With the 2019-20 NHL season almost upon us, now is the perfect time to get back into hockey. Whether you’re a diehard hockey fan or you just enjoy the sport, waiting for the NHL season to start is no fun. The offseason is a frustrating time, especially since you have no clue what is going to happen.
The beauty of online betting is that you can place bets on virtually any sporting event, no matter what league or which sport it is. While you should certainly learn the tricks of the trade and become an expert handicapper, all you need is an account and a smartphone or laptop to get started.
Here’s how to do sports betting online:
Learn The Lingo
Before you start making any kind of betting move, you need to familiarize yourself with the lingo used by the online betting companies. It’s not hard to learn, and it’s worth the effort. When you’re starting out, make sure you focus on mastering the basics like wagering, parlays, teasers, odds, and prop bets. Learning how to read odds is essential, as you’ll be seeing lots of them throughout your sports betting journey. Once you get the hang of things, you can step up your game and start betting on more complex lines and propositions. As you get more experienced, you’ll also be able to tell when a betting line is misreported or fabricated by a bookmaker trying to trick you.
Also, make sure you learn the meanings of the various terms used in the betting world. When you get down to the nitty gritty of sports betting, these terms will make total sense. If you’re ever unsure of something, Google it. You’ll be surprised how many results you get. When you find the answer to a question, you’ll have proof that you actually understood what you were reading. This type of research will not only make you a better bettor, but it will also make you a better person.
Create An Edge
One of the most important things you can do to get the most out of your sports betting experience is to create an edge. The best way to do this is by using a betting simulator. While it’s not recommended that you place your actual money on the line, using a simulator allows you to bet on any sport and any amount you want, without having to worry about the finances involved. Plus, you can practice all kinds of strategies and become a better bettor. Just make sure you don’t get carried away and use too much of your allotted funds. Otherwise, you’ll end up in a dangerous situation. This is why it’s best to play with a low stakes for practice and then switch to the real thing once you’re ready to place a bet on a game.
Avoid The Bookmakers
As a beginner, it’s best to avoid the bigger, more established bookmakers. These are the kinds of places that will try to trick you into thinking that they are the absolute best and that their lines always have better odds than what the smaller, independent bookmakers offer. Independent bookmakers get a bad rap because, quite frankly, they’re the best. When you’re starting out, it’s best to go with smaller bookmakers because they are more likely to give you a fair deal. As you get more experience, you can step up your game and bet on the biggest events, but even then, make sure you’re getting a good deal. Do your research and learn about the different types of odds offered by different bookmakers before you make your decision.
Place Smaller (But Still Important) Bets
One of the primary things you want to avoid as a beginner is getting overly excited about a big bet and putting all your money on the line. The key is to place smaller bets, but they need to be important. This is why its important to practice with a small stake before you step up your game and place a bet on a major sporting event. You never know when a major event might end up being canceled or postponed. By then, you’ll probably have lost all the money you had on that particular event. So, by placing small and important bets, you’ll be able to maximize your returns while minimizing the risk of losing all your money. Major events are important, and you should certainly bet on them, but only after you’ve gotten used to placing smaller, more frequent bets. This is quite important if you want to keep your bankroll intact. Going from $10 to $100 bets is a good idea, but going from $10 to $1,000 is not. Avoid putting all your money in one place, especially if that place is the bank. This is how most people lose money, through bad luck or bad decisions. So, as much as possible, you want to stay away from big risks and keep your money in small, safe places. This way, you’ll be able to take more risks and have more fun.
Use Prop Bets
Even if you’re a seasoned sports bettor, you might still encounter prop bets in your travels. These are the bets that ask you to select the winner of some predetermined outcome, like the Total Amount of Goals or Overtime Wins. The advantage of prop bets is that they can offer very specific odds, as they’re based on a predetermined outcome. For example, you might see odds of +1000 for a TD pass and -10000 for an interception. In these cases, you’re better off avoiding them and going with a straight up, or sides, bet. However, if you’re ever unsure of how to lay the line on a prop bet, then just go with the favourite, as usual. These kinds of bets are easier to place, and it’s usually safer to go with the favorite, as long as you know what you’re doing. Otherwise, it’s better to avoid them and stick to the basics.
Know What To Bet On
Now that you’re equipped with the basics of how to do sports betting online, you need to figure out what to bet on. Just like with any other sport, each NHL team is going to have a particular style and playing-style that they prefer to use. Some will be more effective than others, depending on the situation. Knowing what to bet on is essential, as you don’t want to waste your time betting on an event that has no bearing on the final result. For example, you might want to avoid betting on draws, as they don’t offer much in the way of entertainment value. These kinds of bets are quite common, and a lot of people make a living off them. However, as a beginner, it’s best to stick to what is known as ‘basic hockey moves’ and avoid these kinds of bets, as much as possible. It’s also important to do your research and learn what other people are saying about a particular team or player. This way, you’ll be able to figure out the best way to bet on them and make the most profit.
Once you get the hang of things, you can step up your game and place bigger and better bets, but it’s still essential to do your research first and make sure you’re getting a good deal. Bigger bets can be quite appealing, as you’ll be able to multiply your initial investment many times over. Just make sure you’re not being tricked by a bookmaker who is trying to hoodwink you into thinking their terms and conditions are the best. There’s no point in falling for what is known as ‘the old swindle’, as it can be quite dangerous to your financial health. The more you know, the better.
Stay Active
It’s quite impossible to properly prepare for the NHL season without mentioning what is, in fact, the most important thing: stay active. You don’t need to exercise day and night, just make sure you get at least three hours of sleep a night and eat healthy foods. This way, you’ll be able to keep your body in good condition and be at your best during the season. You can’t predict the future, but you can control what you do now. So, it’s best to start preparing for the upcoming NHL season now rather than waiting until the last minute.