A 101 on sports betting for newbies

09-05-2009

Sports betting is gaining more popularity by the day. It has moved out from seedy locales and lost its aura of disreputability and danger. It has become a field where you can gain both knowledge and money. So if you are a newbie here are some ground rules to follow:

Sports Betting research and read up

Research sportsbooks, there is plenty of information available, particularly on the Internet. Remember, it is vital to make the correct choice, and it is not as simple as it seems. Do a Google search and familiarize yourself on the various sportsbooks available, and what each specializes in. Read reviews to determine which are the safe sites, and also ensure that the ones you are keen on will accept you as a player. Several don’t take US players.

Check out the bonus offers

Also, check out the welcome bonuses that various sites offer, and pick what seems most generous as well as safe to you. This is particularly important if you are a beginner. On the other hand, if you want to bet big, it will be good to check out which sites offer the best deposit options. You could try contacting the sportsbook personally and talking to the managers to see if you can negotiate good figures.

Get familiar with the lines

Next, capitalize on the fact that linesmakers have to put out lines on every game, and check out the lines on the various sportsbooks. It is useful to know these details, though you don’t really have to go into each and every game in every sport. You will probably find that the local favourite isn’t the team with the best lines.

Have a comfortable account

Make sure your account gives you enough leeway to sustain the losses that are bound to come before you hit that winning streak. Ideally, the amount should be a hundred times the price of one unit. So if you’re going to bet on units worth ten dollars each, your account should have a thousand dollars.

Study sports betting strategies

Each game has its own betting style. Football wagers for instance are on the basis of a certain team plus or minus points, while hockey bets revolve around an outright win, usually. Read about the subject to decide for yourself which strategy is the most feasible and remember that you don’t really have to go with the tide.

Stick to the straight ones

Last but not the least, don’t get lured by exotic or offbeat bets, stick to the straight ones. They are the most likely to pay off. It is in the interest of the sportsbook to get you to bet on two-on-three on a parlay and other such wagers, which restrict your eligibility to cash out, but at the same time, greatly increases your chances of losing it all. Here’s wishing you all the best!