The art of winning at sports gambling - Ill start a list, what can you add to it??

[dogball]

If you have been gambling for years, you allready know most of this. If you are new to the trade, you will eventually learn some of it.

I have been gambling on sports for over 20 years. It took many years of losing and infinite disappointments before I developed the skills necessary to winning $ gambling on sports with any consistency.

Picking winners is only half the battle in my opinion. You have to pick your spots, exercise discipline and money management - know when to hold them and know when to fold them so to speak.

To win in sports, you have to embrace your skills as a gambler if you have any and if not you need to recognize that and use it to your advantage.

Do not wager on to many games and do not wager for the thrill or excitement of it if you want to turn a profit.

Do not lay odds to often and never lay big odds with very few exceptions.

Stick with your system during both winning and losing streaks. If you are not wagering with confidence, or if you are doubting yourself, take a step back and get fresh.

NEVER CHASE

Lets see where this goes
Please add your tidbits if possible

 

[wilheim]

Dog - good post, experience when it is learned the right way is invaluable. I really believe a good handicapper develops instincts that can be critical when making a big play. Sometime a game just jumps out at you, while others remain total mysteries no matter how much research you do. The best piece of advice I can give is something Dogball said, never, ever CHASE. Live to fight another day.

wil.

 

[bryan305]

I dunno about some of the standard rules...picking winners is THE key to winning. You don't pick winners, you can't win money, period.

Also, if you play more games and can pick well, you will be able to turn a larger profit than if you only be a few games a night.

I've only been betting for a short period of time, but I bet on every NBA and NHL game every day...seems to be doing alright for me so far...

maybe I'm just due for a fall

 

[bryan305]

I do agree with the never chase, though...I lost 33 units on the Flyers last night, and was considering putting 66 on them tonight to recoup my loss, but they got stomped...whew

 

[fourthandpray]

I also notice it seems like underdogs usually cover or win outright in games when a favorite lays 5, 5.5,8,8.5 or 11 in football.

 

[dogball]

Bryan
When I was in college i would pick many more winners then losers but had terrible money management skills and always folded at the wrong times.
Picking winners is of vital importance, but it will not guarantee success until you have mastered some other skills, imo

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> I've only been betting for a short period of time, but I bet on every NBA and NHL game every day...seems to be doing alright for me so far... <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I dont think you will find one successful sports gambler who wagers on every game every day, I could be wrong but i doubt this is a formula for success. As for your contention you leave $ on the table if you have less action, that would depend on how much you want to win and what you wager per game.

Glad you passed on the philly game tonight.. Guess you dont wager on every game every day my man

 

[bryan305]

oh, I did bet on every game, but for that one, I took Buffalo

 

[dogball]

Wil-
Agree about the instincts, you have a wealth of experience amd knowledge from both sides of the window.

 

[dogball]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> oh, I did bet on every game, but for that one, I took Buffalo <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

LMFAO
good job bryan, nice move

 

[drunkguy]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by bryan305:
picking winners is THE key to winning. You don't pick winners, you can't win money, period.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I would disagree. If I only "pick" the right side 50% of the time, but always get the best spread available, use reduced juice, practice proper money management, and make use of bonuses, I may not make a lot of money, but I am sure as hell not going to lose it either.

Here is my wisdom to add:

ALWAYS use reduced juice and get the best line

(sometimes you have to make a compromise between the two, but knowing the value of a half point is extremely valuable in determining which line is the "best deal")

to "break even" using -107 lines, you only need to hit 51.69% winners (if you can get lower juice, even better). Many people would say that getting the "best line" can add 1-2% to your winning percentage. Add bonuses in and it should be tough to lose if you know your money management.

Doesn't work in practice because people lack DISCIPLINE. Psychology (and avoiding beating yourself) is 90% of this game.

 

[King of the Road]

For me the key has been finding a niche. It's virtually impossible to win at all sports. If you have a "day job" and/or a life, chances are you don't have time to adequately research and analyze the games sufficiently to put you in the 55% - 60% winning percentage range. For some sports I play totals almost exclusively; for other sports I play certain kinds of props almost exclusively. When I venture outside of my "zones" I struggle, but when I stick with what I know, I find a surprising amount of value to be had.

Two other points to make. One is LEARN FROM YOUR MISTAKES. That doesn't mean being afraid of your own shadow and never betting a big road favorite just b/c you bet a big road favorite once that lost. But I think there are a number of guys out there that are repeating their mistakes time and again and are failing to learn the lessons that will help them succeed.

The second point is keep in mind that no one, I mean no one, truly knows what is going to happen in any particular game. While there may be a fixed game every now and then, it is exceedingly rare, so don't waste your time on a wild goose chase waiting for some great bit of inside info to fall into your lap. Instead, trust your own judgment/analysis and yes even the gut feeling sometimes - you'd be surprised how often it's right.

 

[dogball]

Full of good tidbits allready--

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Doesn't work in practice because people lack DISCIPLINE. Psychology (and avoiding beating yourself) is 90% of this game. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Drunkguy


and

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> One is LEARN FROM YOUR MISTAKES
For me the key has been finding a niche

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


KOTR

Good input, thanks

 

[kevinla]

I have been a daily sports gambler for about a month and am still learning my strengths and weaknesses. Before finding this site, I had put myself a small hole that I am trying to dig myself out of. I am slowly beginning to believe that it is very unlikely that gambling on sports is going to be a profitable venture for me.

Cheers
KLA

 

[PO69]

My main tip would be this.

Lets say that we have 50 NCAA basketball games on a Saturday. Well study all 50 and find maybe 3-5 that you love that are dogs and bet them. Feel free to parlay them as well. But dont fall into the trap and take favorites when there are PLENTY of good dogs to bet on.

If you bet STRICKLY dogs in NBA this season at over +7, you would be hitting around 60% I believe



WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS, THEN TAKE THE POINTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You will be a winner in the long run. Hell you can even bet 3 team parlays and come out ahead if you AT LEAST take some dogs

 

[valueman]

all systems are a load of crap.

only way to win is to have better analysing skills than the odds makers and therefore you will be able to consistently bet at odds greater than the real odds.

discipline, money management etc are important but worthless if you can't consistently beat the odds compiler.

 

[Zapster]

Never play 2 team parlays on unrelated events. The 13-5 you get costs you more vig than the normal 11-10. That reverses itself when you get 6-1 on a three teamer though.

Also....this may seem a bit "hippie-dippie-ish" but step back from the battle every so often. Take a drive in the country, throw some tunes on the CD and let your thoughts turn to things other than gambling.

 

[dimeplayersonly]

i know a few successfull people that gamble for a living.....they have the following traits..

1. discipline...either you have it or you dont.
many people say they have this trait, sure
its easy to have discipline when your ahead..
get your nose wide open first, then lets see
if youve got the discipline to know when to
pull up......

2. patience......can you grind it out?? or do
want the big lick? better hope you can watch
the moss grow on trees......otherwise you may
find yourself broke...

3. if you cant get the best number then pass on
the game......dont talk yourself into laying
that extra half-point.....you will be sorry
you did, more often than not....

4. learn to adjust, if your winning enough, a
good bookmaker will adjust to your betting
habits....ie. lower limits, tossed out, ect.
(get cut-off everywhere then what???)....
i know....most people dont have to worry
about that...lol

5. keep accurate detailed records of wagering

6. money-management....systems vary.. find one
and stick to it......

and finally if you cant win at sports betting

you can always become a bookie

 

[bryan305]

dimeplayer - what do you think/know it would take for one of the top-tier books to drop you?

 

[dimeplayersonly]

BRYAN......nothing.....a top tier book ie. CRIS, PINNY, HOLLY,GRANDE..........none of those would limit your action.......being eligible for bonuses is another matter.....

books like SIA are quick to limit action and/or boot you.....
try to stay under the radar....mainly by keeping your bets at a level as to not raise eyebrows.......

if you get a rep as a scalper you might not be welcomed at some shops either.......

 

[Horseshoe]

The only person with action up and down the entire slate that makes money, is the one putting-pen-to-pad..learn it, live it!

Unless your drivers license says Walters on it, I would advise not playing the the whole college football board, unless your last name is Sharpe I wouldn't try beating all the NBA totals, unless you are a Tiger from Philly, one should just pick their best NFL sides & not the board,etc..vig will kill quicker than a cig!

P.S. King Of The Road is right, as all the best Smarts have a bread-and-butter sport , and often are even more specific than just sports(ex: totals, regional teams, & specific leagues, etc..)..this is the place for any aspiring gambler to use as an starting point.

Also, until one can master at least one sport, he/she is for all intent purposes a "follower", and should wait 'til all precincts are reporting before leaping..bad numbers or not.

[This message was edited by Horseshoe on January 14, 2004 at 07:39 PM.]