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Sports Gambling Maxims
When looking back at a year of college football, and necessarily college football betting, gone by it is easy to note some of the mistakes we have made in attempts to increase our bankroll. Though most folks who have bet for a long period of time should have overcome all of these pratfalls (especially if they hope to be at all successful) I see entirely too many betting "Veterans" make these "Rookie" mistakes.
So collected here for you today are
"Bryan Mulroneys Sports Betting Maxims"
(Use them and prosper or ignore them at your peril.)
1. Always be in control
This is maxim #1 because it is the paramount virtue of all bettors. Betting should not be done on a whim or just to have some cash riding on the game (unless you are chalking up the $10 wager as an entertainment expense.) When betting games you should be sober, clear headed, and able to explain in 20 words or less to a buddy why the money youre laying is a good bet. If you cannot offer at least a moderately compelling reason for betting, you should pick your money up.
2. Leave your emotions at the door
Everybody is guilty of violating this maxim at one point or another. You know the Big 12 (or the SEC, or Big Ten, etc) is the toughest conference in the country and so you want them to spank that undefeated OOC team that plays in the weak Big East (ACC, Pac-10, etc) . You let your money ride on a bad line taking your team to beat up on the evil team from somewhere else. All too often folks rally behind a team or conference and leave their critical mind out to lunch. Betting on what you know best isnt bad, but dont let your allegiance blind you.
3. Understand the nuances
As a bettor you have to know the game. You need to know the difference between a moneyline bet and a wager against the spread. You need to understand the vig or the juice and you have to understand walking to your book and laying a nickel isnt five bucks. Further, as you gain an understanding of sports betting, youll want to know how and where to shop for the best spreads. Youll want to understand the bonuses you can get at real casinos, online casinos, and from your "neighborhood book." Each and every one of these items plays a role in a winning season and you should be well aware of them all.
4. Understand that winning is "long term"
This is a huge rookie mistake. Youll see the guy in Vegas saunter up to the counter and lay $50 on a 10 team parlay (with a few moneylines tossed in) to win some ungodly sum. He may make it through a game or two, but the probability of breaking the bank is roughly akin to that of your e-Toys stock shooting back up into the stratosphere. Now I have no beef with folks who like to parlay on occasion, but it should not be done haphazardly with the intent of gaining thousands on your $20 wager. Entertainment aside, betting should be done over the course of a season with a quality money management system and an attention to the nuances that can increase your winnings and "take home" greatly.
5. Remain skeptical
Just a quick look around online and youll see "Cappers" proclaiming 78% wins for the season or 80% on all five star plays, etc Be very skeptical of anyone who claims numbers like these. You only need 52.5% winners to make a profit (assuming 10% juice) and anyone hitting at an 80% clip is unlikely to be selling his picks online rather than vacationing at his Italian Villa that he bought when he rolled his bank account nearly 10 times the first season So with that in mind, take a good look at what is out there and use the Professionals like you would use herbal medicine maybe they work, but youll be damned if you believe without a good deal of first hand experience.
6. Read, research, and most importantly watch
If you want to be successful in sports betting you need to know sports. To know sports, you should be watching as much as you can (great excuse for the wife if you HAVE to watch for your new second occupation) and further reading and analyzing when the games arent being played. In addition to hitting the sports mega-sites (and their recycled AP stories) seek out quality content at other sites (here at ATL, Covers.com, FreeWinners.com, FootballForecasters.com, etc) and use the insights to grow your knowledge about the teams you are betting. Further, check out some message boards about teams you are considering betting that you only have minimal information for. Rabid fans of a team may be biased, but they will give you insight into minor injuries, coaching issues, etcwell before the national media (and if theyre a small team likely before any media at all)
7. Dont worry and dont chase
You will lose. You will have a down week (and possibly down weeks). But dont fret. If you do your homework, and make sure you are following the maxims above you will likely end the season a winner. Make sure you follow sound money management techniques and do not chase a loss by betting bigger on the next game or betting a game you planned to avoid in the first place.
8. Dont spend your wifes money
This might be more aptly titled, Only gamble what you can afford to lose but that has become so clich as to be obnoxious. You already know this but it is worth a brief mention. Do not be ashamed if all your bankroll permits are a few $5 bets each weekend. There are plenty casinos that will be happy to take you wager. Stay within your boundaries and as you grow your bankroll you can increase the number of dollars you lay on each game.
And thats about it folks. Im sure there are a variety of other topics that could be elaborated upon for days, but for the most part, if you stick to the maxims above you should end every season with your head well above water.
Cheers and good luck
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