Sharp and public behavior changes from sport to sport because each market has different levels of information, different betting volume, and different timing patterns. The NFL has the clearest split because the market is massive and predictable. Sharps hit openers early in the week, and the public piles in late on favorites, overs, and popular teams. The NBA is driven by injury news and rotations. Sharps attack totals and props when information breaks, while the public bets stars, overs, and home teams. MLB is shaped by starting pitchers and weather. Sharps move moneylines and totals early, while the public bets favorites and recent form. The NHL is influenced by goalie news and pace. Sharps move sides and totals when goalies are confirmed, while the public bets home teams and popular franchises. College sports vary widely because information quality is inconsistent. Sharps attack mismatches and bad numbers early, while the public bets brands and rankings. Each sport has its own rhythm, but the underlying behavior is the same: sharps chase value, the public chases comfort.

Line movement reveals who is shaping the market. Sharp movement is fast, direct, and usually happens early or immediately after new information. Public movement is slower, gradual, and usually happens closer to game time. Sharp movement corrects the number. Public movement inflates the number. A line that moves early is usually reacting to sharp money. A line that moves late is usually reacting to public money. A line that moves both early and late is reacting to both forces. Some lines freeze because the book is confident in the number. Some lines bounce because sharps disagree. Some lines drift because the public is pushing it in one direction. Some lines snap back because sharps hit the inflated price. Reading movement is about understanding intent. Sharps move lines because the price is wrong. The public moves lines because the team is popular. The bettor who understands the difference knows when a move is meaningful and when it is noise.