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It would be nice to say that there’s one easy, foolproof way to become a better sports bettor. Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. Sports betting is a complex process with countless moving parts. What was a good bet five minutes ago may now be a waste of money. Knowing how and when to strike is crucial.
With that said, those willing to put in the work can absolutely become successful sports bettors. It just takes time, research, and a good strategy to give yourself a real chance of beating the oddsmakers and turning a profit.
Below, we’ll go over some important strategies to employ as you aim to up your sports betting game. These aren’t the only tips we can offer, but they’re some of the most essential.
Key Sports Betting Strategies to Master
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to fortify your approach, these five strategies can help you bet smarter.
- Using statistics and data
- Considering external factors
- Specialization
- Betting with your head, not your heart
- Shopping for the best line
Below, we’ll take a closer look at each of these techniques and uncover some ways that you can work them into your approach.
Use Statistics and Data
It’s always wise to back up your bets with the best available statistics and data. You should never bet blind without at least seeing if the numbers back up your stance.
Official sources are your best option when it comes to digging up reliable information. League websites have dedicated stats pages with everything you could ever need to know, whether it’s team rankings, player averages, or deeper, more advanced statistics.
There are also companion databases that make information more accessible. If you’re looking for something quickly, these can be a better option than scanning through pages of unsorted statistics.
There are a lot of practical applications for using stats. Player props is one area where these can be especially useful. If a player is projected to score over 20.5 points, but their season average is only 16 points per game, you may be inclined to bet the under.
Consider External Factors
As great as statistics are, they aren’t always the most reliable predictor of future events. There are a lot of external factors that go into determining the outcome of a game or whether or not a player hits the over on a specific prop.
Take injuries, for example. If someone is playing through an ankle sprain, they may not be able to perform at their full potential. Furthermore, if they end up being ruled out of a game due to injury, a team may have to go to great lengths to make up the difference.
Sometimes, a team’s response to a critical injury is fairly predictable. This is especially true in the NBA, as player absences are common. Knowing who a team promotes to the starting lineup in place of a star player can help you make more informed decisions.
There are also factors that are more difficult to quantify, like revenge games and scheduling advantages or disadvantages. Focusing on a small handful of teams rather than an entire league can help you have a better understanding of certain external factors that swing games.
Specialization is Key
On that note, let’s touch on the importance of specialization. Most college basketball bettors do not bet on all of Division I basketball. Many of the most successful gamblers will focus on one conference or team instead, as it’s easier to maintain a more substantial amount of knowledge about a small handful of teams than an entire country’s worth.
Knowledge, really, is power in sports betting. The more narrow your focus, the more information you’ll have in that specific area, giving you a bigger edge over the oddsmakers and the rest of the betting public that may only pay attention to the biggest games.
Use Your Head, Not Your Heart
It can be easy to bet with your emotions. Maybe you’re a fan of one of the teams you’re interested in betting on, or perhaps the opposite is true. In either case, it’s not easy to disregard your biases for or against different players and teams.
Betting with your head is the best way to ensure that you always give yourself the best chance at success. That means using statistics, thinking outside the box, and considering all possible angles before placing your bet. Don’t think about what you want to happen – that much should be irrelevant.
If you need help eliminating your biases, consider looking into OddsTrader’s computer picks.These predictions are programmed without bias and run solely on computer simulations, so you’ll never have to worry about personal preference sneaking into the equation.
Even if you feel validated in your decision, it couldn’t hurt to get one more “expert” opinion before locking in your wager.
Shop for the Best Line
Any serious sports bettor knows that there isn’t one “best” sportsbook because no two sportsbooks post the same betting lines. One betting site might have a moneyline priced at +130, while the other has it at +145. That might seem like a small difference, but in the grand scheme, those subtle variations really add up.
As such, it’s essential to make sure you’re always getting the best odds available for every bet. Otherwise, you’re trading value for convenience, and that’s hardly a winning strategy.
Use our odds comparison table to instantly see betting lines available for top games from the world’s most reputable international sportsbooks.
Sports Betting FAQs
Still curious about how to improve your sports betting skills? Check out some FAQs below.
How important is a sports betting budget?
All sports bettors should come up with a budget before they begin gambling. Crunch the numbers and figure out how much you’re willing to lose each week or month. Only then should you start determining how much money to stake on each bet.
Should you bet with or against the public?
Generally speaking, the betting public should not be followed. Circumstances vary, but the public heavily favors large-market teams (Cowboys, Lakers, Yankees, etc.), and oddsmakers know this. Sometimes the public has things nailed down, but for the most part, your decisions should be made independently of how the public is going.
Should parlays be correlated?
Yes, parlays should absolutely be correlated. For example, if you’re building a same-game parlay for an NBA game, it wouldn’t be in your best interest to take the under on the game total alongside three or four overs on player points props. Those bets are in conflict with one another, and you’re only shrinking the window in which your bet can be successful.
