While the vast majority of people can relate to the excitement that comes with entering the lottery in hopes of winning the big jackpot, the reality for many is that once the cash is in their pockets, it’s more or less over. But, there is still hope for those who play the lotto, as well as those who bet on sports; in fact, there are ways to bank on the excitement and make money off the numbers. Here are some tips on how to become a successful bettor or sports handicapper.
Find An Edge
One of the first things you need to do if you want to become a successful bettor is to find an edge. That is, you need to find a sport or a group of sports in which you can consistently make money. For example, if you are a huge fan of the Minnesota Vikings, you may consider putting your money on football games between the Vikings and the Chicago Bears. You may also want to try your hand at betting on NBA games or college football games. But, no matter what sport you choose, you need to be sure that you can find the right lines and odds so that you can profit from your knowledge.
Study The Sport You Have Chosen
When you take up betting, it’s important to choose a sport that you know a lot about. If you are going to be using online betting websites or apps, you may want to consider studying sports like poker or blackjack. These games are known for being easy to understand and require little to no previous knowledge of poker or blackjack. But, if you want to become a successful bettor, it’s essential that you choose a sport that you are familiar With and that you can learn quickly.
Do Your Research
Once you know which sport you’re going to focus on, you need to do a bit of research. You can start by looking at the histories of individual sports. Knowing the past performance of a sports team can give you an idea of how much you should expect to win or lose. For example, if you were planning on betting on the New York Knicks, you may want to know that for the past five years, they have been among the least successful teams in the NBA. (Their average yearly win total is around 30 games, and their overall winning percentage is.388.) If the idea of placing winning bets on the Knicks makes you feel a little uneasy, there are other options for you. The Utah Jazz are also a relatively unknown team, but over the past five years, they have compiled an impressive winning record of 57-40. (This is slightly better than the Knicks’ average win total over that period of time.) If you’re looking for a team that you think is going to have a good season, perhaps you should consider the Philadelphia 76ers, who have won 54 games over the past two seasons and whose winning percentage is.583. (The 76ers are 13-15 this year, so their record is not yet proven, but based on past performance, it looks like they will live up to expectations.)
Watch The Games Live
One of the best ways to learn sports and how to bet on them is to watch the games. But, since you’re going to be relying on online sources for your research, you’ll need to make sure that you’re getting the best value when placing your bets. The way to do this is to watch the games live. If you do this, you’ll be able to see every play and angle and won’t miss any details that could help you bet successfully. (You’ll also be able to check the betting lines against the spreads, which can help you decide whether or not to wager on a game.) For example, if you knew that the Buffalo Bills were favored in their home game against the Chicago Bears this coming Sunday, you may decide to place a bet. But, if you decide to watch the game on TV, you’ll miss the opening kickoff and much of the action in the first half. In the second half, you’ll see the Bills beat the Bears, so it was probably a good idea to bet on them, but you may not have learned much had you not been present at the game.
Practice With Credentials
Since you’re going to be relying on odds and statistics to make money, it’s important that your research is accurate. One way to ensure that this is by practicing with credentials. This entails going to a sportsbook and placing betting lines for real money. (You can also do this online through reputable online betting websites and apps.) While this won’t give you all the insights you need to be a successful bettor, it will give you a much better understanding of how the numbers work and can help you form a rational guess as to whether or not you’ll be able to profit from sports. (This also helps to ensure that your personal information is kept confidential, as you won’t be placing your bets on a whim.)
Keep Your Betting Patterns
In addition to finding an edge in terms of which sports you will focus on, it’s also important to establish a betting pattern. This entails regularly placing bets and not being afraid to enter into large wagers. It’s easy to get discouraged when you’re losing money every week, but if you keep doing this, you’ll never be able to improve your win percentage. Establishing a regular betting pattern is also a good way to ensure that you are always learning and that you are using sound judgement when placing your bets. (It isn’t wise to bet if you aren’t feeling lucky.)
Use Your Head
In addition to finding an edge and establishing a betting pattern, it’s also important to use your head. This means that, no matter what, you should have a contingency plan in case your original guess was incorrect. It’s easy for sports bettors to get caught up in the moment and make hasty, incorrect guesses, but this can really hurt your bottom line. Have an alternate plan just in case; if you don’t, you may lose money because the spread or the over/under did not do what you thought it would do. (This is a situation you shouldn’t want to find yourself in.) Use your head and you’ll be all right. (Just make sure that you do not rely on your head too much and do not overuse it. It can take a while to become good at predicting the outcomes of games based on statistical analysis and playing against the spread.)
Follow The Money
Another thing you need to do if you want to become a successful bettor is to follow the money. This entails watching the outcomes of the games you bet on and looking for which teams and players are winning and losing on a regular basis. You can get all the statistics you need from online sportsbooks and apps, but nothing beats being there in person and seeing the results of your efforts. Going to the betting lines and seeing which teams are winning and losing is also a good way to judge the strength of your feelings toward a particular team or player. For example, the Chicago Bears are currently one of the biggest winners in the NFL, having won five in a row. If you’re a fan of the Bears, you may want to consider placing a wager on their next game. (The money will follow – in this case, the Bears are 15-point favorites against the Atlanta Falcons.) On the other hand, if you’re a fan of the Atlanta Falcons, you may want to avoid betting on them. (They have not won a game in five weeks and are a steep -200 to win against the Bears.) If you follow the money and use the tips and tricks discussed in this article, you will be on your way to financial independence and victory as a sports bettor.