How not to lose in sports betting

Sports betting offers an amazing opportunity for people to make money. Some people have won life-changing money and the appeal of consistently making money from sports betting is great. However, sports betting is not all roses and wines. In fact, most bettors end up on the losing side in the long run.

Sport enthusiasts and bettors often have to deal with losses. We’ve all been there. It is a very difficult place to be and has led many people into bigger holes. Fortunately, sports betting is not about one or two wins, neither is it about one or two losses. It is about winning or not losing in the long run. If you are looking for how not to lose in sports betting, in the long run, the things you need to know are discussed in this article.

What are the Strategies to Avoid Losing Bets and Increase Winning Chances?

Adopting the following strategies will increase your chances of winning in sports betting:

Understand the fundamentals: this involves knowing the sport you want to bet on, which is why punters are advised to focus on their favourite sports. You should also leverage analytics such those offered by companies such as link house ai and the likes, to see trends and patterns. It is a lot already? You don’t need more than the basic knowledge. You should also understand how bookmakers operate.

Set betting goals: just like in life generally, your chances of winning in the long run without betting goals are low. Set goals, such as how much you are looking to make in a period and the number of bets you will make.

Bankroll management: this is among the most important strategies in sports betting. If you don’t want to lose in sports betting, have excellent bankroll management that involves staking only a tiny percentage (2 - 5%) of your deposit on a bet. This allows you to have enough money to stake and win in the long run. Hence, you don’t need to chase losses.

Diversify your bets: betting on different sports, leagues, and bet types reduces the risk of losing. Hence, spread your tentacles.

Pay attention to all details: details such as weather conditions, injury reports, and team dynamics are capable of significantly affecting the result of a sporting event, hence follow them closely.

Don’t set unrealistic targets: expectations are inevitable in life, but they must be realistic. Do not expect to win every bet. You will win some and you will lose some. The goal is for the value of your wins to outstrip your losses. Unrealistic targets will make you greedy, which is a recipe for loss.

Listen to tipsters but always do your analysis: learning or taking tips and predictions from tipsters is a very good idea. However, you must always do your homework. When you combine these elements, your winning chances are enhanced.

Limit multiple bets: while payouts increase with the number of selections or matches in a bet, the chances of winning fall. Therefore, it is advisable to opt for fewer selections. 

Leverage technology: there are diverse betting algorithms, software, and predictive models. Leverage them in your analysis and predictions. They make betting easier by reducing the rigor and time bettors spend on analysis.

Avoid emotional betting: your betting decisions must be based on facts only. If your emotional connection to a team or player is getting in the way, leave the team or player out. Also, don’t let the highs and lows of wins and losses influence your decisions. Stick to facts.

Treat losses as learning opportunities: always go over your betting history to identify mistakes and embrace the lessons for substance bets.

Discipline and patience: one thing you must never lose is control over your betting behavior. All the limits, rules, and boundaries you set must be respected at all times. That is discipline. Similarly, patience is vital. Do not rush anything, whether on a winning or losing streak. If, at any time, you discover you can no longer control your betting behaviour, get help.

How Does Your Choice of Bookmaker Affect Your Betting Results?

Your choice of bookmaker has a lot to say about betting results. For instance, the sports betting software providers they partner with determine your overall betting experience. Bookmakers affect your betting experience in the following ways:

Odds: profit margin often varies across sportsbooks because of the odds offered. Some sportsbooks have better odds, as well as a regular odds boost, which increases the payouts of bettors.

Live betting: to bet on events in an ongoing match, you need a highly responsive and user-friendly site, because the odds are changing regularly. Hence, your chances of making ‘quick’ money through live betting increases.

Payment and withdrawal: the best bookmakers have diverse payment options and process payments without delay.

Customer support: being able to get your queries answered and complaints resolved quickly enhances your overall betting experience.

Note: Bookmakers often partner with Pay Per Head (PPH) bookies to ensure bettors enjoy the best experience. These Pay Per Head bookies typically provide sportsbooks with the latest software, risk management, and flexibility that allow them to focus on the specific needs and preferences of bettors. They are, in turn, required to pay a per-user fee.

What Should You Do After Losing a Bet?

If you have excellent bankroll management, and you stick to it, losing a bet will not be a problem, as explained above. However, if you are on a losing streak, you have good reasons to be worried. To ensure you don’t go deeper in the hole or make a wrong turn, note the following:

Take a step back: when you are on a losing streak, it is very easy to lose your head. Hence, it is imperative to take a step back and take deep breaths. The chance you will make a better decision gets higher when you allow the associated negative emotions of a loss to dissipate.

Re-evaluate: now is the time to check your strategies again, as well as consider if you have been following them. Many bettors realise they are doing something wrong, or they are not doing something well enough, so they adjust and go again.

Take a break from gambling: sometimes, this is really necessary, especially if you can’t see what you are doing wrong, or you are out of disposable income. Take a break! Your ability to quit whenever you want is a good sign.

Don’t borrow money: many times, individuals resort to borrowing money for sports betting, with the hope of getting what they have lost back. Sadly, they end up digging deeper. As a rule, never borrow money to gamble.