The most important thing you need when starting out as a sports bettor is a set of rules that will guide you in your approach to wagering. The rules are called “handicapping.” Once you know the basics of how this works, then you can begin making money by betting on games with an edge. Here are tips on how to win more while betting on sports.
Make Sure You Have A Game Plan
In order to make money at betting, you need a plan or game plan for each event. If you don’t have a plan, you’re not going to win many bets. Without a plan, you’ll be up against the house more often than winning. You can do better than the bookies if you learn some basic principles about the way things work. When you use these principles on your own, you can beat the odds.
Do Your Research
Researching the teams, players, and managers before taking action has never been more important than now. Its amazing how much information is available online and offline about any sport. Find all the different angles, stats, news stories on any team or player, and figure out why they may perform well. By using this information, you could find yourself an expert bettor who wins consistently.
Don’t Get Too Confident
If you act too confident in your abilities, you’ll probably fail. Be humble, but also realistic. Make sure that you don’t get overconfident. Don’t think that one or two bad results are enough to prove that you shouldn’t do something. Instead, try to determine whether there is really a good reason to believe that you can succeed. Are the reasons sound? Is the situation the same every time? Can you trust the information given to you?
Never Bet Against Your Own Team
I’ve said this so many times before, but I’m going to say it again. Never bet against your own team! That rule applies to both football and basketball, but especially so regarding baseball. If you bet $100 on a baseball game between your home team and another major league team, that would be considered laying money down on the game. But if you bet an amount less than $100, you wouldn’t have to pay taxes on that winnings since it doesn’t count as gambling income. So, you should only bet on events where you have no personal stake.
Know When to Fold ‘Em
If you’re thinking of picking a winner based on one play, it might be best to wait until after you’ve seen several plays before changing your mind. Remember that even the favourite can suffer from upsets sometimes. Don’t let one hunch keep you in the game unless you feel certain it’s right.
Be Aggressive On the Upset Plays
An upset isn’t always good luck. There are many factors that go into determining which side of the spread will come out on top. Sometimes, the underdog will cover a big number in order to help them prepare for the upcoming season. Other times, underdogs will surprise you with an incredible comeback. However, if you spot a big number in a particular matchup, take advantage of it. Do your research first, though. Otherwise, you could end up losing money. Always check the lines before making a wager.
Pay Attention to Trends
When handicapping games that involve multiple games during the day, it helps to look at trends. Trends can reveal hidden information that could improve your odds of being successful. For instance, when teams face off against inferior opponents, they tend to move the line higher towards the end of the week. Likewise, if they meet a tough team early in the season, the spread tends to drop towards the end of the weekend. Keep track of those trends by watching the spreads throughout the week, and adjusting accordingly.
Pick A Strategy and Stick With It
It’s not just about what you know. It’s about sticking to a strategy. Know what kind of sports bettor you want to be. Will you be aggressive or conservative? Do you like to back winners or underdogs? Do you prefer totals or money lines? Try to become familiar with all aspects of betting in general. Once you figure out what type of gambler you are, you’ll know exactly how to approach each situation. You won’t need new strategies every time.
Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute To Start Making Bets
Even if you know what you’re looking for, you still might miss some great opportunities. Don’t wait until the last minute to start planning your bets. Even if you don’t think you’ll make any mistakes, you’ll probably make a few along the way. By preparing ahead of time, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from.
Choose an Online Site with Good Reputation
The internet is full of countless online bookmakers. Many people swear by sites such as Bodog, Westgate and Intrade. Some people swear by sportsbooks.com. No matter what you prefer, there’s bound to be a site available that fits your needs perfectly. Make sure that whichever site you sign up with has a good reputation. Also, make sure that it works with your preferred mobile device.
