7 Sports Betting Mistakes Punters Should Avoid At All Costs

7 Sports Betting Mistakes Punters Should Avoid At All Costs Image

It's common for beginners to think sports betting is as easy as choosing a team and then see what happens. However, it may be more challenging than you think. Otherwise, the industry would be a total failure already.

Experienced punters know that there are advantages and drawbacks, and being aware of them will grant you more probabilities of winning.

First-timers are more likely to commit mistakes, mostly if they haven't done any research before diving into this world. As with everything, one should be familiar with the necessary terms, facts, and mechanics, mainly because you're risking your hard-earned money.

For this article, we’ll explain seven sports betting mistakes that you should avoid if you want to see a brighter future as a punter.

Modify the unit size

It’s very tempting to double down when you’re on a winning spree. But that confidence boost can be a double-edged sword. It is crucial to remain disciplined if you want to become a successful punter in the long-term.

One of the most common mistakes that beginners commit is modifying the unit size, depending on how well or bad is the situation for them.

It's more recommended for punters to walk towards the "flat-betting" path. This term refers to deciding what percentage of your bankroll is more convenient (usually from one to five percent) and placing that same amount in all your wagers. Most punters stick to only betting a three-percent of their bankroll.

This approach will make you save money in the long-run, and will prevent you from going bankrupt when a lousy season comes. It will also grant you an upbeat Return on Investment (ROI) in good times.

Playing too much

Betting can quickly become an addiction. However, every punter knows that exaggerating and placing wagers on multiple games the same night can be risky for your finances.

When you bet, you’re risking a particular amount of money. Losing a game will have an impact on your bankroll, and placing too many bets can increase your possibilities of decimating your current funds.

Due to these facts, bettors need to remain calm and limit the wagers they place every day (or when they decide to play).

Settling for unrealistic expectations

Betting is an exciting hobby, but it can be counterproductive when you let your excitement get the best of you. It’s a common mistake for new punters to have “lofty” expectations when they first get started in the niche, but we can’t blame them.

When you’re first starting, you think you’ll win most of the games you place wagers on – but that’s not possible.

Picking favorites

While we all have a favorite team when it comes to sports, betting for them all the time may not be a good idea. While choosing mainstream teams to place your wagers on is not necessarily a bad idea, it can be counterproductive as there are better opportunities. You will realize this is true when you do your research for your next game.

When you bet against that particular team, it can grant you the favorable result you may not expect. This action is known as going "contrarian."

Not shopping for the best line.

Line shopping is crucial when it comes to sports betting. Therefore, you must have an extensive list of sportsbooks for better opportunities in the long-term.

Different sportsbooks will have different lines, and you can get free points by registering in multiple books. Although it may not seem like something essential at first,  you will realize it will make a difference between winning or losing a particular bet.

You ignore sharp action.

This factor is related to going, contrarian. All bettors want to be in the same place as those who have a high winning rate and are known to succeed.

You can spot "sharp action" by understanding what "Reverse Line Movement" is about: when the lines are moving on the contrary direction, the betting percentages show.

Gambler’s Fallacy

Gambler's Fallacy is a common term within the community. It refers to the idea that if a particular event happens regularly, it won't happen in the future. For example, if a team loses two games, they do not have the next win guaranteed.

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