For many sports fans, betting is part and parcel of the experience. Most sports wagers are likely to be a bit of casual fun on the side, but there are a dedicated few that manage to make some significant sums through clever tactical bets. For those who want to improve their returns, we have a gathered up a few useful tips on how to get started with a good sports betting strategy. As with everything in life, nothing is guaranteed, but if you keep these few hints in mind then you should be on your way to better fortunes.
-
Look for the best odds
These days, there are a lot of different options for where to place a sports bet. Many sportsbook providers can be found online, while others are dedicated only to sports betting. The great thing about this is that some sites offer better odds than others, so you can shop around for the best deal.
-
Choose your sport
Outside of occasional big events or family and friends traditions, it is better to narrow your betting to a single sport. Even better, a single league. Become an expert in your chosen game, and your chances of making good betting decisions will increase significantly. The more detail that you can pay attention to, the better. Weather conditions, injuries, previous fixtures and many more factors can have an effect on performance.
-
Think clearly
Many things can cloud our judgment, and that is when we make rash and unwise decisions. Alcohol is a good example, but it also applies to any very strong feelings we may have about particular teams or individual players. Whether you are passionately behind a team, or hate them with everything you have, it is better to sit out betting on games that involve them.
-
Mix it up
The big stories that grab headlines about sports bets are not the real story for most of us. An unlikely and massive win, like those who bet on Leicester City winning the English Premier League in 2016, is very much the exception. Actual sports betting is more of a grind. Medium sized bets on the most likely outcomes (keeping in mind that a ‘sure thing’ is rarely guaranteed) will ensure that you will win in many cases. Even if the actual gain is small, it does add up – and don’t forget that your stake is also returned when you are successful. Mix these with some smaller stakes on results that would have a better payout.
-
Cash out early
This is not always the best strategy, but it certainly has its place from time to time. Find a site that offers live betting and early cash-out, and use the function judiciously. For example, you have bet on the underdog team to win, and ten minutes before the end they are ahead by a narrow margin. The favorite team still has time to equal the score and render your bet null. This would be a good moment to cash your bet and take a profit, even though it is less than it would be after the game has finished. The classic situation of a bird in the hand being worth more than two in the bush.
-
Keep records
Many betting sites store your stats for you, so record keeping is easier than ever. Review your bets, wins and losses regularly and make sure you are keeping within your limits. If you are betting more than you can afford, or if you find that you are losing consistently, it could be time to take a step back. Sports betting is primarily about having fun, and should never be a source of stress, anxiety or overspending.
