Submitted by rsteel on
There is NO cookie cutter model to follow in sports betting to guarantee success. What works for one person may not work for another. What I do suggest is handicap from a position of your strengths while improving in areas you think will help you find value more effectively.
However do not confuse the above with what I preach on an ongoing basis and that is the key principles that bettors NEED to follow in order to succeed. Call them foundations for success regardless of the sports you bet.
Especially these days do not become overwhelmed with the huge amount of articles and information available. Some of it is good some bad some mediocre and some contradictory. My point filter all of it do not just accept as gospel. If you are unsure run it by someone you trust and discuss.
I have spent decades adding and subtracting to my tool chest revising updating and adapting to ever changing market conditions; BUT never ignoring the basics the fundamentals that govern this business.
1. Keep your eye on the goal. The goal is to have a positive R.O.I. Small sample sizes bad beats wash away when you focus on the big picture. Do not overreact to winning and losing streaks. The best bettors are the best because they know how to lose and not let it adversely affect them while anticipating their return to winning ways.
2. The sports book line maker is not your enemy. All they are doing is setting the opening line and shading it to where they anticipate the money will come in. The lines move based on fellow bettors and what they perceive to be value. Fully understand how the market works in order for you to take advantage and be successful.
3. Bad beats bad luck is temporary your knowledge your skill is not. You could place the same bet 10 times and you could win that bet 9 out of 10 times but realize it is NEVER going to be 10 out of 10 times. I have mentioned before to always perform your post bet reviews. If you answer that even though you lost you would make this same bet again given the same parameters than you have done your job. Accept the loss and move on.
4. No basics article is ever complete without mentioning money management. If you are betting full time or want to go full time managing your bankroll and betting properly is critical. Betting effectively includes substantial line shopping and timing the market; topics I have written about extensively that you can search up in betting tips page of my website OR on my you tube channel Professional Sports Handicapping.
The above information is your foundation your pillars that need to be used regardless of the handicapping techniques you incorporate or the size of your bankroll.