You may be familiar with “insulting the odds” when it comes to sports betting in general, or simply saying “any other” when asked what you’re betting on in horse racing or betting events in general.
But what does exactly “any other” mean when betting, or when asking about betting activities in general?
All Bets Are Equal
One of the most fundamental rules of sports betting is called “all bets are equal.” This means that when a sportsbook gives you odds on an event, you must respect those odds, even if you think they’re extremely low or high. This is also known as “playing the odds” or “playing to win.”
This guideline is essential for successful sports betting. It means you shouldn’t take the sportsbook’s odds into consideration when making your decision, but instead should focus on what you know best: your own analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the teams and players involved.
To follow this rule, you must ensure that when you make a wager on an event, you’re placing a fair one. One way to do this is to make sure that the odds you’re playing with are posted in the right way. For instance, if you see a bookmaker offering 5 dogs to 1 over ½ turf, you know that the 5 dogs are actually odds of +400 and the 1 over ½ turf is odds of +600, or 2 teaming odds.
Another way to make sure that your bet is fair is to check the vigorish (aka juice or commission) on the wager. This is the percentage of money that bookmakers take as a commission for placing a wager. Remember: the lower the vigorish, the better for you as a sports bettor!
Study The Vibe Of The Place You’re At
Betting always takes place somewhere, which means you must be careful before you place a bet that you aren’t influenced by outside factors. While you should always strive to place your bets based on objective analysis, it is often difficult to do so when betting in a casino or other locations with a lot of external influence. Even in the case of legal betting, there is often an element of chance involved, which can make it difficult to determine exactly what caused a certain outcome. In some instances, outside forces may have influenced the result, even if they didn’t come into play during the game itself.
If you find that the odds at the sportsbook aren’t posted in a way that makes sense to you, or if the vibe at the place you’re at is questionable, you should probably avoid betting there. The same goes for a casino or any other location with a lot of external influence. Instead, look for a bookmaker who posts reasonable odds, and checks the vigorish on all their wagers to ensure their customers are getting the best value possible. Bookmakers know that those who play the odds better win more frequently than those who don’t, so they tend to offer better odds for players who play fair.
Take Expert Advice When Needed
There is no substitute for good, old-fashioned common sense when it comes to sports betting. However, when a question arises that you don’t have the answer to, it’s often good to turn to more experienced people for advice. If you see someone who is consistently winning at sports betting, you may consider them an expert, and if they’re giving tips on how to play, perhaps even a good friend who you can trust.
There are many variables that can affect the outcome of a sports game or betting event. If you’re unsure of what approach to take or what strategy to use, it may be a good idea to ask an experienced person for advice or read the FAQ section of a sports betting website to see if what you’re looking for is answered there.
The fundamental rules of betting apply no matter which form you choose: you should play to win, make your bets fairly, and study the vibe of the place you’re at.