No matter how you play, you have responsibilities!
A gambler, or more specifically a sports gambler, must realize that there are responsibilities that come with the opportunity to make wagers. Now that the laws have changed opening up wagering to the rest of the USA, there will be many new players. Yes, I am sure you have heard all those winners out there pounding their chest sounding as if everybody is killing it. Certainly, a thought might be "I can too". Please note that every month for the last 4+ years the Las Vegas sportsbooks have won against the "bettor"! It is actually 57 consecutive winning months now so please don't quit your day job. Though it is true there are few that can show a consistent profit, learn from what they know and how they wager.
First of all and most important of all. Your bankroll should be protected as much as you are trying to grow it. It is the goal to grow but that growth is a timely matter. Slow steady growth with some spurts of exceptional "runs" will get you to your goal. You should only be wagering the number of discretionary funds you have available. Do NOT ever wager dollars that are intended for living expenses. This is a Cardinal Sin! If you are selecting a handicapper to assist you with your selections, remember this, you control your bets. If you don't like the play or the amount suggested to wager, change it or eliminate it. Handicappers are a dime a dozen these days. A guy goes on a run for a week then decides he has the answers and begins selling services. Don't be the guy paying for advice from that kind of service. There are very reputable handicappers out there. Every service does NOT fit under the same umbrella. Build a relationship like you would with a stockbroker. It is virtually the same thing. A broker suggests companies to invest in and a handicapper suggests teams. The largest difference is the time required to get your result. A stock may take 6 months to see returns whereas a sporting event takes several hours. It is your money and you should spend it the way you want to.
Learn some valuable suggestions to get started. Here is one. There are dozens of opportunities to make wagers every day which means hundreds over the course of a month. There is no reason to play every single one! Learn to be very selective. Only make wagers where you see there is an edge to the line that is given out. This is a very key element to master from the beginning of your new journey. You are not betting teams as much as you are betting against lines! Professional bettors only make wagers they view as +EV. +EV is Positive Expected Value. If you can make a line and compare it to the betting line, you might see the value to one side or the other which generates Expected Value. This is an opportunity to wager. If you only bet on +EV situations, you will over time win money wagering on sports. In truth, you will overtime win on anything you are wagering on including poker. Successful gamblers are good at math. Knowing when you have value and how much value is important. Learn to master EV! A side effect of this will limit the number of appropriate wagers you make. There should be no limit to +EV wagers meaning that however many you find, wager them all.
A key component that is often overlooked is having fun. In general, this is why you are gambling. It is fun and might put some extra dollars in your pocket. Keep things small so the stress that can come from large wagers doesn't creep in on the ability to entertain yourself with these games. Never get so invested into one wager that you are an emotional wreck. This is easier said than done but realize as we have discussed, there are many opportunities. You will learn that sports gambling will uncover many aspects of games you didn't see prior to wagering on them. You might know what a passed ball is and that they are few in occurrence, but there are more than just a couple games decided by them over the course of a season and if you are on the wrong side of one of those, it can make you crazy! Or how about a dropped fly ball or an intentional safety? Those things happen and they do affect the outcome of a wager. My advice is simple. Once the game starts, you are only along for the ride. Enjoy the ride as much as you can knowing you might be riding against the team you are riding with today tomorrow. You can't change anything, but if it is bad enough, change the channel!
As you go down your journey, practice these simple yet effective tools to get you started!
Good Luck
Scott
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