WHAT IS THE VALUE INDEX:

  The VALUE INDEX is a rating system that reflects each team's home,
away, and overall performance for the season.  These ratings can be used to
determine a predicted pointspread and the total points scored for each
game.  These can then be compared to a betting line to determine if there is
any value.  When there is a significant point difference between the VALUE
INDEX and the betting line, an investment is recommended.  A difference of
at least 2 points would be considered a play.

NOTE: This difference is more meaningful the closer the betting line
is to a pick'em.  For example, say you have found two games where the
difference between the VALUE INDEX predicted margin of victory and the
betting line is 4 points.  If the betting line in one of the games has
a team that is favored by 25 points and the other game has a team that is
favored by 2 points, the game with the 2 point favorite would have more value.


HOW TO USE THE VALUE INDEX:

  The VALUE INDEX for determining the predicted pointspread between two teams
is based on a scale where a team value rating of 50 is average.  Teams with a
value higher than 50 are above average and a value lower than 50 are below
average.  Values are displayed for team performance at HOME, AWAY, and
OVERALL.  To calculate a predicted pointspread,  compare the values of both
teams and subtract the value of the lower rated team from the value of the
higher rated team.  Using the NFL Value Index Ratings below, if Atlanta was
playing at Denver, you would compare the AWAY value of Atlanta (46.5) to the
HOME value of Denver (57.5) and subtract the lower value from the higher
value.  Denver would be a 11 point favorite.  Compare that to the actual
betting line to see which team has the most value.

 Sample: NFL TEAM VALUE INDEX POWER RATINGS
 --------------------------------------------------------------
              POINTSPREAD VALUE INDEX |  OVER/UNDER VALUE INDEX
 TEAM            HOME   AWAY  NEUTRAL |   HOME   AWAY  NEUTRAL
 -------------------------------------|------------------------
 ATLANTA         48.5   46.5   47.0   |   24.0   23.0   23.5
 -------------------------------------|------------------------
 DENVER          57.5   54.0   55.5   |   22.5   21.5   21.5
 -------------------------------------|------------------------

  The VALUE INDEX for determining total points scored between two teams is
based on team performance at HOME, AWAY, and NEUTRAL.  To calculate a
predicted over/under total, compare the values of both teams and simply add
them together.  Using the NFL Value Index Ratings below, if Atlanta was
playing at Denver, you would add the AWAY value of Atlanta (23.0) to the HOME
value of Denver (22.5).  The predicted point total would be 45.5.  Compare
that to the actual betting line over/under total to see which one has the most
value.

NOTE:  When using the VALUE INDEX to predict the pointspread or the over/under
total for a game, use the NEUTRAL performance catagory if the game is being
played on a neutral surface.

The Value Index was created and maintained by Mike Seba of LVSC.