, and the fact that you’re learning is a great sign.
Being a “square” isn’t a fixed status – it’s a reflection of your approach, and you can always sharpen that approach.
Here are some practical tips to avoid being a square bettor and step up your game:
- Do Your Homework – Bet with Your Head, Not Your Heart: The number one way to shed the square mentality is to base your bets on research and value, not gut feelings or fandom. Before you place a wager, look at the stats, matchup details, injuries, and odds. Ask yourself: Does this bet have value at these odds, or am I just taking the popular side because it’s comfortable? Don’t just bet a team because you love them or because everyone on TV says they’re a lock. As we like to say, “what makes a good headline doesn’t always make a good bet” . Try to remove bias and emotion from your decisions. If you’re a diehard fan of a team, be extra cautious – the sharpest bettors can and will bet against their favorite team if that’s where the value is. In short, be objective. Treat it a bit more like an investor analyzing a stock, not a fan rooting for laundry.
- Understand Odds and Look for Value: Start thinking like a sharp by focusing on the point spread or odds value, not just who you think will win the game. A square might say “Team A is definitely better, they’ll crush Team B,” but a sharp says “Team A might win, but are they worth laying -10 points? Or is the value actually taking +10 on Team B?” The concept of value is key: it’s possible for the “worse” team to be the right bet if the odds are generous enough. Always compare your expected probability of an outcome to what the odds imply. If a line looks fishy or too good to be true, pause and reconsider – it might be a trap for squares . By seeking value rather than backing the obvious choice every time, you’ll already be ahead of most casual bettors.
- Practice Bankroll Discipline: Set up a bankroll management plan and stick to it. This means deciding what a unit of your bet is (e.g. 1-2% of your total bankroll per bet is a common guideline) and not deviating wildly from it. Avoid those impulse “all-in” moments after a bad loss – never chase your losses by drastically increasing your bet size out of frustration . Likewise, don’t double your bet just because you feel “extra sure” about a game. Even the best bets can lose; there are no sure things. Sharps treat betting as a long-term grind, not a quick score. By flat-betting consistent amounts or using a mild scaling (like betting slightly more on only the very strongest edges), you protect yourself from the downswings that bankrupt undisciplined squares. Remember, slow and steady wins the race in betting. Preserve your bankroll so you can survive cold streaks and capitalize when you do have an edge.
- Avoid Parlays (or Keep Them Small for Fun): Those 10-leg parlays with jackpot payouts? They’re almost always a bad deal. By all means, if you want to throw a tiny bet on a crazy parlay for entertainment, go for it – just treat it like buying a lottery ticket. But don’t make parlays a significant part of your strategy. The house edge on parlays is huge, and even though they’re tempting, they lose far more often than they win . The fact that sportsbooks constantly promote parlay boosts and big parlay win stories should tell you something: they want you betting them (because it’s usually profitable for the book ). The sharp approach is to mostly stick to straight bets. If you do parlay, consider two-team parlays at most, or parlays where you truly think each leg has value. But as a rule, don’t be the bettor chasing 15-team parlays every week – that’s square territory.
- Shop for the Best Line: This is a simple habit that instantly separates sharper bettors from squares. Always compare odds across multiple sportsbooks if you can . If you only have one betting account, consider opening a couple more at reputable books, so you can shop lines. That extra half-point or better price WILL make a difference over the long run. Squares often ignore this (or don’t realize they can do it), and they end up routinely betting into worse odds . For example, if you like an underdog at +3.5, check if someone is offering +4. Or if you want the favorite, see if you can lay -6.5 instead of -7. It’s the same game, same bet – but a better line can be the difference between a win and a push, or a push and a loss. Don’t give the sportsbook any extra edge by being lazy on line shopping. Be the bettor who gets the best number, not the one settling for whatever’s on the screen.
- Be Selective & Think Long-Term: You don’t have to bet every game! One of the surest signs of a maturing bettor is the willingness to pass on a wager if it doesn’t meet your criteria. Sharps might only bet a few games they really love on a NFL Sunday and skip the rest. If it’s a random Wednesday college football game and you have no read on it, there’s no rule saying you must put money down just because it’s on ESPN. Avoid the square trap of betting just for entertainment or action. It’s absolutely fine to watch a game without a bet – or just make a small live bet later if something promising emerges. Also, think in terms of seasons or years, not days or weeks. Don’t panic from a bad weekend or get cocky from a great weekend. Sharps know it’s about winning over the long haul (>52.4% ATS to beat standard juice, for example). By keeping a level head and long-term perspective, you won’t fall into the boom-and-bust emotional cycle that plagues many square bettors.
- Stay Curious and Keep Learning: The sports betting world is always evolving. New strategies, stats, and tools emerge all the time. The fact that you’re reading this means you’re on the right track – you want to learn. Keep that up. Read articles (we have tons of free guides here at BoydsBets), follow legitimate betting analysts, and review your own betting history to see what you can improve. If you catch yourself making a “square” mistake, don’t get defensive; use it as a learning moment. Maybe you realize you’ve been blindly backing big favorites and losing – next time, dig deeper or consider if the line is too steep. Maybe you always bet with a certain narrative (“Team X never loses at home in December!”) – check the facts, you might be surprised. The best bettors constantly refine their approach. Like the old saying, “It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts.”
Finally, remember that being a square isn’t a permanent label.
It’s more of a mindset, and it can change.
At BoydsBets, our goal is literally to help casual bettors become a bit sharper by sharing knowledge and strategies.
Even the pros were newbies once.
So if you find yourself on the square side of a lot of bets, don’t sweat it – acknowledging it is the first step to evolving your betting game.
Going from square to sharp won’t happen overnight, but if you implement the tips above, you’ll notice your perspective and results improving over time.
Instead of chasing hype or betting blindly, you’ll start spotting value, managing risk, and making more savvy bets.
That’s what it’s all about!
A “square” is the common recreational bettor who bets with their heart and the herd.
There’s nothing wrong with being one – sports betting is fun, after all – but if you aspire to bet smarter (and win more), aim to adopt some sharp habits.
Question the obvious, do the research, be disciplined, and don’t be just another square bettor lining the book’s pockets.
With a bit of practice and patience, you can graduate from square to sharp – or at least, a well-rounded square who wins a lot more often!
