Using Sharp Books this NBA Season 🔥

The NBA is back 🔥

Our engineers rebuilt the Sharp Books model from the ground up, making it faster, smarter, and more consumable than ever.

Sharp Books helps you identify edges by letting you pick which sportsbook you want to treat as the sharp source, then compares its odds against other books to reveal mispriced lines and potential value opportunities.

Let's go through a couple of examples to illustrate what the Sharp Books model is and how to use it.

Example 1: SAC @ PHO Over 227.5 -110

In this first example, the Sharp Books model is using Pinnacle as its sharp reference. Pinnacle is widely considered one of the most efficient sportsbooks in the market.

The Optimal+ Sharp Books model compared Pinnacle's odds to the rest of the market and spotted an opportunity on FanDuel to take Over 227.5 at -110 in the Kings vs Suns game.

In the screenshot, you'll see we're comparing FanDuel's -110 odds to the model projected odds of -115.

Here's how that -115 is calculated:

In the screenshot below, you can see Pinnacle has the market set at -126 on the Over and +106 on the Under. When you devig those odds (meaning you remove the sportsbook's built-in juice or "vig"), you get -115 on the Over and +115 on the Under.

Devigging creates a fair, balanced market. So if you can find the Over priced at -114 or better, or the Under at +116 or better, that play theoretically becomes positive expected value (+EV), meaning it has long-term profitability in your favor.

Example 2: Myles Turner Over 1.5 3PT Made -132

In this example, the Sharp Books model is using Novig as the sharp reference point.

Novig is a peer-to-peer betting exchange, meaning lines are set directly by market participants rather than a traditional sportsbook. Because money moves quickly on both sides of the market, Novig's prices often reflect true, efficient odds driven by sharp action.

The Optimal+ Sharp Books model compared Novig's odds with the rest of the market and found a profitable opportunity on Myles Turner Over 1.5 Three-Pointers Made at -132.

Using Novig, the model projected odds is -150, while Rhode Island Sportsbook is still offering it at -132.

That difference creates a +5.5% EV edge, meaning you're betting at a better price than what the sharp market considers fair value.

In the screenshot, you can see the comparison:

Here's how we get that sharp line:

Novig's market is -155 on the Over and +147 on the Under.

When those odds are devigged (the process of removing the sportsbook's built-in margin to reveal the true 50/50 midpoint), you get a fair price of roughly -150 / +150.

So, when you find -132 available elsewhere, it's a clear positive expected-value (+EV) opportunity.

Over time, consistently taking prices better than the sharp market like this is what separates casual bettors from profitable ones.

In this particular case, you'll notice there's even an arbitrage opportunity. You can take the Over at -132 and the Under at +147, assuming you have access to both of these platforms.

You can pick which Sharp Books you want to use by leveraging the "model" filters in the Optimal+ tab.

If there are other platforms you'd like to see included, let us know by replying to this email.

Best of luck this NBA season.

Stay sharp,

The Optimal Team

p.s. if you have any questions, hop into our Discord to learn more from the Optimal Team and the Optimal Community