If you’re looking to make some extra cash on the side then you may want to consider sports betting. But with so many sports to place your bets on and betting odds seemingly intimidating, so many would-be bettors don’t try their luck. How do you go about betting on sports? You want to have a cohesive strategy when it comes to betting on sports and you want to ensure that you make a lucrative income from it.
Here’s what you need to know about sports betting:
1. What Can You Bet On?
You have to realize that betting on sports isn’t simply putting your money on which team or which player you think you’ll win. For example, you can bet on actual outcomes such as how many points a particular team will score. You can place a bet on which round will it take for one boxer to knock out another boxer!
But as a beginner to sports betting you might want to keep things simple at first. Stick to a sport that you know well and that you follow regularly. Stick to betting on the outcomes of the matches. After you become acclimated to sports betting then you can consider the other unique strategies to profit off sports tournaments. You also don’t always have to bet on professional sports.
For example, there are many opportunities to bet on collegiate sports. You can learn more here: https://www.oddstrader.com/ncaa-college-basketball/.
2. Managing Your Money Before Sports Betting
This is the most crucial aspect that you must learn how to master before jumping into sports betting. It’s always wise to consult a financial advisor before you try sports betting. You want to ensure that you never bet more than you can lose. As you start betting you want to bet as little as possible. Focus on building your skills and master a particular strategy before you try to rake in the cash.
You want to create a separate bank account solely for betting. The money in this account should get used only for placing bets and storing your winnings. Never use money from your other bank accounts for this account. Never dip into emergency funds or even your salary to finance this account. Your betting money should consist of disposable income that you’ve always had and can afford to lose. Should this bank balance decrease then you want to take a break from sports betting.
3. Put Emotions Aside
You might prefer Team A over Team B but if the latter has a better chance then that’s who you’ve got to put your bet on. Remember, you’re here to make money and not root for your team or a player like an ordinary fan.
There are other emotions that you must also put aside when placing bets for a sports match. For example, you might want Argentina to win a soccer match against Saudi Arabia since the former has been one of the favorite teams in FIFA. But if Saudi Arabia has been improving as a team you might want to reconsider your position. One imagines such a scenario occurred at the 2024 Qatar World Cup when Saudi Arabia did indeed defeat Argentina! You also have to clear your mind of any other emotions you’ve felt during the day. We all understand that life gets in the way and sometimes we spend the entire day in a bad mood.
On such a day you shouldn’t place your bets at all. It doesn’t matter if you know what you’re doing and there’s a “surefire” way that you’ll make money. You might miss out on an opportunity to miss the money and you might look back in anger. But it’s always better to be safe than sorry. When you place bets when you’re emotional then you might end up with a huge loss. Always put your emotions aside and if you can’t then you must take a break from sports betting.
4. Set Limits
Whenever you go about betting on sports you must set limits. This goes for when you start sports betting and should continue even if you become a professional gambler! Take your time to increase limits and always do so gradually. For example, you might decide to bet $100 per game when you start. It should take you at least six months of continuous betting before you increase this limit.
When you increase this limit try to keep it no more than 50% higher. So in this example, you would increase your limit from $100 to $150 after six months of continuous betting. Your limits should be on how much you bet and how much you’re willing to lose. For example, if you’re willing to lose $25 each time then you must stop betting if you reach this limit.
This is often the toughest challenge for beginner bettors. You might want to keep going until you win if you’ve been facing a losing streak. But this is precisely when gamblers lose their shirts! Always set limits and stick to them no matter what. Accept the loss and move on and place your next bet on another day.
5. Create a Pleasant Atmosphere
The final step is to ensure that your atmosphere is conducive to sports betting sessions. You’ll need several hours to yourself to watch a game and focus on your sports betting. You need to have a quiet room where you can focus. If you live with others, ensure that they respect your privacy during this time. Never place bets on a busy day. Try to rid your home of all other distractions so that you can focus solely on sports betting.
Place Your Bets
Now you know how sports betting works and how you can succeed at making a lucrative income. You have to first understand all the different outcomes you can bet on. Start simple before getting into more complex outcomes. You must learn how to manage your money before placing bets. You have to put your emotions aside and always set limits when you bet. You must also create a pleasant atmosphere so you can focus on your sports betting. You can read more articles on gambling and sports on our website.
