Cappers Sports Picks

Age: 63 (turns 64 in November).

Years in handicapping: Larry entered his 34th year in the industry in August of 2017.

Achievements in handicapping: 1985 Castaway’s Pro Football Challenge Champion, then the most prestigious handicapping contest in Las Vegas; 1999 Stardust Invitational semi-finalist.

A member of the original cast of Proline, the nation’s longest running pre-game handicapping show on the USA-TV network (also hosted Sports Desk on the same network). Although well-known on TV for his expert game analysis and no-nonsense handicapping style, Larry may be best known for his radio work. He hosted his own syndicated call-in radio show, Sports Central. It aired live from Bally's Casino in Las Vegas in the early to mid-90s and at one time was heard in more than 100 markets.

Systems used for handicapping a game: Fundamental and statistical analysis. "I'm not typically a trend and system kind of guy," Ness says. "I look at team strengths and weaknesses and compare them. It’s an all-encompassing thing and over 30-plus years, you get good at it."

34-Club Play: It represents Larry's 34 years in the business and gets his highest star rating (10*s). Expect no more than one of these plays per month, per sport during the regular season.

LEGEND Play: Larry's often been referred to as a Las Vegas legend and he's 'borrowed' the title for his other "signature play.". Larry's LEGEND Plays were previously available to only a select group of private clients but they are now available to all, through the internet. Like his 34-Club plays, expect no more than one play per month, per sport (rated 10*s).

PERFECT STORM: Larry just added these plays the last few years and his accompanying expert analysis makes these popular plays self-explanatory (rated 9 or 10*s).

Situational Stunners: Larry's a fundamental handicapper at heart but he does pay attention to team and situational trends (especially in MLB). When his fundamental handicapping and a strong trend or situation match up, he releases a Situational Stunner. He just started releasing these plays in MLB '09 and he's expanded them since, to all sports (rated 8, 9 or 10*s).

Las Vegas Insider: Throughout his 34 years, Larry has become known as "the ultimate Las Vegas insider." The contacts he's developed over more than two decades (on both sides of the 'counter'), are arguably "unmatched!" He confers daily with 'his friends' and when "all the stars align on the same game," Larry releases an exclusive Las Vegas Insider (rated between 8 and 10*s).

Oddsmaker's Error Plays: Larry uses this term with "great respect" (and not very often), as he counts among his very closest friends many of Las Vegas' most famous and respected Sport Book directors (past and present). However, when Larry feels "the line is significantly off," he'll release one of these "not to be missed" plays (rated between 8 and 10*s).

Weekly and Weekend Wipeout Winners: Larry added this self-explanatory moniker just a few years ago. They've become immensely popular and why not? Who wouldn't want a game that has "blowout written all over it," supported by Larry's expert analysis (rated between 8 and 10*s).

Late-Breaking Plays: Larry will always go back and take a "second look" at each day's card, after posting all his games. When he finds something he missed the first time around, he'll release a Late-Breaking Play. These plays are more prevalent in sports like baseball and basketball than football (typically rated at 8 or 9*s).

Superstar Triple Play: Over the years, many of Larry's regular clients have clamored for more three-game reports. You asked for it and Larry's responded. Back in the late 1980s and into the mid 1990s, 900-numbers became "the rage." While a panel member of Proline (see above), Larry created the Superstar Triple Play. One call got you three Superstar Triple Plays (in a particular sport). For almost a decade, anywhere from 1,500 to 3,500 callers responded each weekend, when Larry offered his famous "Superstar Triple Play" pitch on Proline. Starting in 2009, Larry began going "Back to the Future!" Almost every Saturday (college) and Sunday (NFL) this football season, get three plays on a single report from Larry (many will be TV games), the originator of the "Superstar Triple Play!"

Release Times: Larry likes to release his picks early so that clients have as much time as possible to shop around. NFL and College Football plays are posted very early in the week (sometimes almost up to a week in advance.) NBA, College hoops and NHL are all posted the day before the game goes off. And the same goes for MLB, with selections posted the night before the game. Sometimes life gets in the way and Ness won't release until the morning of the game, but for the majority of the year Larry likes to say: "The earlier the better!" 

Sports and conferences he excels at handicapping: MLB is Larry's favorite sports to handicap, saying the money is in the statistics. He 'loves' the daily action and the long season. "If I had to pick one sport, I would chose baseball because you’re playing pitchers, streaks, teams that are hot and cold," Ness says. "I also love the NBA and NFL playoffs, the college bowl games plus the college basketball tourneys, which are seasons unto themselves."

Quote: "No one works any harder and my work-product speaks for itself," Ness says. "I have a no-nonsense style and my logic is easy to follow. Anyone buying my plays will know exactly what I was thinking when I made the selection. After 34 years, the Larry Ness brand is instantly recognizable and my analysis ranks with the best in the industry."