Trusted Since 1992

66-time handicapping champ Al McMordie welcomes you to Big Al's Sports Picks, your home for winning sports predictions. Get expert sports picks every day from 20 of the world's best handicappers.

Best Bets

Top Offshore Sportsbooks

1

2

3

4

5

Terms and conditions apply to all bonus offers. Visit sportsbook for details.

Bet Smarter

Our mission is to make you a smarter (and better) gambler.

Play Confidently

Each pick comes with detailed analysis from champion handicappers.

Honesty and Transparency

We publish our results, and our records are 100% accurate.

I have been a client of Big Al's since 1996, and love his sharp analysis. Big Al was BIG DATA before anyone ever heard of BIG DATA!! His data-driven takes are *crucial* for avoiding the emotional traps and recency bias that bury most bettors.

Joe House - Podcast Host and Contributor

The Ringer Podcast Network

I have relied on Al McMordie’s insight and acumen for years — He’s experienced, he’s honest, and he has a completely proprietary approach to handicapping that I guarantee will add a fresh advantage to your action.

Nick Bakay

Los Angeles, CA

I joined Big Al in the late 1990s, and he's the most successful handicapper I've ever used. 2019 was an unbelievable year. We won our NCAA Basketball futures wager on Virginia, then hit the Nationals to win the World Series (I had both tickets at 22-1), and capped off 2019 with our 8th straight winning NFL season. Cheers!

Christian Lo

Hong Kong

I'm a numbers guy, so what I love about Al is that he doesn't pick games based on his gut instinct. When Al gives me a play, it's based on numbers and his database, which ESPN called the "most valuable sports handicapping database" in the world. Al's the best, and I'm a client for life.

Jerry Cohen

Cherry Hill, NJ

Big Al's completely turned me around as a bettor. I used to bet five minutes before game time, and at just one book. Now, I shop for lines and get most of my football action in on Tuesdays and my basketball action in at 6 am. I get much better numbers and I win a helluva lot more. Thanks Al!

Scott G.

Cleveland, OH

I've been with Big Al since 1992, and I've also used other handicappers. I have found Big Al to be the most diligent, hard-working and sophisticated handicapper. More importantly, he provides the best results.

M.S.

Long Island, NY

If Big Al makes a Futures recommendation - you MUST take note!! In the past couple of years, I cashed in on the Astros (2017) & Nationals (2019) in the World Series along with Virginia (2019) in the NCAAB Championship! All three were released before the season and CASHED at Juicy Double-Digit Odds!

D.K.

Las Vegas, NV

Big Al's approach is both analytical and contrarian, which I love. But he also has the experience and the historical perspective that's only gained from doing this for decades. I like to bet large amounts of money on games, so I need to trust the information. And there's no one I trust more than Al.

JPF

Las Vegas, NV

I first came across Big Al in an ESPN article. I joined him for the next NFL season and he actually had a losing year. But I could tell from his analysis that he knew what he was doing, so I signed up the next season, and he hit it out of the park. I've been with him nine years now, and all he's done is won the last eight NFL seasons in a row!

William Garrison

Dallas, TX

My first year with Big Al was in 2000, when I thought I would have a go at betting on American football. He went 10-0 in the NFL Playoffs! I couldn't believe it. I figured he had inside info, but it's really just superior skill. I live in Australia, and love Al's early release schedule. The games are out by 5 am (7 pm Australia time), so I can get the bets in! Big Al's picks are great, and his service is equally great.

Chris Thompson

Darling Point, NSW, Australia

Top handicapper
ESPN
No one has been as consistent over time as McMordie
Las Vegas Sporting News
One of the nation's top technical handicappers
Las Vegas Review-Journal

Free $90 of Coupons
for Premium Picks

Registration Required

2025

#1 NFL/NCAAF Combo Return on Risk

#1 NFL Playoffs Net Profit

#2 NCAA Bowls Win Percentage

2024

#1 NBA/NCAAB Combo Return on Risk

#1 NBA Regular Season Win Percentage

#1 NCAA Bowls Net Profit

#2 NCAAB Regular Season Net Profit

2024

Cashed Preseason Futures Wager on the Boston Celtics @ 4-1 odds to win the NBA Championship

2023

#1 NBA/NCAAB Combo Return on Risk

#1 NBA Playoffs Win Percentage

#3 NCAA Basketball Net Profit

#7 NFL/NCAAF Combo Return on Risk

2022

#1 NBA/NCAAB Combo Return on Risk

#1 NBA/NCAAB Combo Win Percentage

#1 NBA/NCAAB Combo Net Profit

#3 NBA Regular Season Return on Risk

2021

#1 NBA/NCAAB Combo - Win Percentage

#2 NCAAB - Net Wins

#7 NFL Playoffs - Return on Risk

#10 NCAA Bowls - Return on Risk

2021

Cashed Preseason Futures Wager on the Milwaukee Bucks @ 13-2 odds to win NBA Championship

2021

Cashed Preseason Futures Wager on Baylor @ 12-1 odds to win NCAA Basketball Title

2020

Cashed Preseason Futures Wager on the Los Angeles Dodgers @ 4-1 odds to win MLB World Series

2020

Cashed Preseason Futures Wager on the Tampa Bay Lightning @ 7-1 odds to win NHL Stanley Cup

2019

Cashed Preseason Futures Wager on Virginia @ 22-1 odds to win NCAA Basketball Title

2019

Cashed Futures Wager on Washington Nationals @ 18-1 odds to win MLB World Series

2018

#1 NFL-Net Wins

#2 NCAAB-Net Profit

#2 NBA-Net Profit

2017

#1 NHL - Return on Risk

#3 March Madness - Net Wins

#4 MLB Playoffs - Net Wins

2017

Cashed Preseason Futures Wager on Houston Astros @ 10-1 odds to win MLB World Series

2016

#2 NCAA Football - Net Profit

#2 NHL - Return on Risk

#3 MLB - Net Wins

2016

Cashed Preseason Futures Wager on Golden State Warriors @ 5-1 odds to win NBA Championship

2015

#1 (of 1727 entrants) Las Vegas Westgate Casino NFL Mini-Contest

2014

Cashed Preseason Futures Wager on San Antonio Spurs @ 14-1 odds to win NBA Championship

2014

#1 NHL - Net Profit

#5 NBA - Win Percentage

#5 NFL - Net Profit

Buy 3 Get 1 Free.
It's Game Time!

Articles

All Articles

NBA System of the Week

by Al McMordie

Thursday, Mar 27, 2025

Sports handicappers have many tools in their toolbox that they use to get an edge on the bookmakers.  When I handicap the NBA, I like to look at things like margin of victory, points scored, home/road statistics, won/loss percentages, and so forth.  Another thing I will often look at is the series history between the two teams, with a particular focus on which team won the previous meeting, and by how many points.Tonight, we have a nice situation in the NBA.  The Los Angeles Lakers will be in Chicago to face the Bulls, who just walloped L.A. at Staples Center five days ago, 146-115.  And what made that loss even more remarkable was that the Lakers were favored by 10.5 points, yet lost by 31.I consulted my trusty NBA Database (which was written up in ESPN Magazine on December 13, 2010), and researched how teams do when playing with revenge from such a big defeat earlier in the season.  And here's what I found.  Teams playing with revenge from a same-season loss by 30 or more points do quite well provided two other factors were present.  First, our revenge-minded team need to be the favorite.  And, second, our opponent needed to be off a SU/ATS win.  In that situation, our revengers have gone 73-46-1 ATS since 1990.Let's look deeper at our Chicago Bulls/Los Angeles Lakers match-up tonight.  The Lakers played last night, so there's always a chance they might rest players.  However, currently, both Luka Doncic and LeBron James are expected to suit up, and L.A. is a 4-point favorite at Circa Sportsbook.  That's good, since our revenger does need to be the favorite.  Next, we need the Bulls to be off a SU/ATS win.  And, indeed, they are, as they defeated Denver, 129-119, in their previous game.NBA System of the Week:  Play on a favorite with revenge from a loss earlier in the season by 30 or more points, if its opponent is off a SU/ATS win. Tonight's play:  Los Angeles Lakers -4Good luck, as always,Al McMordie

Read more

Big Al's Daily Angle: NBA, NHL, NCAAB and MLB Previews and Odds - 03/27/2025

by Big Al Staff

Thursday, Mar 27, 2025

 The Thursday sports card features NBA, NHL, NCAAB, and MLB action. The National Basketball Association has eight games on its docket. Three NBA games tip off at 7:10 p.m. ET. The Indiana Pacers travel to Washington to play the Wizards as an 11-point road favorite with the total set at 235.5 (all odds from DraftKings). The Orlando Magic host the Dallas Mavericks as a 6-point favorite with an over/under of 219. The Cleveland Cavaliers play at home against the San Antonio Spurs as a 13.5-point favorite with a total of 239. The Miami Heat are home against the Atlanta Hawks at 7:40 p.m. ET as a 1.5-point favorite with an over/under of 227. Two NBA games start at 8:10 p.m. ET. The Los Angeles Lakers play in Chicago against the Bulls as a 3.5-point road favorite with a total of 239. The Oklahoma City Thunder host the Memphis Grizzlies as a 10-point favorite with an over/under of 238. The Houston Rockets are in Utah to play the Jazz at 9:10 p.m. ET as a 12.5-point road favorite with a total of 228. The Sacramento Kings play at home against the Portland Trail Blazers as a 5.5-point favorite with an over/under of 225.5.The National Hockey League has ten games on its slate. Four NHL games drop the puck at 7:07 p.m. ET. The Buffalo Sabres are home against the Pittsburgh Penguins as a -135 money-line favorite with a total of 6.5. The Montreal Canadiens visit Philadelphia to play the Flyers as a -120 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The Tampa Bay Lightning host the Utah Hockey Club as a -198 money-line favorite with a total of 6.5. The Ottawa Senators play in Detroit against the Red Wings as a -130 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 5.5.The Washington Capitals are in Minnesota to play the Wild at 7:37 p.m. ET as a -162 money-line road favorite with a total of 5.5. The St. Louis Blues travel to Nashville to face the Predators at 8:07 p.m. ET as a -135 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The Dallas Stars play in Calgary against the Flames at 9:07 p.m. ET as a -148 money-line road favorite with a total of 5.5. Two NHL games begin at 10:07 p.m. ET. The Colorado Avalanche play at home against the Los Angeles Kings on ESPN as a -155 money-line favorite with an over/under of 5.5. The Edmonton Oilers are in Seattle to play the Kraken with both teams priced as a -110 money-line favorite with a total of 6.5. The Toronto Maple Leafs visit San Jose to play the Sharks at 10:37 p.m. ET as a -278 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 5.5.The NCAAB college basketball schedule has four games between Division I opponents in the opening games of the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament. Alabama battles BYU on CBS at 7:09 p.m. ET at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, as a 5.5-point favorite with a total of 175.5. Florida takes on Maryland on TBS at 7:39 p.m. ET at the Chase Center in San Francisco, California, as a 6.5-point favorite with an over/under of 156.5. Duke plays against Arizona on CBS at 9:39 p.m. ET at the Prudential  Center in Newark as a 9.5-point favorite with a total of 153.5. Texas Tech challenges Arkansas on TBS at 10:09 p.m. ET at the Chase Center in San Francisco as a 5.5-point favorite with an over/under of 148.5. Opening Day in Major League Baseball has 14 games on its schedule. The New York Yankees are home against the Milwaukee Brewers on ESPN at 3:05 p.m. ET as a -155 money-line favorite with a total of 8. The Baltimore Orioles play in Toronto to take on the Blue Jays at 3:07 p.m. ET as a -112 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 8.5. Two more MLB games throw out the first pitch at 4:05 p.m. ET. The Boston Red Sox are in Texas to play the Rangers as a -115 money-line road favorite with a total of 7.5. The Philadelphia Phillies travel to Washington to play the Nationals as a -170 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 7. Six MLB games begin at 4:10 p.m. ET. The Los Angeles Angels play in Chicago against the White Sox as a -155 money-line road favorite with a total of 8. The Houston Astros host the New York Mets as a -130 money-line favorite with an over/under of 8. The Kansas City Royals play at home against the Cleveland Guardians as a -130 money-line favorite with a total of 7.5. The Atlanta Braves are in San Diego to go against the Padres as a -130 money-line road favorite with an over/under of 7. The Pittsburgh Penguins travel to Miami to take on the Marlins as a -155 money-line road favorite with a total of 6.5. The San Francisco Giants play in Cincinnati to challenge the Reds with both teams priced at -110 with an over/under of 8. The Minnesota Twins are in St. Louis to battle the Cardinals at 4:15 p.m. ET as a -118 money-line road favorite with a total of 7.5.The Los Angeles Dodgers are home against the Detroit Tigers on ESPN at 7:10 p.m. ET as a -184 money-line favorite with an over/under of 7. Two games conclude the MLB card at 10:10 p.m. ET. The Seattle Mariners host the Oakland A’s as a -175 money-line favorite with a total of 7. The Arizona Diamondbacks play at home against the Chicago Cubs as a -130 money-line favorite with an over/under of 8.5. 

Read more

World Series Projections

by ASA, Inc.

Wednesday, Mar 26, 2025

Favorite - Philadelphia Phillies (+1000)The Dodgers are the overwhelming favorite to repeat as World Series champs, but the return is not favorable for LAD at +240. If one team has the ability to knock off the 2025 favorites, it is the Phillies. They currently have the 2nd highest active payroll and plenty of talent to compete with anyone in the league. Last season Philly finished with the second most wins, and dominated at home winning a league best 54 games at Citizen Bank Park. However, that sensational performance only amounted to a disappointing divisional series loss to the Mets in four games. On offense, Philadelphia has an elite top five of their batting order, projected as Trea Turner, Bryce Harper, Alec Bohm, Kyle Schwarber, and Nick Castellanos. Ranked top five in almost all offensive categories in 2024, except the Phillies to have elite bats once again. On defense, Zack Wheeler is the highest paid starter in baseball, while having exceptional depth behind him. Having a top tier roster (or payroll) is not necessary to win the World Series, but it certainly helps when trying to dethrone the heavily favored Dodgers. Philly is one of the few who can compete with them on paper. Mid-Tier - Detroit Tigers (+3000)Even though Detroit ended their season to Cleveland in the divisional round, losing the series 3-2, they still finished as one of the hottest teams in MLB. The Tigers were 55-63 in August, then finished the regular season 31-12, sporting the best pitching in the league during that stretch. A historic ending to 2024 leaves high hopes for Detroit in 2025. Pitching is the catalyst for the Tigers, led by reigning Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal. Reese Olson and Jack Flaherty are extremely solid while Jackson Jobe is possibly the best pitching prospect in the sport, with a flamethrower of an arm. With a rotation like that, the Tigers will be in a lot of close ball games. They led MLB in one run wins last season with 31, but hope to have a better run differential in 2025. They have an elite group of pitchers, making them dangerous for any team to face.  Long-Shot - Milwaukee Brewers (+5000)Each year the Brewers seem to lose a few of their best players, yet reload again and again in true moneyball fashion. They have made the playoffs in six of the past seven seasons which is one of the best marks in the league, especially considering their 23rd ranked payroll. Milwaukee had a top 5 team ERA last season, and the rotation is expected to be strong again with the return of star Brandon Woodruff. The batting is led by veteran Christian Yelich, William Contreras, and young star Jackson Chourio. The Brewers should once again be in contention for a NL Central title with the chance to make some noise come playoff time. Milwaukee seems to get the absolute most bang for their buck when it comes to players, maybe their World Series odds could provide some value as well.  

Read more

Game Previews

All Game Previews

Free newsletter

Get Free Picks, Big Game alerts, and Winning Info from our champion handicappers.

By clicking "Subscribe" you acknowledge that you are at least 21 years of age.

Ready to Win?
It's Game Time!

All photographic images used for editorial content have been licensed from the Associated Press.

© 2025 Al McMordie's BigAl.com. All Rights Reserved.