How to win at Sports Betting

[pokerprop]

Reading sports betting forums it is so apparent why most people lose at sports betting, so let me go ahead with a few tips on how to win, because really its not that hard.

#1) Manage your bankroll. Everday figure out what your bankroll is at currently and then risk 1-2% of your bankroll on each bet. If you're sure you're a winner and are hitting an amazing clip then the max you'll want to ever go is 2.75%.

^Rule number one is so key, once that's followed all other rules apply. In fact I'm going to start the next list with Rule #1 again, because the above rule is much more than #1 on some list, it's like the glue - the most important concept in sports betting. Why? Because even if you're an expert and betting only 57% winners, if you bet 10 games per week there is a near 30% chance you're going to hit an 0-8 streak at least once per year. Chasing losses is for losers, and if you're prone to do this and can't stomach a standard 8 in a row loss, than this isn't for you and there is little chance you're going to win long term.

With that out the way, here are the most important concepts:

#1 Get the Best Price and Line

Take advantage of bonuses, promotions etc, and always bet with the best line. To do this you'll need 10 or so sites you shop. This is easy thanks to tools such as Sports Betting Odds - Offshore Sportsbook Odds

Today someone said they were thinking of betting Titans -2.5 @ 5Dimes priced -120. I told them -2.5 -110 is available at TheGreek and they said thanks but I don't use that site. This person more or less just told me no thanks I prefer to just be a losing bettor, yet he's posting this on a strategy site about sports betting.

100% fact about sports betting - There are FAR more winning line shoppers than there are winning handicappers. To beat sports betting over the long haul YOU HAVE TO GET THE BEST PRICE. For a recreational bettor look at things like Sportsbook.com and BetJamaica -105 pricing on Fridays (Half Juice Fridays).

Betting a Teaser? (Make sure it is +EV, google this topic *Basic Strategy Teasers* or go to any sports forum and look for the topic sometimes called Wong Teaser.) If you have a +EV teaser make sure you're betting it at a site with best odds. 3 team +180 teaser is better than 2 Team -110. Also TheGreek offers 5 team +500 teasers which even makes some additional subsets profitable in weeks four plays fall into basic strategy.

^Perhaps the above is too advanced for this discussion. Basically though make sure you get the best line and the best price. Today I seen someone post they bet Steelers -14.5, WOW! Steelers are available at several sites today for -13.

Sometimes its not so clear cut. -6.5 -102 or -6 -110. Which one to bet? Here you'll want to refer to SBR Half Point Calculator.

Sports betting is a game of pushing small edges over and over again. It might seem like pinching pennies or just a dollar or two, but when compounded (remember opening post you're betting based on a percentage of bankroll) it adds up a ton. You want to work on getting the best price.

Guess what?
There are no other rules. We have rule #1 and another rule #1 only. Add in some bonuses and develop small other skills in time and you can improve win rate. Simply getting the best price all the time is enough that you're probably going to win a little or lose a little, and I tend to think if you're using all sites and always getting best price you're going to win long term.

Beyond that there are several things I can share that will help you determine which side you're looking to get the best price on, but I'll save those for a separate post when I have more time.

[MJ]

I would have paid you for this article haha, it will be interesting to see if this gains any natural links. Great post.

[Newjabber]

Very nice Prob, you make me want to start betting lol

[Stocks]

Good article Prop you need to make a site and put all your sports betting knowledge on there I think it would be a good site.

[3jokers]

Yes, these articles are gold, you really should make a website for it.

[Spry]

Good article Prop you need to make a site and put all your sports betting knowledge on there I think it would be a good site.

picks.org anyone? seriously man w/ the knowledge you've spilled in the nfl threads on here you'd have a sick site going (i know, i know you sold that, just sayin)

[jdwanchalk]

I think sharing all of this on a forum where it will be immediately useful is more attractive than a long term project where many people won't get to see it. I know I posted my better poker advice years ago on 2p2, not in articles. Maybe prop would rather share here than turn it into "work," idk.

[Dag_Arbisa]

Very nice article pokerprop, i wish i had read this article somedays back.. lost heavy on sports betting the other night and i know its because of lack of knowledge on basic rules and regulation that you mentioned here...
Well, thanx for his very informative articles....