Bets are a normal part of life when you’re talking to friends, colleagues, or family members. When someone makes a wager on something, you know that there’s an underlying chance of it coming true. When someone bets on your team losing in the NBA Finals, for example, it’s not uncommon to say, “Oh man, I’m so confident they’ll win. I bet they lose.”
But what happens when someone bets against you? How do you phrase an argument that your team will win when you’re on the opposite side of the wager?
Here’s a guide on how to talk about betting with even footing, regardless of whether you’re winning or losing the bet.
Understand What They’re Saying
The most important thing to do before entering into any type of bet or wager is to understand exactly what your counterparty is saying. If you don’t, this could lead to misunderstandings and awkward moments later on. For example, let’s say you place a $10 wager on the Super Bowl with a friend. But then your friend says, “Actually, I have a nickel invested in the Steelers. So yeah, I’m kind of rooting for them.”
You might not expect that response from your friend, and it could certainly lead to problems later on. So before entering into any type of bet, make sure you know what the terms are and that the person you’re dealing with understands your position.
Maintain Healthy Communication
Whether you’re placing a bet on a sporting event or gambling in general, healthy communication is essential. It’s easy to become emotional when it comes to money and sports. But if you want to remain sane, you have to keep at a healthy distance from your counterparty. This doesn’t mean you have to be cold, but it does mean you have to be confident enough in your positions that you’re not driven by petty emotions. It also means you have to be willing to accept feedback and change your mind if necessary.
Think Ahead Of Time
One of the worst things you can do if you’re placing a bet on a sporting event, or any type of gambling for that matter, is to enter the bet and then immediately start thinking about how you’re going to win or lose. This is why it’s important to think ahead of time and consider the scenario where you might lose. If you make every bet you place, you’ll never be able to enjoy your hobby. So it’s important to set aside some money for winning and losing, and only bet what you can afford to lose.
Enjoy The Ambiance
Placing a bet on a game means you’re going to be separated from your money for a short period of time. This can be nerve-racking when you’re at a restaurant, bar, or other similar places where betting is legal. You don’t want to ruin anyone’s evening, so it’s important to enjoy the ambiance and the company of your counterparty rather than feeling nervous about your money.
Stay Confident
The worst thing you can do if you’re entering into a wager or bet with someone is to doubt yourself. You have to believe that you’re going to win, otherwise you won’t be able to enjoy the experience. Even when you think of all the chances that your team might lose, you have to stay confident that you’re going to win. If you start doubting yourself or your team, it’s all over —you lose. So it’s important to stay optimistic even when things don’t seem to be going your way.
Learn From Experience
Even though it’s important to enjoy your wagers and bets, it’s also important to learn from experience. If you place a wager with a friend or colleague and it doesn’t turn out well, it’s important to understand why so that you can avoid making the same mistake twice. It might be a good idea to talk it over with the person you’ve bet with, or at least get a second opinion. If you don’t understand why they were betting against you, or if you think there was some sort of misunderstanding that led to the bet in the first place, you might end up losing more than you would have if you hadn’t made the wager in the first place. So it’s important to learn from experience and place fewer, but bigger bets in the future.
Be Professional
A common mistake that people make when it comes to sports gambling is to act unprofessionally. If you want to enter into a professional relationship with your counterparty, it’s important to be professional in all your dealings. This means being polite, open-minded, and having integrity. It also means being respectful of the opposite team and their fans, regardless of whether you agree with their viewpoints or not. Being unprofessional in any way makes it much easier for you to lose your shirt (or your friend’s shirt, in the case of a wager) in gambling. So if there’s any chance of the relationship you have with your counterparty being professional, take it seriously and ensure it. You’ll be glad you did.
Have Fun
Finally, it’s important to have fun while you’re placing your bets. Remember why you’re doing this in the first place — it’s a way of life that you and your family enjoy. So regardless of whether you win or lose, have fun and don’t get too upset about it. If you have a bet with a friend and it goes well, celebrate with drinks and food and enjoy the experience. Even when you lose, you’ll have one less thing to worry about — your friend won’t be trying to kill you.
Always bet on something you know well. If you’re entering into a wager with someone you don’t know well or trust, always choose a team you’re familiar with. This will help you maintain healthy communication and ensure the outcome is what you expect. If you have a feeling your friend is trying to trick you or get back at you, then it might be best to avoid the temptation and cut off all contact until this situation is resolved.