Here’s something that might break some of your spirits right off the bat: Most people who bet on sports end up losing money in the long run. It’s not a secret; successful and profitable sports betting enthusiasts aren’t the majority. Winning at sports betting is no easy task!
But it’s not impossible either.
There are certain things you can work on to improve your chances of success. For example, there are certain skills that’ll put you above the average sports bettor. Let’s take a closer look!
Three Tips to Help You Win More Sports Bets
Not everyone has the same approach to sports betting. Most people are just casually in the niche, looking for entertainment more than anything else. Earning a bit of money on the side is simply a bonus for them.
However, some bettors are in it primarily for the money. They are in it to win it, and they won’t stop till they hit the jackpot.
No matter which group you belong to, these following facts ought to help you reach more wins at sports betting sites!
Start With the Right Sports Betting Site
Let’s address the most important things first—where should you bet on sports in 2024? Well, BetUS and MyBookie seem to be the best options nowadays. They’ve been at the top of the online sports betting market last year, too. Come to think of it, not much has changed in the upper echelons of online gambling in 2024.
- Follow this link to learn more about what factors make these the best online sportsbooks
Understanding Value
What is value when it comes to betting? It’s simple. A bet has value if the odds on an outcome pay more than they realistically should. A valuable bet doesn’t mean it’s a fool-proof, risk-free recipe for success. Finding (and understanding) valuable bets is only a part of the job, though!
There are other things you’ll have to keep tabs on, some of which we’ll explain further down the line. For now, we leave you with our in-depth guide on understanding value in sports betting. If you’re not up to speed on stuff like +EV sports bets, exploiting parlays, and teasers, that guide is a must-read!
Having a Proper Betting Strategy
Finally, let’s talk about strategy. You need a strategy—end of discussion! Even if you’re a casual bettor, having a strategy to guide you is a nice benefit. It’s not mandatory, though. But if you’re already knee-deep in sports betting and you’re looking to gain long-term profits, having a proper sports betting strategy is mandatory!
If you want more detailed advice on setting up your long-term sports betting setup, take a look at our sports betting strategy page!
Expected Value (EV) Explained
Expected value is a term professional gamblers use on a regular basis. To explain what it means in simple terms I’ll use an example. Let’s say me and you decided to have a coin flipping contest. We flip coins and you give me $1 for each outcome of heads; I give you $1 for each outcome of tails. We could flip coins for all eternity and neither of us will ever have an advantage because on average half the time we lose $1 half the time we win $1. While there will be swings back and forth, as long as we flip the coin enough times eventually we’ll both break even.
This particular bet has neutral expected value.
Now let’s say I’m tired of flipping coins, and want to quit, but while begging me to stay you offer me a better deal. This new deal pays me $1.10 for every heads, and I still pay you $1.00 for every tails. What happens now is half the time I win $1.10 and half the time I lose $1.00. If we flip 100 times I should average 50 wins of $1.10 ($55) and 50 losses of $1 ($50). Every flip of the coin I have a positive expectation (+EV) of 5 cents. As the one offering me this proposition you have the opposite, every flip of the coin is 5 cents –EV for you.
Every wager made in sports betting has either a positive expected value (+EV), negative expectation value (-EV) or in rare cases neutral expected value. Winning sports betting requires avoiding –EV and finding +EV bets.
Finding +EV Sports Bets
The reasons most sports bettors don’t spend time learning the tricks of advantage players is it’s slightly time consuming, most have no leads how to do it, are overwhelmed or when they do learn it’s not actually fun. If you’re looking for something fun we suggest paint balling, a trip to the amusement park, circus or what have you. If you’re looking to actually make money then you’ll need to know how to find +EV bets.
Do’s and Don’ts of Online Sports Betting
Sports Betting Do’s
Do Extensive Pre-Match Research
- Extensive pre-match research is the foundation of becoming a successful bettor. You need to be up to speed on the latest news regarding the competition, both teams, and both sets of players! Don’t half-bake your research; that’s a quick way to splurge through your bankroll!
Manage Your Betting Bankroll
- Bankroll management allows you to know when and how much you can bet on. Whether it’s weekly, monthly, or yearly, a proper bankroll management system is a must for all pro sports bettors looking to up their long-term success.
Always Be on the Lookout for Better Odds
- Don’t just settle with the first sports betting site you stumble upon. Take your time, explore your options, and find the one that features the best odds. Profit margins tend to vary from bookie to bookie; finding one with generous numbers will do you a world of good in the long run.
Explore Parlay and Prop Betting Options
- Match-winner bets are great, no doubt about that. But they aren’t always the ideal solution. That’s why it’s important to mix things up when the timing’s right! Esports betting is a fruitful turf for parlays, so exploit it while you still can. And don’t forget about prop bets. They’re always a good source of high-value bets.
Enjoy Betting on Your Favorite Sports
- Last but not least, enjoy what you do! As stated earlier, most sports bettors are casuals; regular folks who don’t expect massive wins and bet just for the thrill of the chase. Chances are, you’re among them too. If that’s the case, it’s good to brush up on your knowledge regarding winning at sports betting… But you don’t have to bother with that too much, unless you keep wasting tons of money, that is.
Sports Betting Don’ts
Don’t Trust Self-Proclaimed Betting Experts
- The internet is full of YouTube videos and fake blog sites with self-proclaimed betting experts running the show. These sites will typically claim they have inside knowledge and/or fixed wagers. They’ll also charge you for accessing VIP content. Needless to say, we’re talking about scams here; they are not to be trusted!
Don’t Spend More Than You Can Afford
- The golden rule of sports betting is to never spend more than you can afford. That’s where bankroll management comes in. Once you pay all your bills, take a portion of the money that’s left and deposit it into your betting account. That’s your betting bankroll for the month; don’t make another deposit before the next paycheck!
Don’t Settle with a Subpar Bookie
- There are a ton of online sports betting sites offering a great bet variety, fair odds, and suitable overall experience. If you’re not satisfied with your current bookie, perhaps it’s time for a change! Click on the link above and we’ll take you to a sophisticated guide that explains everything there is to know about online sportsbooks in 2024.
Don’t Have Unrealistic Expectations
- Having unrealistic expectations won’t get you far. Sports betting isn’t for those of undisciplined nature. You have to be disciplined, patient, and calculate your every step. You need to understand that most of those from rags to riches sports betting stories aren’t real and adjust your stakes and expectations accordingly.
How to Win at Sports Betting FAQ
- Sharp Sports Betting by Stanford Wong
- Weighing the Odds in Sports Betting by King Yao
- Conquering Risk: Attacking Vegas and Wall Street by Elihu D. Feustel
Closing Thoughts
Our “how to win at sports betting” guide is all done! Giving you crucial sports betting advice has been a real pleasure. We hope you take some of it and put it to good use. Remember, it’s not the betting frequency that makes a successful bettor, it’s their patience and know-how that do the trick.
To be successful, you need a long-term plan. You need clear goals, and you need a clear set of rules. You can’t go about your betting business with absolutely no limitations whatsoever!
