A steam move happens when a line shifts quickly and at once across the market. It's usually triggered by large bets from respected sharp bettors or betting syndicates.
Bettors who "chase steam" try to bet the same side at sportsbooks that haven't moved yet. It's hard to do consistently, because sportsbooks react within seconds.
Steam is one type of line movement. A move against the side most of the public is betting is called reverse line movement.
How it works
Steam is about speed. A line drifting a point over a few days is normal line movement. Steam is when several sportsbooks move the same way within seconds or minutes.
It usually starts with a large bet, or a coordinated group of bets, at one or more sportsbooks. Other books see the move and copy it to avoid being picked off at the old price.
Some things to keep in mind:
- You're usually late. By the time you notice steam, most books have already moved.
- The bettors who caused it may be gone. Some bet early and then hedge at the new number.
- Not all steam is sharp. Breaking news, like a quarterback being ruled out, causes the same pattern.
Bettors who try to follow steam need fast access to many sportsbooks, and sportsbooks often limit accounts that do it regularly.
Examples
- Example 1
Within two minutes, a game moves from +3 to +1.5 at five sportsbooks. One book still shows +3. A steam chaser would try to bet +3 there before it moves.
- Example 2
A moneyline jumps from -120 to -145. The implied probability goes from about 54.5% to 59.2% in one move.
Common questions
What does it mean when a line is steaming?
It's moving quickly in one direction at many sportsbooks at once, usually because of big bets or important news.
Is following steam a good strategy?
It's hard to do well. You need to be faster than the sportsbooks, and most bettors only see the move after the value has gone.