Most sports betting guides cover basics like reading lines or where to bet. Some dive into advanced techniques, but only a few bridge the gap between the two. This page fills that gap by offering 11 simple strategies to help you progress from beginner to advanced. With these useful betting tips for beginners, you may potentially see profitable results.
1. Start with Baby Steps
Learning to beat the sportsbooks takes time, and even the best sports bettors face a learning curve. With limited money to wager, it’s important not to bet too much on each contest when starting out. Many experienced bettors begin with small wagers, often as low as $5 to $22. It can take years of practice and mixed results to develop a successful strategy.
He used various strategies over the years to make it easier to break even, but none made him any money. Instead, these strategies just reduced the cost of his bets. The main tactic was placing most wagers with individuals rather than with bookies or sportsbooks.
This approach eliminated the cost of the vig, making it a good strategy for small bets. Without paying the vig, breaking even only requires winning half the time. But, as bets get larger, this strategy becomes less effective since it’s difficult to find individuals willing to take bigger wagers.
When starting to bet on sports, he recommends setting aside a bankroll solely for betting. Divide this bankroll by 100 and limit individual bets to this amount while learning to improve results.
Mistakes will happen, but using a small percentage of the bankroll keeps losses minimal. This approach allows plenty of bets before running out of money. The longer one stays in the game, the better the chances of finding a winning system.
2. Concentrate on One Sport for Starters
Most new sports bettors begin by placing bets on their favorite teams and major events, like the Super Bowl or NCAA basketball tournament. However, the common mistake is betting on games they don’t know much about. Instead of spreading bets across multiple sports, it’s better to concentrate on just one. Focusing on a single sport increases the chances of making accurate picks.
Focusing on a specific area allows building a solid knowledge base. This helps you pick winners. To become a successful sports bettor, gather as much information as possible about the teams and players involved. When one can analyze more data than those setting the lines, consistent profits become achievable.
The best way to start is to specialize. While betting may add excitement to games, decide whether to accept the cost of potential losses for that thrill or to focus on improving the chances of winning.
3. Place Moneyline Wagers
In sports betting, there are usually two main types of bets: against the spread and moneyline. An against the spread bet involves a point spread, where one team receives points and the other gives points.
A moneyline wager is simpler. You only need to pick the team that wins the game. The amount you need to bet to win varies, unlike against the spread bets, which typically cost 11 to 10 or 110 to 100.
Both types of bets include a “vig,” or the extra money the sportsbook charges to make a profit. The vig in moneyline wagers is less obvious because the lines are presented differently.
Betting on sports can be tricky, especially when trying to pick a winner against the spread. Sportsbooks are skilled at setting lines that closely match the final score. This makes it hard to predict which team will cover the spread.
Yet, it’s easier to pick the outright winner of a game. While betting on the favorite costs more, it’s still simpler to choose the winning team.
Another approach is to look for underdogs with a good chance of winning. Since they offer higher payouts, fewer correct picks are needed to make a profit.
4. There is Home Team Bias And You Must Acknowledge it
In sports, the home team often wins more than the visiting team. While the exact percentages vary, this trend is consistent across all sports. Many are aware of this pattern but don’t realize how it can influence sports betting.
Home team bias occurs when bettors overestimate the home team’s chances of winning. While it’s important to consider the home team’s advantage, giving it too much weight can lead to poor betting decisions.
The general betting public often favors home teams, a bias that sportsbooks have recognized over time. As a result, sportsbooks adjust their lines to account for this bias, making bets on home underdogs less profitable than before.
In any case, bettors should avoid overcorrecting. Some bettors give road teams too much credit to counteract home team bias, which can be equally costly as overestimating home teams.
5. You Can Make a Profit With Line Shopping Too
With only one betting option, you must choose the side most likely to win. But having multiple betting options allows for line comparison.
Today, bets can be placed with local bookies, sportsbooks in various cities, and hundreds of online sportsbooks. This helps bettors make more money over time.
Games are evaluated the same way, but finding the best line among different sportsbooks can improve outcomes for both spread and moneyline bets.
No special skill is needed for line shopping. It’s a simple practice that benefits all sports bettors, whether new or experienced.
6. Don’t Bet On Your Favorite Player or Team. Really.
Many people start betting on sports with their favorite team. While it’s fun to win money when the team wins, this approach isn’t the best for making consistent profits.
To be successful, it’s crucial to view games and teams objectively. To avoid bias, it’s helpful to stop betting on favorite teams altogether. Enjoy watching and supporting the team, but don’t bet on their games.
If someone insists on betting on their favorite team, it’s wise to use a separate bankroll. Bias can lead to losses, so separating personal support from betting decisions is key.