[bigboydan]

This might have been debated before somewhere, but I'll be damn if I remember a thread on the subject.

I think Americans are.

[tacomax]

Paging Jamie_UK.

[pico]

Paging Jamie_UK.

i have a feeling this thread will be moved to the private area once the debate starts

[Dark Horse]

Sharper in terms of what? Overall winning percentage? lol

I would say pros are the same, but US has bigger players, semi-pros are better in US, and recreational players are equally bad on both sides of the pond. (Not including horse players).
No numbers to support it. Just gut feeling.

[BigBollocks]

In general, on any continent you go to most every handicapper you'll meet is a loser.

However, I would give a decided edge to the Europeans as a whole, simply because the average European punter is substantially more proficient at math and statistics. Just my .02

[Santo]

Agree with BB, primarily because an above-board activity is going to have more professionals (statisticians etc) dedicated to it than an underground one.

[jon13009]

I don't care if the best handicappers are from Mars.

If someone here can handicap a game and make me some money - that is the only thing that matters.

Now, can someone over there tell me who is going to win the Champions League and what the HELL happened to Liverpool today?

[Dark Horse]

Agree with BB, primarily because an above-board activity is going to have more professionals (statisticians etc) dedicated to it than an underground one.

Well, horses are legal in US and Europe, so that would be the best place to compare.

I just think that US sports with two outcomes are easier to beat than Euro sports (soccer) with three outcomes. Easier to develop ATS stats and go deeper.

Also, for better or worse, and barring exceptions, US people don't put the limitations on themselves that Europeans do. The spirit that the sky is the limit, which is prevalent in the US, or at least used to be, is virtually unknown in Europe. So even though education is clearly worse in the US, you see a much higher percentage of successful entrepreneurs.

And gambling is just an expression of entrepreneurism...

[WileOut]

This is a very simple question to answer. The USA has a much bigger pool of people to select from, so our pro's will always be better than Englands. The more you have to pick from the better your team will be.

[Santo]

See: USA Soccer team, USA Rugby team.

Total population is not a successful indicator.

Does the US have more pro handicappers than Europe? Probably not.

[tacomax]

This is a very simple question to answer. The USA has a much bigger pool of people to select from, so our pro's will always be better than Englands. The more you have to pick from the better your team will be.

This is US vs Euro, not US vs England.

The population of Europe was 728,000,000 in 2005 as the United Nations advised. The population of the United States is less than half that. So, according to your logic, Europe has a much bigger pool of people to select from, so European professionals will always be better than those from the US.

[Willie Bee]

What is the point of wrapping everything up in flags?

I'm going to trust myself and several other 'yanks' on this site to put out the best stuff possible on most American sports, especially baseball, I'm going to listen to those from the right side of the pond to educate me about Euro/World stuff like soccer, and when it comes to elephant soccer, I'll listen to the Thais

[20Four7]

I personally think Canadians are much better but you didn't ask that.

I think any pro will be good at what he does, whether it's soccer, poker, hockey, baseball, baskets, football or whatever.

When I bet soccer I want the asian handicaps just because I like that style of betting (altho I hate this pk +.5 mixed crap). Give me a spread or number to work with and let me be.

I"m sure if you ran a contest and put up some Finish Metis hockey lines, German handball lines you would find we all pretty much suck at it.

I'm sure once Taco's msg gets to Jaime UK then he'll give us all the definitive answer.

[raiders72002]

Much better professional handicappers, sharps, in the US but Europeans have done quite well scalping, bonus whoring.

Some huge players in Asia.

[Willie Bee]

I'm sure once Taco's msg gets to Jaime UK then he'll give us all the definitive answer.

Good post

[Dark Horse]

The whole point in Europe is to gravitate towards the middle. If you stick your head above the grass, it'll be mowed off.

The whole point in the US is to gravitate away from the middle. Towards incredible success or total failure. No social safety net as in Europe.

Oversimplified, but nonetheless true. So you tell me. Who are the gamblers?

[goldengoat]

i say set up a challenge

get 5 U.S. cappers vs 5 Euro cappers (do we habe 5 Euros at SBR?)

5 plays per weekend per person

over the next 5 weeks

let's get it on!

[jjgold]

Jews are the best period

Canadians Second

Euros third

America

[Willie Bee]

Jews are the best period

Well, there you have it. Oz has spoken

[Dark Horse]

Lol

[raiders72002]

Coach is correct. The "Kosher Boys" are very good.

[imgv94]

Is anyone from U.S going to say Europe?
Is anyone from Europe going to say U.S?

It depends on the ratio of recreational and professional players.


Jews are very good with money..

[Santo]

i say set up a challenge

get 5 U.S. cappers vs 5 Euro cappers (do we habe 5 Euros at SBR?)

5 plays per weekend per person

over the next 5 weeks

let's get in on!

Tennis and Snooker, right? ;-)

[WileOut]

See: USA Soccer team, USA Rugby team.

Total population is not a successful indicator.

Does the US have more pro handicappers than Europe? Probably not.

This means nothing because only the queers who get abused in high school turn to soccer for some gay loving. I grew up in a big US city and I dont know or have ever heard of any rugby team or anyone who has ever played rugby. Its non existent here. Our athletic resources are completely dedicated to real football, baseball, and basketball. Some track and field and tennis mixed in.

None of our decent athletes play soccer and nobody at all plays rugby. Most probably havent even heard of rugby

Tacomax you are right I misread the thread. So you are correct if we are talking about europe as a whole that is a different story. However america has a way of developing the best talent at everything we do. Therefore I would probably still give the edge to america.

[Santo]

And people wonder why America's reputation is going south

[tacomax]

[WileOut]

No disrespect to soccer players of course. I played soccer myself but luckily didn't turn out gay. Great sport soccer is. Just not paid attention to in this country.

[numptie]

Looks like jamie_UK cant be tempted to post. Maybe this will help.

English are the worst cappers of all because their eyes are too close together and they all look like that guy Dowie that used to manage West Ham.

[BigBollocks]

I didn't know Jews were an option. If I'd known that, obviously I'd have selected them. I grew up in a primarily Jewish community, and they are so cunning and unscrupulous when it comes to money it is crazy.