Sports betting has, is, and will always be an inexact science. If somebody told you that there was a clear-cut way to win 100 percent of your bets, that person needs to be a) drug tested, or b) psychologically evaluated.
It’s a nice concept – winning all your bets and losing none – but it’s also impossible. When it comes to sports betting the key is always to win more than you lose. When you’re able to do that, there’s a good chance that you can make good money from betting on sports.
One important aspect of being a good handicapper is to always keep in mind that betting using only your faculties is often an exercise in futility. You’re going to need some assistance, or at least different points of view that can help you understand certain angles and circumstances for a variety of games.
It’s also important to understand that being a successful bookmaker requires patience and discipline above all else. Bookmakers will tell you that a lot of the money they win comes from bettors who are either all in for quick wins or ambitious to cash on huge plays. Both qualities will get its fair share of wins, but both also go against the tenets of sustainability.
Would you rather be someone who wins a huge card today and runs dry for the next week or would you rather be that better who builds his bankroll slowly but steadily? The first scenario is tempting but the sudden rush of winning isn’t worth the pain of a long and devastating losing streak.
Patience and discipline are two qualities that bookmakers will tell you aare absolutely essential in having a winning betting record. Pick your spots and don’t try to overdo – or over-think – your plays. Once you do, you’re setting yourself up for long-term disappointment.
Ask any sports book that’s worth its salt and it’ll tell you that rule no. 1 in sports betting is to gamble only on what you can afford to lose. A lot of people exhaust their financial capabilities on sports betting without understanding the repercussions that come with the potential of losing all your money.
When you’re in sports betting, the words “disposable” and “income” should be your best friends. Bet on money that you don’t mind losing. Whether its $50, $100, or even $1,000, the amount of money you’re prepared to stake shouldn’t be more than what you can’t afford to lose. If you can observe and follow this important rule, then it’s going to make your life as a sports bettor a lot easier.
Gambling, especially with sports betting, is oftentimes decided by people you don’t know. Bookmakers will be the first to tell you that when it comes to sports betting, once you have your bets placed, your money is now tied up to whoever team you are supporting. This, of course, could create a unique dynamic, something bookmakers will tell you is one of the quickest ways to losing a lot of money and equally important, your time.
The sooner you put some money down on a specific team, it’s important to know your time shouldn’t be used furiously checking the box scores. You have better things to do, not the least of which, we assume, is your own job. Reducing the time you check for game updates and more time actually being productive with work will not only reduce the stress of making an ill-timed bet but also allows you to be of good use at your job. Bookmakers will be quick to remind anybody willing to listen that understanding your limitations is an important quality for a winning handicapper.
So listen to these bookmakers because they know what they’re talking about – more often than not at least.
