Over time, every fan develops a system for betting on sporting events. The key is to make this process as painless and simple as possible. Although no betting system is foolproof, using a number of tactics can maximize your chances of success.
Start with Small Bets
Many novice gamblers are worried about putting too much on the line. They worry they’ll blow through their entire bankroll in just a few bets. They’re afraid they’ll lose all their money in a few hours and they’ll lose so much that they’ll never be able to play again.
Focus on a Small Area
Many sports bettors have a mentality of “more is better,” thinking that if they make enough wagers, the wins will outweigh the losses. While that may work for some, the more wagers you make, the less attention you pay to each bet, which can lead to poor decision-making. So, how do you improve your focus? “Going small” can be a good way to improve your focus on the part of your betting process, such as how you choose bets, manage risk, find value, build your bankroll, and overall betting philosophy.
Make Moneyline Wagers
Moneyline bets are simple wagers directly involving the point spread or total, with no additional handicaps or props. When you place a moneyline wager on an NFL or college football game, you’re betting on which team will win.
Understand Home Team Bias
Your home team plays on your heartstrings when you’re watching them win. It’s easy to stand by your team if your hometown makes the championship game. But remember, you’re not just watching the game as a fan; you’re also analyzing it from a better perspective.
Line Shopping Is Profitable
In online gambling, line shopping refers to the practice of opening multiple accounts to take advantage of bonus offers from bookmakers. The idea is simple: take advantage of welcome offers, reload offers, and loyalty programs from multiple bookmakers to maximize your profits. However, there are things to consider before creating your own line shopping strategy.
Don’t Bet on Your Favorite Team.
While there’s nothing wrong with rooting for your favorite team, it may not always be the best strategy to bet on them. Being able to objectively analyze the sport and the teams involved is essential to winning a sports bet.
Understand the Sports Betting Profit Model
Understanding the sports betting profit model is key to betting profitably. Before placing a bet, you need to know how much money you can win and your potential loss. Your potential loss is the amount of money you can lose, while your potential win is what you aim to earn.
Learn the Key Positions by Sport
A lot is happening in the sports world, and it can be hard to keep up with everything. Read a few guides to some major positions in the most popular sports—including soccer, baseball, football, basketball, hockey, and volleyball.
Bigger Games Have Tighter Lines
Throughout the fall and winter months, there are thousands of NBA and NHL games, the NFL preseason, college football, and NASCAR races. With so many games, betting on the top games each week is a way for every sports fan to make in-game wagers. When the postseason rolls around and win-or-go-home stakes are high, players step up their game, the best teams perform even better, and the top players excel. Betting on these teams when the stakes are at their highest can be extremely fun and profitable.
Avoid Dangerous Sports
Sports are a fun and healthy way to spend your time and money, but they can also be dangerous. Sports-related injuries are common and can range from minor to life-threatening. Some injuries occur because the athlete is inexperienced or poorly trained, while others happen due to improper maintenance of sports facilities.
Treat Sports Betting like a Business
Learning how to bet properly is essential for staying afloat in the sports gambling world. The gambling mindset is driven by pure emotion, so becoming a successful sports bettor involves keeping a level head while letting go of your heart. Wagering with a logical approach demands treating your betting like a business, and the first step is setting up a business plan for yourself.
To bet fairly and legally, always avoid placing bets with bookmakers. Bookies are usually located in off-shore countries, which means they have little to no laws regulating them. Moreover, they often employ underhand tactics to beat the legal bookmakers, making bets that can only win if the bookmaker is cheated. Instead, punters should use bookmakers if they want to partake in the fun and enjoy the occasional flutter. Using bookmakers is perfectly legal, and may give you a better chance of winning.
