Submitted by rsteel on
Shocking breaking news most casual bettors do not make money from sports betting. This is not a terrible thing. If every bettor won there would be no sports books left to pay us out.
Remember just like in poker the casino is not our competition other poker players are. In sports betting the sports book is not your opponent other sports bettors are. You cannot beat a casino or sports book long term anyway the odds are in their favor and their resources bankroll to deep. The good news we can beat Joe public consistently and long term. The sports book is just a broker. It simply takes the money from the losing bettors passes it on the winning bettors and keeps their cut.
The biggest difference between the sharp bettor and the recreational bettor is expectations. Sharps expect to win recreational players do not. Recreational players fall prey to ridiculous claims of 60% winning (most claims much more inflated than that) locks of the year, inside info etc. etc.
A skilled bettor who over the long term produces a 55-45 win percentage has a major edge. I know it does not sound sexy or glamorous but at this level you are already in the top 1% in the world making substantial profits and return on investment. Sharp bettors are not focused on big scores but realistically grinding it out and letting their 55-45 edge take over long term.