Sports betting has become an integral part of the sports fan experience, with billions being wagered on games every year. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the betting options, so here are some tips for making smarter wagers.
Understand odds
The odds of a game or event tell you two things: 1) how likely the outcome is, and 2) how much you’ll profit if you win. If the odds are low, it’s a good bet to place; conversely, high odds mean that the sportsbook expects the outcome to happen very rarely, and offers a big payout for winning bets.
Learn how to read American odds, which are three digits long and may have a plus or minus sign in front of them. The minus sign indicates the favored team, while the plus sign indicates the underdog. You can also find odds calculators on the web that will help you figure out these numbers quickly and easily.
Stick to a strategy
Sports betting is an art form as well as a science, and following a proven system will give you the best chance of consistently making money. There are countless strategies that exist, but many have failed in the face of a rigorous analysis of matchups, teams, and players. Regardless of which strategy you choose, it’s important to keep your emotions in check and use objective reasoning when placing bets.
Use line-shopping to your advantage
When a game has a wide spread, it’s an opportunity to take advantage of pricing discrepancies between sportsbooks. The difference between an over/under of 7.5 and 8.5 might seem small, but it will make a significant impact on your profits. If you’re looking for an edge in MLB, focus on over/under bets with lines of 9.5 or higher. These numbers indicate that the sportsbooks expect high-scoring games, which is favorable for underdogs to cover.
Follow expert analysts
Having in-depth knowledge about the sport you’re betting on will improve your chances of winning. It will help you avoid making bets based on emotion, which can lead to big losses. If you’re a casual sports fan, consider investing in a subscription to a professional sports analyst. These experts devote their lives to studying teams and players, and can offer insight into which bets are most profitable. They can help you make smarter bets on over/unders, spreads, and propositions. They can also provide valuable insights into upcoming games and events. You can find these professionals on social media, or at major sports sites like ESPN and CBS Sports. They often share their best picks for upcoming games with their followers. Investing in this expertise can dramatically boost your profitability over the long term.