Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT IS THE HANDICAPPER?
The Handicapper is a web application that leverages player and team data to project daily box scores for every game across professional American sports and the English Premier League. The Handicapper helps you uncover value to make smarter betting decisions and beat your bookie.

The Handicapper creates projections for every game of the season in five different sports and six different leagues. Each league has its own model, which is based on a dynamic modelling framework and a lot of data. In previous versions of The Handicapper it was possible for the user to set model parameters and change lineups. This part is now integrated in the process and the user can just swipe through the projections to find value bets. The models have also evolved and are now more accurate and even better than before. The biggest change is that for NHL, football (soccer) and NFL to some extent we use team level data instead of a bottom-up approach with player-level data. This way we can model especially defensive ability a lot better. For some of the sports we have several projection models to choose from. 'TheHandicapper' is the default model but there are options for the user who wants to have a different view on a matchup (eg. 'XgTrend' for Premier League/Serie A and NHL).
WHICH LEAGUES ARE INCLUDED?
Currently MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL, EPL (Premier League) and Serie A are included.
DOES THE HANDICAPPER WORK ON MOBILE DEVICES?
The Handicapper works on most web browsers and devices (including mobile devices).
HOW SHOULD THE PROJECTIONS BE USED?
Our projected box scores also are accompanied with projected fair odds and lines. By comparing our projected odds / lines to those posted by bookmakers, you will identify which games to avoid and which ones provide the largest edge.
HOW ARE THE PROJECTIONS CREATED?
The application uses dynamic and predictive models to handicap games. Each sports/league sport has its own model which is algorithmically derived to create accurate, data-driven predictions for every game of the season. Our prediction engine leverages combinations of quantitative methods (e.g. moving averages, exponential smoothing, regression analysis, z-scores etc.) to support a flexible and dynamic framework / model relevant for each sport. The models within The Handicapper are tested on a regular basis and updated if something changes in the dynamics of the underlying market (rules, equipment etc.) or the explanatory power of some factor diminishes.
HOW DOES THE DATA PART WORK?
The team- and player data that the application uses comes from various sources and is updated and pre-processed each day. We use various data sources to gather raw player-level game data. This data is fetched to our databases and transformed to match our needs. This process is automated and standardised to ensure that if we need to change something it can be easily done.
HOW OFTEN IS THE DATA UPDATED?
Daily.
QUANTAMENTAL APPROACH
Even if we are firm believers of a quantitative approach, practice has shown, that relying purely on quantitative models might not be an optimal path to success. A good model can be superior in many aspects, but things can also go very wrong when blindly following it. That's why the recommendation is to use the predictions The Handicapper creates as just one of several inputs to your decision to place (or not place) a bet.

WHAT IS THE HANDICAPPER?
The Handicapper is a web application that leverages player and team data to project daily box scores for every game across professional American sports and the English Premier League. The Handicapper helps you uncover value to make smarter betting decisions and beat your bookie.

The Handicapper creates projections for every game of the season in five different sports and six different leagues. Each league has its own model, which is based on a dynamic modelling framework and a lot of data. In previous versions of The Handicapper it was possible for the user to set model parameters and change lineups. This part is now integrated in the process and the user can just swipe through the projections to find value bets. The models have also evolved and are now more accurate and even better than before. The biggest change is that for NHL, football (soccer) and NFL to some extent we use team level data instead of a bottom-up approach with player-level data. This way we can model especially defensive ability a lot better. For some of the sports we have several projection models to choose from. 'TheHandicapper' is the default model but there are options for the user who wants to have a different view on a matchup (eg. 'XgTrend' for Premier League/Serie A and NHL).
WHICH LEAGUES ARE INCLUDED?
Currently MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL, EPL (Premier League) and Serie A are included.
DOES THE HANDICAPPER WORK ON MOBILE DEVICES?
The Handicapper works on most web browsers and devices (including mobile devices).
HOW SHOULD THE PROJECTIONS BE USED?
Our projected box scores also are accompanied with projected fair odds and lines. By comparing our projected odds / lines to those posted by bookmakers, you will identify which games to avoid and which ones provide the largest edge.
HOW ARE THE PROJECTIONS CREATED?
The application uses dynamic and predictive models to handicap games. Each sports/league sport has its own model which is algorithmically derived to create accurate, data-driven predictions for every game of the season. Our prediction engine leverages combinations of quantitative methods (e.g. moving averages, exponential smoothing, regression analysis, z-scores etc.) to support a flexible and dynamic framework / model relevant for each sport. The models within The Handicapper are tested on a regular basis and updated if something changes in the dynamics of the underlying market (rules, equipment etc.) or the explanatory power of some factor diminishes.
HOW DOES THE DATA PART WORK?
The team- and player data that the application uses comes from various sources and is updated and pre-processed each day. We use various data sources to gather raw player-level game data. This data is fetched to our databases and transformed to match our needs. This process is automated and standardised to ensure that if we need to change something it can be easily done.
HO OFTEN IS THE DATA UPDATED?
Daily.
QUANTAMENTAL APPROACH
Even if we are firm believers of a quantitative approach, practice has shown, that relying purely on quantitative models might not be an optimal path to success. A good model can be superior in many aspects, but things can also go very wrong when blindly following it. That's why the recommendation is to use the predictions The Handicapper creates as just one of several inputs to your decision to place (or not place) a bet.