Sports betting brings together two things into one neat package. On one side, you get to watch and enjoy highly competitive sports like football and basketball. You can see the best athletes from various teams show their skill and prowess.
On the other end, you have a game of chance. In here, your chances of winning a bet falling into the hands of the teams that play their own game.
Like gambling, sports betting can prove to be a lucrative game to get into. Beginners may find it tricky to get started, being unsure of what to do first. To that end, we have sports betting tips ready for you to check out and learn from.
Beginners and newcomers, time to take notes. Here are some sports betting tips to help you get started and some pointers as you place your bets.
1. Learn Whether Sports Betting Is Legal Where You Are in the First Place
First things first, you should check whether sports betting is legal in your state or not. Most states consider sports betting to be another form of gambling. They think it’s not good for the morals of their citizens to engage in such activities.
What’s great is that majority of the states allow sports betting or are in the process of legalizing it. All you need to do is double-check to make sure what you’re doing is legal before engaging in it.
You should also check when they expect to complete the legalization process if it’s not yet allowed. Some states like Louisiana and Maryland will have passed the bill allowing sports betting some time within the year. Other states, like South Dakota, will allow it to be legal, but only in a certain store in Deadwood.
Even if you see that sports betting is legal in your state, you should make sure to check if they mean all kinds of sports betting. Most states only allow retail sports betting. This is when you need to register your bet, the amount of money you’re betting, and the conditions for the bet in a brick-and-mortar store.
Most states only allow this kind of betting since it’s easier to regulate. The other kind, online betting, is harder to keep track of. So, check if your state allows online betting first before committing to becoming a bettor.
2. Start Off Slowly
The world of sports betting can be a large and overwhelming scene for beginners. With so many opportunities to dive into, you can quickly get lost and lose a lot right from the get-go. This often happens to a lot of the new bettors because they don’t know much about how things go down.
This is why it’s important for you to take a step back and learn all you can before making any bets. Take this time to learn about the basics of sports betting like the terms used and what they mean. You should also take this time to learn all about the betting odds involved in each match and how it will affect your winnings.
You should also familiarize yourself with the common ways to bet on any team. You have moneylines, which are the more common method of betting, and totals.
Moneylines are popular because it’s much easier to win a sports bet through this. The outcome of the game is what determines whether you win or lose. This gives you a 50% chance of winning, and it can only go up if you know who you’re betting on.
Totals are much harder to win because it depends on the total score from both teams by the end of the game. This includes any point they score during overtime. You’ll need intimate knowledge of the game and the teams to pull this off without a hitch.
3. Only Bet on Familiar Sports
Speaking of intimate knowledge of the game, one of the best tips to win sports betting that we can give you is to only bet on sports that you know. While it may sound obvious, beginners often get overexcited and start placing multiple bets throughout different sports. Betting like this means you’ll lose a lot more than you bet on because of the betting odds mentioned above.
Betting on sports that you’re familiar with will give you an advantage. By doing so, you’ll have a better sense of the teams playing in the match. This way, you’ll know who is more likely to win.
Betting on familiar sports will also be better for you in case players get drafted to other teams, like in basketball. Knowing the skillset of each player well allows you to make informed bets even when rosters change.
4. Avoid Your Favorite Teams in General
It should go without saying that you should avoid your favorite teams when betting. Not only will you favor them over other teams, but it can also cloud your judgment. It may cause you to lose money over time.
It’s best to avoid any match that involves them unless the odds are heavily in their favor. This way, you’ll be comfortable betting on them, and you ever won’t have to bet against them.
5. Learn About the Home Court Advantage
You may have heard of the home-court advantage in many sports. This is when teams perform better when they play in their home state or such.
While it may be a good thing for the team, it’s unfortunate if you’re into sports betting. This is because of the subtle biases that a team has in their home court. Most sportsbook betting platforms accommodate this phenomenon and weigh the odds in favor of the home team.
This means that anyone who wins with the home team will see less profitable winnings.
6. Be Patient and Wait for Betting Opportunities to Come
Another mistake that beginners do is betting too eagerly. Even if you’re familiar with the game, betting on every match that you see will only cause you to lose money.
Instead, wait for an opportunity to present itself before placing a wager. This will often come in the form of a match where you’re sure about how both teams will perform. Don’t rush into any bet until you know you’re likely to succeed with your wager.
7. Choose a Reliable Bookie or Bookmaking Platform
Regardless of which kind of betting you go for, it’s best that you find yourself a reliable bookie. While it may sound outdated, there are still people who pursue being a bookie as a profession. This is because of the new online platform available for sports betting.
Most beginners are often nervous about making their bets on platforms they’re new to. They’re more comfortable making their bets through someone they can talk to. With a reliable bookie, you can place your bets and earn your winnings without any issue.
If you’re thinking about managing your own books, what you should look for is a reliable bookmaking platform. Knowing what to look for is important as there are tons of different platforms trying to cash in on the trend. A platform with the right qualities will ensure your bets go through and you receive your dues.
8. Track Your Progress
It’s always important to keep track of your progress when it comes to money. This is especially when you’re looking to gain or lose a huge sum frequently. A great way to do this is to keep a small notepad for winnings and losses while you’re betting.
This way, you’ll see what bets you’re succeeding or losing in. It’s a good way of telling yourself what you’re doing wrong with your betting process. By keeping track of your progress, you can guide yourself to improving your betting strategies.
9. Always Second Guess Your Decisions
One of the best pro sports betting tips you will often hear from the veterans is second-guessing your decisions. Whenever you decide to make a bet, think of how the game will go. Think about the different factors that can impact the performance of the team you bet on.
If you think the team is going to win, push through with your bet. If you have the slightest hint of doubt, though, it’s best you rethink the bet. Think about how they fair against the other team.
Thinking about these is the best way for you to win in sports bets. Doing this forces you to face facts and think logically.
10. Keep Yourself Disciplined
Among the best tips to make money sports betting is to discipline yourself. This means wagering only what you have and can afford to lose. Many beginners often go over their budget because they want to win back what they lost.
Without much experience in sports betting, it will only mean that you’re sure to lose more. Keep yourself in check and especially keep your cool after a loss. Use this opportunity to learn why they lost and how you can avoid a similar mistake later on.
Try Out These Sports Betting Tips
With these sports betting tips, you can try combining the aspects of gambling and watching your favorite sport. It can enhance the experience and even provide you some profit along the side. As a beginner, the most important thing is to not give up.
Considering the thought of becoming a bookie? We can help you set up a platform for your bookmaking needs. You can sign up today for a package or call us.
Ace Per Head has been in the online bookmaking services business since 1998 running one of the top-rated and most trusted brands in the pay per head industry. We give our bookie agents the personalized dedicated service they deserve. 