What is the Key to Successful Sports Betting?

To make money “out of nothing”, you have to take a risk. If you are lucky and the bet passes, then the invested funds will pay off in double, triple or even multiple size. But if there is no luck, bookmakers are bookmakers for a reason — to earn on our gambling!

That’s how ordinary people perceive sports bets. For them, sports predictions are akin to a lottery, in which the result depends solely on luck. And those who have already tried to bet in the betting shop perceive betting quite adequately — as a source of potential profit. But in order to win regularly, you must constantly study and keep in mind a lot of important nuances. Today we’ll talk about how to correctly bet on sports on the Internet for beginners or those who are chased by a series of failures.

Instructions for beginners: how to bet on sports

Most novice players have a misconception about competent betting. Conventionally, such clients of BS can be divided into two groups:

1. I will bet on clear favorites. Even if the odds are very small, I’ll surely win.
2. I will look for a win-win strategy. Surely there are such. The cappers earn a lot of money on bets, and I can do it.

But in reality, they are mistaken as one and the other. Constant bets on favorites do not always work. In each round of the Champions League and any European championship, unexpected “ups” happen when the leader loses or draws with a notorious outsider. One or two such failures, especially in bets such as “accumulator” — and an inexperienced bettor loses more than the total amount of played bets.

There are no win-win strategies. Of course, through complex mathematical calculations, you can derive an algorithm for successful bets, but it will be very far from 100% probability. And what do you think: schoolchildren are not sitting in the analytical departments of bookmakers either! Any strategy is fraught with certain risks. In addition, not a single bookmaker will accept bets at a loss. Only such an approach guarantees shops profit, all the more — in the long run.

If you want to learn how to bet and win, learn a simple truth: the bookmaker will always be in the black. But this does not mean that you have no chance.

Use our tips to from an inexperienced player of BS dreams become a successful plus bettor.

How a bookmaker works?

Stable profitable work of the bookmaker is ensured by the competent formation of the odds, which eliminates the loss and brings them profit at any outcome. The staff of each BS employs analysts who evaluate the probability of outcomes and calculate odds based on them. The laziest ones just copy the line from the websites of major global shops. Users choose winning outcomes, in their opinion, and make their bets. And the bookmaker remains in the black! It’s all about the competent management of odds = cash flows.

The line of the bookmaker for a novice player is a dark forest. But an experienced bettor extracts a lot of useful information from these numbers. They can see how underestimated the real odds are, and whether there are value odds in the line that were erroneously overstated by analysts.

Bookmaker line

Professional players compare odds in different bookmakers, including — by analyzing data from websites of foreign BSs, choose the most profitable odds for their bets.

Undervalued odds and margin

Not quite correct odds are the main tool for earning in a betting shop. Assessing the likelihood of a particular outcome, the analytical department can calculate the real odds on the favorite in the amount of 1.90. If the bookmaker puts such odds in their line, they will give money to all players who have bet on this favorite, but they will not earn anything at the same time. This is why bookmakers intentionally underestimate real odds.

And the real 1.90 in the line will look like 1.75. It is these carefully calculated figures that directly affect the income of shops. And these figures in the long run leave BS with a profit, and players with zero deposits. Such a scheme is not a hoax to players, although it cannot be called absolutely honest. This is a legal way to earn a betting shop, which is called margin. Usually it is 7%. Oscillations in one direction or another depend solely on the degree of adequacy of the bookmaker.

Why can’t beginners earn money on bets?

The harsh reality of betting quickly lands on self-confident beginners. Hoping to hit the jackpot on a match or 100% working, but paid game schemes, they are faced with well-established schemes of “scam” or commonplace fraud. Before we start talking about how to place bets correctly, we must tell you about such schemes.

Fixed games

One of the most common misconceptions in the betting world. Games with a fixed result, unfortunately, happen in competitions at different levels. But this information is owned by a very narrow circle of people. Not a single person who can know about the result of a future match will share it “in secret” from the pages of a sports forum.

If you were offered a “sure thing” for a couple of hundred dollars, you can rest assured: this is a fraudster who is making a similar offer to several more gullible players. By naming a different account to each of their clients, they can in one case guess the exact result. But such a hit has nothing to do with real awareness of match-fixing. And new players should remember: for the organization of match-fixing, criminal liability is provided. Will the organizer of such games share information with everyone?

Bonus programs

This scheme is not fraudulent. Moreover — the bonuses offered during registration or as part of various promotions look like a nice gift from a caring bookmaker. A twofold increase in the deposit pleases newcomers who bet “donated” funds with great excitement, and as a result lose their own money.

In order not to get into trouble, you must carefully read the conditions for providing bonuses. As a rule, in order to withdraw these funds, they must be put down several times, moreover, in bets such as “accumulator” and with odds not lower than the agreed level. For beginners, this result is almost unattainable. Remember: a bonus is not a means to earn money, but only a way to increase your gaming excitement. Perfect betting scheme!

Martingale

To recoup after losing as soon as possible — a typical tactic of an inexperienced player. Often, novice and quite reckless bettor tries to apply the Monte Carlo method. According to this scheme, the player bets on the result with odds of at least 2.0 and constantly doubles their bet. At some point, the strategy works and the lost money (plus a little about the top) is returned to the better.

A method based on simple mathematics looks convincing. But there is no guarantee that the bet will certainly play until the moment when the player runs out of money. The desired result does not fall in any way, but there is nothing to bet.

By the way, even experienced players fall into the trap of Martingale. And in this case, usually we are talking about large sums of money. Who’s up? As usual — a bookmaker!

Paid strategies

The so-called “gurus” of betting often want to capitalize on the credulity of novice players, offering them to buy winning strategies. As arguments, screenshots of the withdrawal from the BS of large sums and the numerous “accumulators” played are given. Perhaps some of the proposed schemes will help beginners to play at least not in a minus, but this is only for the time being. Any strategy crashes at some point. Therefore, you should not waste time searching for ready-made solutions, and even more so — to purchase them. It is advisable to develop your own model of the game in the betting shop.

Basic principles of winning bets

The bookmaker always remains in the black. But this is not a reason to despair and switch to the lottery, where nothing depends on you at all. It is really possible to earn money on bets, and not bad at all. The main thing is to immediately exclude all of the above strategies: forget about win-win game models, Martingale and match-fixing. Good is the one who plays according to his scheme! We will introduce you to several effective methods and games in the betting shops.

High odds search

A competent analysis of the information seen is a must have skill for a successful player. Most bettors do not see anything other than the potential winnings behind the numbers of odds. And more experienced ones are able to notice the slightest errors of BS analysts, finding the so-called value odds. Value betting is betting on outcomes with inflated odds. Such outcomes are rare in the lines, but with proper experience they can really be found.

A prerequisite for value bets is an in-depth study of statistical data and taking into account all the nuances that can affect the result of a sports event. At a minimum, a bettor should be well versed in the chosen sport. The knowledge in the “materiel” will simplify the analysis of the line, and also speed up the search for value.

Arbitrage situation

One of the great strategies that many cappers use.

An arb is called specially selected bets in different betting shops, in which the win of one covers the loss of the other. Thus, the player remains in positive territory at any outcome.

The hardest part of such a strategy is finding an arb. Moreover, it is necessary not only to find a favorable combination of outcomes, but also to quickly place a bet. An arb’s life rarely exceeds 15 minutes: during this time, quickly reacting bettors manage to make a large number of bets, and bookmakers reduce their odds. To search for arb odds, special programs have even been developed.

Bets on a betting exchange

An interesting alternative to betting shops! Wicked BSs cut the limits of bets to successful arbers, intentionally underestimate the odds, do not disdain even blocking game accounts. Therefore, some bettors go to betting exchanges. The most famous representative of this market is the Betfair exchange. Such online platforms act as intermediaries, providing the necessary conditions for players who want to bet.

Exchanges do not form odds and do not have a margin on bets made. Their interest is the commission from each bet won (usually within 7%). The player themselves makes a “For” bet on the selected outcome and offers their own odds. Another player makes a “Against” bet with the same odds. It is for this reason that you can find overestimated odds at such websites and raise decent money for them.

Bonus hunting

As you remember, one of the “lures” of the betting shop is all kinds of bonus programs and promotions. Many BSs offer their customers free bets to motivate their gaming activity. Especially advanced bettors use these free bets to get real money. Tiring and difficult enough, but possible!

Bonus hunting works as follows:

• gets a free bet in the BS for a new player;
• according to the terms of the bonus, makes a bet;
• it closes the bet on the Betfair online exchange so as not to remain in the red at any outcome;
• if the bet in the shop is played, then the new free bet is driven in the same way — until the player can withdraw the bonus money.

10 tips on how to make bets right

For an aspiring player, such an abundance of information can be confusing. What kind of arbs and gross bets can we talk about if you have not figured out the terms “handicap” and “total”, and also don’t really know how to place a bet?

Do not worry, everything will come with experience. And our task is to make your first steps in betting as painless as possible for your wallet. Take note of these helpful tips:

Step 1 — Focus on one thing

Well versed in hockey? Start analyzing lines in the NHL and KHL. Do you consider yourself a connoisseur of mixed martial arts? Learn the odds on your favorite fighter in the upcoming UFC tournament. Are you a fan of tennis? Indeed, Federer is in bad shape now.

If a bettor makes bets on a sport in which they are well versed, their chances increase significantly. Less time is spent on a detailed analysis of events; the odds of bookmakers are adequately estimated. And it’s much easier to find value odds.

What if special sporting preferences do not exist? Try football betting. Choose a championship, preferably one of European or domestic. Then you will have no shortage of statistical information. Then study in detail each team from the selected league: their strengths and weaknesses, fresh transfers, average age and level of players. Based on these data, you will make bets, so your potential winnings directly depend on the depth of the analytical work done.

Step 2 — Study the types of bets, deal with all the notation

Every successful player knows the terminology of betting by heart. All designations in the line of the betting shop should be thoroughly studied by you — from the “single bet” to the “accumulator”, from the “handicap” to the “total”. If you learn to read the list without hesitation, then betting will be much easier. After all, you can banally miss the overestimated odds, figuring out what “Draw Home” is. A good knowledge of the theory simplifies the general understanding of the essence of betting, which positively affects the results at your bets.

Step 3 — Learn to understand the formation of the odds and the movement of the line

Behind the numbers of the odds there is the potential profit of the player and the guaranteed income of the bookmaker. In order for these odds to play in your favor, you need to know the key principles for forming odds. After all, why bet on the right outcome in a match between a leader and an outsider if the win is scanty, since the shop has already underestimated the odds to the maximum?

It makes more sense to look value and earn much more solid money on it. But without theoretical knowledge and constant practice, numbers will not become your assistants. Track the movement of lines and bet at the right time.

Step 4 — Stick to your betting strategy

Start with the simplest and gradually switch to more complex schemes. Do not jump from one model of the game to another just because you read about it on the forum and want to test it. Such experiments usually end with a loss of deposit.

We recommend starting with classic Flat. This strategy allows you to keep in check the excessive excitement of a novice player and simultaneously accumulate the necessary experience in betting. And later, you can try a more complex scheme — the Kelly criterion. This strategy helps to increase the probable profit from undervalued bets.

Step 5 — Get game accounts at several betting shops

The proverb about the inappropriateness of storing all eggs in one basket is ideally applicable to betting. Holding several lines in front of your eyes, you quickly find the most profitable odds and manage to place a bet before the possible movement of the line. In addition, if in the future the bookmaker for some reason decides to block your account or cut your betting limits, you will still have “alternate airfields”.

If you are not yet confident in your abilities and do not want to play for real money, it would be wiser to train on a demo account of a bookmaker. So you can thoroughly study the interface of the BS, the contents of all sections and find out other useful nuances.

Step 6 — Make a competent analysis and select the first bets

Having decided on a sport and a specific event, we make our first bet. We remind you of the need to adhere to the chosen strategy — both in terms of the game scheme and in the amount of bets. In order not to run into pitfalls, additionally check out our helpful article.

Step 7 — Replenish your gaming account at the betting shop

If you dare to play for real money, you need to make a deposit. BS can give you a bonus: the amount for bets, similar to the size of the deposit, or free bets — depending on the conditions in a particular shop. Use conditionally donated funds as a tool to accumulate the necessary experience and do not worry if you quickly merge them.

Step 8 — Think of any loss as a useful lesson

Even the most experienced capper is not immune from annoying misses. But you should remember: it is impossible to make bets and never lose!

Strive for profit in the long run. Strictly adhere to the chosen strategy, do not follow the emotions and do not spend beyond the planned.

And when earning over a long distance becomes the norm for you, you can consider yourself a fairly skilled player.

Step 9 — Keep statistics on your bets

Each of your actions should be recorded. Make it a rule to analyze not only sports events, but also bets made. Summarize the interim results: within a week, a month — to evaluate which types of bets were more often successful and which led to losses. It will not be superfluous even to fix the time of bets made. Permanent and competent accounting is the key to minimizing mistakes in the future.

Step 10 — Adjust your strategy

The initially selected scheme of the game does not have to be a permanent dogma, even if it is profitable. Sometimes a small correction to a successful strategy can lead to even greater earnings on bets. But do not change anything under the influence of emotions or other people’s advice. Only your personal experience and rigorous analysis can serve as the basis for improving strategy. Always bet wisely!

Sports betting is only partly a gamble. Emotional beginners almost always lose their deposit, are disappointed in bets and consider bookmakers to be the standard of evil. But for many players who are not too lazy to spend time deeply studying the principles of betting, bets become a source of stable income. As in any other business, a thorough approach and a gradual movement from small to large are needed here. Each thoughtful bet is a small brick in building a solid practical experience. Play thoughtfully and you will be lucky.

We hope that with the help of our tips you will achieve significant success in the field of betting!