Da Vinci Academy

Master the Art of Betting

Learn the fundamentals of sports betting and how to use Da Vinci to make smarter, data-driven decisions. From odds basics to advanced analytics.

Betting Basics

Essential knowledge every bettor should understand before placing their first wager.

How Odds Work

American odds show profit on $100. Negative odds (-110) mean bet $110 to win $100. Positive odds (+150) mean bet $100 to win $150.

-110 odds = 52.4% implied probability

Bankroll Management

Never bet more than 1-5% of your bankroll on a single play. Flat betting (same units) protects against variance.

$1000 bankroll = $10-50 per bet

Key Terminology

Moneyline = pick the winner. Spread = margin of victory. Totals = combined score. Props = player stats. Parlay = multiple bets combined.

Lakers -5.5 means they must win by 6+

Understanding Value

Edge = your probability minus implied probability. If you think a team wins 60% but odds imply 52%, you have 8% edge.

60% model prob - 52% implied = 8% edge

Using Da Vinci

Get the most out of our platform and features to maximize your edge.

Understanding Signals

BOLT signals have 72%+ confidence and 6%+ edge - our highest conviction plays. STRONG signals have 65%+ conf, 4%+ edge. VALUE signals show positive expected value.

Pro tip: Focus on BOLT signals for your best plays

Reading Pick Cards

Win Chance shows model confidence. Edge shows value vs market. The pick line shows the recommended bet. Signal badges indicate conviction level.

Pro tip: Higher edge = more value, higher confidence = more certainty

Using the Explorers

Moneylines for outright winners, Spreads for point margins, Totals for over/under, Props for player stats. Filter by sport, sort by edge or confidence.

Pro tip: Sort by edge to find the best value plays

Parlay Lab

Build multi-leg parlays from our picks. The correlation analyzer warns when legs are related. SGP blocks show same-game combinations.

Pro tip: Avoid parlaying correlated legs

Track Your Performance

Save picks with the TRACK button to monitor results. View your personal ROI, win rate, and performance by sport in Analytics.

Pro tip: Track consistently to learn what works for you

Signal Types

How we classify our predictions by conviction level. Higher signals mean higher confidence.

BOLT
72%+ / 6%+

Confidence / Edge

Our highest conviction plays. These are rare but powerful opportunities where all signals align.

STRONG
65%+ / 4%+

Confidence / Edge

High-quality opportunities with solid model support and meaningful edge against the market.

VALUE
60%+ / 3%+

Confidence / Edge

Positive expected value picks with acceptable confidence. Good for building volume.

Advanced Topics

Take your analysis to the next level with professional-grade concepts.

Sharp Money Indicators

Steam moves show rapid line changes. Reverse line movement (RLM) occurs when the line moves opposite public betting. Pinnacle odds represent sharp money.

Line Movement Analysis

Opening lines reflect bookmaker projections. Closing lines reflect all market information. Getting the best number (CLV) is key to long-term profit.

Model vs Market

Our models use 100+ features including ELO, form, injuries, and sentiment. Edge is found when model probability differs significantly from market implied probability.

Ready to Start Winning?

Put your knowledge into action with AI-powered predictions. Join thousands of bettors who trust Da Vinci.