Sports betting is a type of gambling, which involves placing a bet (wager) on sports events. But betting on sports is not easy, it requires a good amount of knowledge. The great number of markets, including amateur and professional leagues from every corner of the world and the different odds formats, can be very confusing to new punters and even to more experienced ones. Many beginners go with the flow and as a result, they make mistakes and lose money.
Understanding how to place bets is not an impossible mission. On the contrary, you only need a few tips and you will be ready to go and feel more comfortable while betting. It is better to have luck on your side, but when you combine it with a little knowledge, you may find yourself among the happy winners.
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Bet Online
Betting online is way more convenient, since you don’t have to leave the comfort of your home. Moreover, web-based bookmakers give opportunity to wager on various events. This gives you the opportunity to wager at any time and, if you use your mobile device, from any place you like. Not to mention, all big names in the land-based betting industry have their own websites.
Another good reason to bet online is that most respected web-based bookmakers offer free bets and generous deposit bonuses. There’s nothing better than generating profits free of charge. Plus, having more credit in your balance account means that the chances of winning are bigger and you will have more fun placing bets.
One of the advantages of placing bets at websites is that you can choose from a wider selection of sports events and races from all over the world. This means that you can enjoy all sports events from international and domestic leagues with a huge range of bet types. In addition, a punter can greatly benefit from the early betting odds, which are available in real time. The early odds will give you the upper hand when you make a prediction.
Another thing to take into account is that online bookmakers offer betting tips for free. It does not matter whether you like races or sports, either way you will find the best tips on the Internet.
And last but not least, the web-based bookmakers, offer better payouts than the ones at the TAB.
Tips For Beginners
If you have decided that you want to place bets, you may find the following tips useful.
Every gambler knows something about sports, especially about those they prefer. So you should place your first bets on a sport you have understanding of. For example, if you like football and watch almost every match of La Liga, you know at least the basics and what to expect as an outcome, so stick to that knowledge in the beginning. Later on, you may start following other sports.
The timing of the bet is very important, too. Odds rise and fall all the time, players have injuries during the games, and even the actions of punters can influence the odds. So when you place your bet, consider the timing.
Another good piece of advice is to open accounts at different web-based betting providers. Every online bookmaker specializes in a different sport – one is focused on football, while others are centred around horse racing, for example. Having several accounts, gives you more options when it comes to the number of games and odds, you can choose from.
As written above, new punters should stick to what they understand in the beginning. However, there is a difference between betting on sports you like and are familiar with, and placing bets on the basis of personal preferences only. Just because you have been following Real Madrid for 10 years, does not mean you always need to place bets in favour of this team. Avoid wagers, based on your loyalty to a sports club. Being a fan is one thing, but being a punter is another.
Downtime is another aspect you need to understand, because it has a different effect on each team. Sometimes a bye week can give the team time to rest and plan strategies for their next clash. But often it may result in the team being out of practice and shape. You should consider the amount of time that has passed between the last game of the team and the event you are wagering on.
It would be beneficial, if you invest in some good books that will help you increase your winnings. There are many nice readings that will give you information on different concepts and strategies.
One of your priorities should be deciding on your bankroll size. You should determine how much you can afford to lose and place bets within that range. If you do not have a bankroll management plan to follow, you may risk wagering too much money per game.
It is not shameful to turn to the customer support team every time you have any questions, no matter how basic they may sound. Being new to the world of betting means that you need to figure out every option. The trained staff is there to help you, so use the toll-free number or the Live Chat any time you struggle to understand something.
Every newcomer should start with simple bets, because teasers, parlays, and props can be pretty confusing. Start with a couple of single bets just to feel the thrill of betting. Later on, when you know everything you need to in order to be a successful punter, you may dive into the deep, but for now, stick to the basics.
Also, you can look for betting forums and message boards, because it is helpful and important to be among people who are like-minded, especially if you are a beginner. You may discuss which online bookmakers are reliable, you may ask for advice and so on. It will be a good experience to talk to seasoned punters, who will be happy to help you and share their secrets of success.
It is important to bet only at legitimate online bookmakers. You can easily figure out which website is authorised and which is not, because the legitimate ones are transparent about their license numbers and regulators. Such information is typically displayed at the bottom of the bookmaker’s homepage.
Basic Strategies and Tactics
It does not matter whether you are playing just for fun or are a professional punter, you still need to incorporate betting tactics and strategies in order to earn good cash. Believe it or not, there are many people who make a living from betting. These people win big money from wagers, but on the other hand, there are many who lose. What separates winners from losers is that the first follow basic tactics and strategies, which help them profit in the long term.
One of the most important things is to set a so called “bankroll”, meaning that you need to keep your betting on-budget. You must decide what amount of money you are comfortable to lose. You can break that money down by week, month or per game. You should not wager more than 1% of the total bankroll per single game, which is considered a smart bet. A base betting unit over 1%, may indicate that you’ve placed a risky bet.
This also teaches punters not to try to compensate for losses by doubling their wagers. The primary reaction is that you must win back the losses by placing larger bets on the next event, but this is exactly what you should not do, because most probably it will bring about bigger losses.
Another essential advice is not to let your emotions control you, because you will forget the basic strategies that you need to follow. Such emotional gambling is called “going on tilt”. You must place bets only when you are composed, when you are sober and in a good mood. Wagering under the influence of alcohol may affect your good judgement and this most probably will lead to major losses. Being extremely angry or very happy can influence your judgement, too.
It is of great importance to do your homework before you wager. You must research the handicapping teams and the best lines. Line-shopping may be more significant than knowing the ins and outs of the players and teams. You must compare betting trends, stats, past performance and hunt for the best lines before you place a bet. Having accounts at several online bookmakers, may be a good strategy, because it gives you a chance to take advantage of different lines and odds. You should spend more time line-shopping in order to find the best offers. You may find yourself winning much more often.
After all, you must remember that betting is for fun. The thrill of the unknown is one of a kind experience. Give yourself some time to fully understand the odds, the ebb and flow of sports profits and the interface of the website you wager at. Place bets using your common sense, do not let your emotions take over your judgement, and do your homework before you bet. These tips should help punters achieve success and generate greater winnings.
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