Sports betting craze has gone a
notch higher. On newspapers, magazines and popular sports websites, lines and
spreads of games, insider tips and predictions appear routinely; while in the
pubs and in other public places, people discuss Sportpesa, Bet Yetu, Mcheza,
Betpawa, Betway, Betin and other sports betting companies with amazing frequency. While
the exact figures of the money getting into sports betting is almost impossible
to calculate, it is a fact that billions of shillings are wagered every year in
football, tennis, basketball and other games.
Where does all that money go?
Not into the pockets of the average sports bettors. Every month, fewer than 3
in every 10 sports bettors turn profit. And over the course of one year, the
number of sports bettors who make profit is almost insignificant. The reality
is that standard bets are designed in a way that makes it difficult for sports
bettors to make profits. In fact, a standard bet requires a bettor to use more
to win less, meaning that the average person is more likely to lose more money
than he can win.
But while the odds are usually
heavily against bettors, you can still find a way to win on a consistent basis
and turn profit. To achieve this, you must have a plan of what you want to do
and stop betting with your heart. You must not be jaded by the teams or drawn
into betting by ongoing competitions. It is not wise to bet on World Cup
football games or Olympic Games just because people are watching the
competition. On the contrary, you should identify the teams you can
conveniently track and consistently place bets on them. Successful sports
bettors do not bet because they want to be involved, they bet because they have
found great opportunities to exploit.
Here are the top 16 most reliable sports betting tips that will help you to turn profit.
Here are the top 16 most reliable sports betting tips that will help you to turn profit.
1. Think Value, Not Odds
The most common mistake made by
sports bettors is prioritizing the odds over the value being offered. So when
they are making their betting decisions, they simply try to work out which team
will win and then put their bets without carefully examining the odds on offer.
In fact, majority of sports bettors do not understand “value concept” and never
pay attention to it. But if you want to be successful, you need to pay extra
attention to what you are being offered.
For example, if Germany is playing
Iceland in a World Cup qualifier, you should not rush into thinking that “I
will bet on Germany because they are going to win.” What if Germany is offered
odds of 1.19 while Iceland is offered odds of 500? If in your opinion, Iceland
has 20% chance of beating Germany and you have been given odds of 500, then it
is better value to bet on Iceland because you can make more money if they win.
Don’t just bet on who you think will win, bet on who is giving you more value.
Remember, you can’t absolutely predict the result of a game and so betting on
teams that offer value can easily give you greater return.
2. Never Ignore Underdogs
It is easier to bet on teams
that will probably win. But to make more money in the long run, betting on
underdogs is a worthwhile strategy. Underdogs are often undervalued by betting
firms and are often given incredibly good odds. In fact, there is nothing
better in sports betting than putting your money on an underdog that is playing
at home. The team will play with more inspiration and will be buoyed by the
support of the home crowd to cause an upset. Slim underdogs frequently win
outright while big underdogs will rarely lose in front of their home fans if
they can manage to stretch the game towards the end.
3. Compare odds, shop for the best numbers
The odds offered by one sports
betting company can vary significantly from those offered by another. For
example, Sportpesa may be offering 2.05 on Chelsea beating Man United while
Mcheza offers 2.45 on the same. By making your bet through Mcheza, you will be
finding more value on this game than when you bet through Sportpesa. As a rule,
therefore, you should endeavor to compare offers from different sports betting
companies and sites before placing your bets. Open different accounts with
different betting firms so you can always take advantage of any opportunities
as these small gains can add greatly to your earnings in the long run.
4. There are no sure wins
Save yourself the heartbreak!
Don’t always believe that certain teams must win certain matches. This is what
makes many bettors to lose a lot of money particularly on accumulator bets. But
if you have been watching sports and following different leagues for a long
tine, you should know that the result of a match can be influenced by so many
factors that there is no team that is guaranteed to win. For instance, you may
be so sure that Barcelona will beat Celta Vigo, then just at the beginning of
their match one of Barcelona players gets a red card and they have to play 80
minutes with nine outfield players. What if Celta Vigo is given a penalty? In a
game, there are an infinite number of scenarios that may occur so you must rid
yourself of the idea that certain teams are sure winners.
5. Stick to one or two sports
Knowledge is power in sports
betting. You can only gain an edge over the bookmakers if you concentrate on
one or two sports and analyze the teams so well that you can quickly tell when
there is an opportunity to beat the bookies. Specializing in one or two sports
means you can go deep into the statistical details of different teams, keep
detailed logs and track various players in order to come up with winning bets.
Knowledge of your favorite sports also means you can easily come up with the
probabilities of a team winning and compare your chances with the odds offered
by the bookies. Besides, with the existence of different sites that offer
statistics on different teams, specializing can help you to quickly turn
profit.
6. Keep up-to-date records
For many sports bettors, record
keeping is a waste of time. In fact, this is why so many bettors do not make profit.
With up-to-date records, you can easily turn a losing streak into a winning
run. Accurate records enable you to spend less time comparing and analyzing
teams and allow you to make well-informed choices. To be a successful sports
bettor, you need to keep records of the teams you bet on, the odds you get, how
much money you stake, and the result and returns of the bets. Consider breaking
down your bets into different categories, such as type of sport, type of bets,
type of events (competitions) or your confidence level with your bets. Analyze
your records regularly so you can get a good idea of the bets that are most
profitable and in turn fine-tune your strategies in order to increase your
winnings.
7. Register with the best sports betting companies
With the rising popularity of
sports betting, several companies have come up and many bettors find it
difficult to figure out which companies to use.
Well, most sports betting companies are fairly decent, but you need to
consider convenience and trustworthiness. You should register with a company
that gives you the best possible online experience. The company you choose
should also be reputable and must have a track record of paying out bettors as
soon as possible. With mobile money becoming increasingly critical in sending
and receiving money, you should choose a company that allows money to be sent
and received through your mobile platform with minimal or no charges.
8. Master the rules and regulations
After registering on a sports
betting site, make sure to first understand the rules and regulations before
you begin placing bets. This is often critical if you want to claim bonuses and
special offers as there are usually certain terms and conditions that apply.
Many sites also require you to have a certain minimum amount before you can
make a withdrawal while some even require you to apply for withdrawals at
specific hours. You should also know the minimum amount you can stake, the maximum
amount that can be won, the maximum number of games you can combine in an
accumulator bet, and other relevant rules that may affect you.
9. Beware of those who offer paid-for tips and picks
There are hundreds of
organizations and individuals that offer paid-for tips and tricks, but very few
of them actually offer value for money. Many of them do not know what they are
doing and are just out to exploit unsuspecting individuals. Instead of seeking
their help, concentrate on improving your betting skills and knowledge. This
will save you a lot of money. Moreover, most of these services are insecure.
Ignore the predictions made by football experts on TV talk shows. If you listen
to the advice of ex-players and football experts, you will lose. Instead, look
for advice from someone who is experienced and successful in sports betting.
But more importantly, do your own research and trust your ability to make the
right predictions.
10. Exploit bonuses and promotions
Various sports betting
companies offer amazing bonuses, rewards and promotions to encourage customers
to register and remain loyal. Make sure to search for these bonuses and rewards
and to take advantage of them as much as possible. Special offers and
promotions can also provide extra value and boost your profits.
(11) Manage your money properly
You are betting to make money
and earn profit. You are not taking all that time just to lose money. Therefore, you
must learn to manage your money properly so you do not lose more than you make.
As a rule, you should never bet more than 50% of your bankroll at once. Doing
so will quickly expose you to making irrational decisions when you lose.
Ideally, a single bet should be 3-10% of your bankroll and should only increase
when you win but must be reduced when you lose. For example, if your bankroll
is Ksh 1000, you must never place more than Ksh 100 on a single bet. It is also
important never to spend more money than you can afford to lose.
(12) Keep it simple
Sports bettors are often
tempted to make long, complicated bets. While such bets can sometimes win big
money, they rarely win. Therefore, it is important to keep your bets as simple
as possible, especially when you are starting out. Doing singles, doubles and
trebles can be safer for beginners while complex bets should only be placed by
those who are experienced and have analyzed the teams they combine in their
bets thoroughly.
(13) Remain disciplined
Discipline means placing bets
using money that you can afford to lose. You must avoid staking your rent, fare
or school fees. Likewise, you should not take a loan to wager as you can lose
all the money. Using money that you can’t afford to lose means you will be
highly emotional and your ability to make sound decisions will be greatly
hindered, resulting in wrong bets. Secondly, you must decide how much money you
are willing to wager and then set it aside as your bankroll. Once you have a
bankroll, you should decide what percentage of it you are going to risk on any
single bet. The amount you risk per bet must never be more than 10% of your
bankroll (ideally it should be 3-5%). Thirdly, discipline also means keeping
your head down during a bad spell so you do not make more mistakes. For
instance, you should not chase losses during a bad run.
(14) Bet when sober
Betting and alcohol do not mix.
Alcohol will cloud your judgment and push you to make rash decisions. Never go
on a betting spree after drinking as you will make many mistakes and lose a lot
of money. To succeed in betting, make sure to operate with a clear mind and to
always avoid placing wagers when you drink (or when drunk).
(15) Place your bets at the
right time
If you decide to place your bet
on the favorite team, make sure to do so early before many bettors rush in to
place bets. This way, you will get good value. On the contrary, if you intend
to place your bet on the underdog, then wait to place your bet just before the
game when people are rushing for the favorite and the odds on the underdog go
up. While not all games will have their odds changing like this, following this
rule can always give you good value.
(16) Try live betting
In-play betting (also called
live betting) offers a remarkable opportunity for making money. Live betting
means placing bets on an event that has already started and you are able to
watch the action before you decide which team to bet on. If you can quickly
analyze what is happening and predict the final result correctly, live betting
can give you a big advantage.
Conclusion
Well, there are many possible
ways of beating the bookies and you can only master them with experience. But
for a start, the tips above can help you to make successful bets and make
consistent wins.
At Sportszu, we wish you good luck.
Bet responsibly.
At Sportszu, we wish you good luck.
Bet responsibly.
