Reverse Line Movement
/ree-VERS line MOOV-muhnt/
Reverse line movement occurs when the betting line moves opposite to the direction of public betting percentages. If 70% of bets are on Team A but the line moves toward Team B, sharp money is likely on Team B. This indicator helps identify where professional bettors are placing their action.
Example
Patriots are -3 with 75% of public bets. Instead of moving to -3.5 or -4, the line drops to -2.5. This reverse movement suggests sharps are heavily on the opponent, causing books to adjust despite public money on the Patriots.
Common Questions
Is reverse line movement a reliable indicator?
Is reverse line movement a reliable indicator?
It's one of the better indicators of sharp action, but not foolproof. Combine it with steam moves, opening line value, and your own analysis. Books sometimes move lines for reasons unrelated to sharp money.
Where can I track reverse line movement?
Where can I track reverse line movement?
Several sites track betting percentages and line movement. Look for games where the line moves against the popular side. The bigger the discrepancy between public % and line direction, the stronger the signal.