Consistently winning at sports betting can be challenging, but having the right strategies can significantly increase your chances of success. While sometimes it’s a matter of luck, understanding and employing certain tips and methodologies can undoubtedly give you an edge.
Join us as our dedicated Sports Talk Philly betting expert explains in detail various strategies to consider to become more successful in sports betting. Without further ado, here is a panoramic and comprehensive guide to mastering the art of wagering on sports.
How To Win Betting On Sports?
When it comes to betting on sports, the main goal is to win money and earn a profit sustainably. While this sounds simple, it’s far from easy. Most people who bet on sports want to profit, but only a few succeed. Many others are happy to bet just for the fun of it.
To become profitable when sports betting at offshore sportsbooks, focus on finding an edge, specializing in one sport, learning to deal with losses, staying disciplined, and doing thorough research.
This page will explain some key strategies you should implement if you, like most, want to win betting on sports.
Winning in sports betting can be difficult at the best of times. This is because sports can be so unpredictable, making it hard to bet and turn a profit. One way bettors can become more successful at sports betting is by implementing strategies and following some essential blueprints to help. Here are our seven top strategies to implement for more profitable sports betting. One of the most essential strategies for making consistent wins when betting on sports is to be disciplined. This can be tough, but it pays off in the long run. Being selective about the games and events that you want to bet on in different sports is vital. Base your choices on solid reasoning, research, and analysis. This way, you avoid betting on everything and anything. Focus on a sport or market that suits you best. Similarly, common wagers like betting on the underdog, straight moneyline bets, or spread betting can be more rewarding than complex, exotic bets. Discipline also helps you avoid chasing losses. A loss doesn’t mean your strategy is wrong. Losses are part of the journey. What matters is how you react to them. Stay disciplined and stick to your sports betting plan. Losing is inevitable in betting, whether it’s sports betting, casino games, or any other type of wagering. Accepting losses and not chasing them will help you become a more successful sports bettor. Only bet what you can afford to lose. This means being prepared to lose that amount without getting reckless if the bet doesn’t work out. If you lose a few bets, it doesn’t mean you need to make up for them immediately. A common mistake is chasing losses with bigger stakes or betting on events you’re not familiar with. Avoid this at all costs. Be comfortable with losing and stick to your strategy. Setting your bankroll from the get-go is another wise strategy for becoming a profitable sports bettor. Conducting in-depth research about bankrolls and money management is key. This will help you control your stakes and limit losses during a bad run. As a general rule of thumb, a good place to start would be betting between 1-5% of your starting bankroll. As your bankroll increases with wins, you can increase your stakes. Sticking to this magic 1-5% range will help you keep your bets manageable, whether you win or lose. Another tip on how to win on sports betting, in conjunction with your bankroll, is using a ‘bet strength’ points system. Rate each bet on a scale of 1-5 based on how strongly you feel about it. The stronger you fancy a bet, the higher the number on this scale. This method helps you manage your bankroll more effectively. Research, research, research. It is absolutely paramount to do extensive analysis and thorough investigation before placing your bets. This is a vital component when it comes to winning at sports betting. Focus your extensive research on just a few sports that you’re very familiar with. Why would you risk placing bets on sports and markets you know less about? Are you sure this Mongolian discus thrower is going to break the national record? – I doubt it, so stick to what you know and feel comfortable with. Don’t try to be a jack of all trades. Blanket betting on all sports is tricky and will rarely result in overall profits. But focusing on a few sports and becoming more of an expert can help with winning at sports betting. All of the best online sportsbooks provide hundreds of markets across various sports. To win at sports betting, focus on just a couple of these markets, narrowing your expertise down to just a few bet types. If you do your research into the sport, team news, injury updates, head-to-head records, the weather, and any other factors, then you will give yourself the best chance of winning at sports betting. Doing key research can help find different angles to attack when incorporating a successful betting strategy. Keeping records of your bets and recording results can be very helpful when it comes to sports betting. Why? Well, it means you can quickly highlight any areas you are strong/weak at, helping identify any areas that need tweaking. Not only that, but all of the best betting experts, tipsters, and pundits do the same. If you are looking out for their tips, you can guarantee that they are recording them in their own spreadsheet. You should do the same. All of the best sports betting experts have their records and results listed. This backs up their reliability, so you should contemplate doing it yourself. For more information on building a successful sports betting model, see the link. Just betting on the first price you see or the most popular markets isn’t always the best port of call when sports betting. Shopping around for the best price, comparing the value lines, and hunting for less popular markets can all help you win at sports betting. The more sportsbooks you use, the better. This makes it far easier to place bets and quickly find better prices. For example, why take +400 on a bet when another sportsbook offers +450? Seeking value and shopping around for the best price is a key strategy. The example shown in the image below illustrates how the same bet is priced differently at two different sportsbooks. Jamie Munguia’s odds to beat Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez are far better at BetUS (+425) than they are at BetOnline (+375). Placing the same bet on Munguia to win at each of these two sportsbooks will return different winnings. A $100 bet on Munguia with BetUS would return $525 (including stake), whereas the same bet on Munguia to win with BetOnline would return just $475 (including stake). This emphasizes our point on shopping around for the best price and hunting for value betting lines. If you are hedging your bets, you are placing additional wagers after your first bet to mitigate losses or secure guaranteed profits. It’s a way to reduce potential losses. Dutching simply means backing more than one outcome in the same event, as opposed to just one. The main aim of Dutch betting and backing multiple outcomes in one event is to guarantee a profit by having one of your chosen outcomes win. Cash-out betting lets you settle an open bet for a value determined at the time of cashing out, which can be higher or lower than your stake. This is a great way to secure a profit before the game or event finishes. Using these three strategies can be very helpful in sports betting. If your initial bet looks strong, you can lock in profits. If it isn’t going as planned, you can cut losses and limit the damage. Even if it means taking a slight loss, considering the cash-out, dutch, and hedge options can be important strategies for winning at sports betting.Strategies To Help You Win When Sports Betting
1. Be Disciplined and Selective
2. Be Comfortable With Losing
3. Set Your Bankroll & Stick to It
4. Research Your Bets And Focus On Just a Few Sports
5. Record Your Bets and Results
6. Hunt For Value Betting Lines and Shop Around
7. Don’t Be Afraid To Hedge, Dutch Or Cash-Out Sports Bets
Sports Strategies For The Main Sports
Adjusting your approach depending on what sport you are betting on is key to succeeding in sports betting.
Familiarizing yourself with different markets and betting approaches can make you more successful and profitable in the long run.
In this section of our guide on how to win betting on sports, we look at the most popular US sports to see what you need to do to succeed when betting on each.
NFL Sports Betting Strategies
Betting on football is one of the most popular choices for sports bettors. The NFL, in particular, is a highly competitive market due to the large volume of wagers placed. This, in turn, means that sportsbooks compete to offer stronger odds.
Winning at NFL betting is tricky, however, so you need to be on top of your game to become profitable. The best NFL betting sites are sharp with small market movements, hence why it is important to have a strategy in place when wagering on football.
Home Field Advantage
One strategy is to consider home-field advantage. Home teams tend to perform better on their own turf due to crowd support, reduced travel fatigue, and familiarity with the stadium. While not foolproof (we’re only talking about an approximate 5% swing in favor of the home team over the last decade), this can be a valuable factor to consider.
How it works: Look for opportunities to bet on the home team, especially against teams with weaker away records or those traveling long distances. This doesn’t guarantee success, but it can be a helpful strategy.
Injury/Team News Analysis
Injuries can significantly impact NFL games, affecting key players and potentially altering outcomes. Monitoring injury reports and understanding their potential influence on team performance can be a valuable betting strategy.
How it works: Stay updated on injury reports for both teams leading up to the game. If a star player is injured or a key player can’t play, it might create value bets on the sportsbook. Oddsmakers may not fully account for the impact of injuries, providing an edge for bettors who do their research.
Divisional Rivalries
Divisional games in the NFL are known for their intensity and competitiveness. Teams within the same division play each other twice per season, creating familiar and often heated matchups. These games can be more predictable due to the teams’ familiarity with each other’s playing styles.
How it works: Pay close attention to divisional matchups, especially when one team has a solid recent record against the other. Historical trends in these games can provide insights into potential outcomes. These games often feature tighter point spreads and can be influenced by emotions and rivalry dynamics.
NHL Sports Betting Strategies
One of the major leagues in the United States, the NHL’s Stanley Cup drew an average of 2.6 million TV viewers per game in 2023. Although this was a decrease from the 4.59 million viewers in the previous year, the NHL remains one of the most followed sporting events in the US.
Given this, it’s no surprise that the best NHL betting sites are in high demand. Signing up to a sportsbook and wagering on the NHL is easy, but winning is where things can get tricky. Adopting the following strategies may help you make more informed bets and potentially increase your winning chances.
Fading the Public
Fading the public simply means betting against the majority of bettors. If most bettors are staking on a particular outcome, you go for the opposite option. In the NHL, the popular teams often get most of the bets, causing the odds to shift. This can give the underdogs better odds, offering you a chance to win a sizeable profit if you bet against the public and wager on the less-fancied team wins.
How it works: For example, if the Toronto Maple Leafs are getting a lot of support from the public, the odds on their opponent may become more favorable. By fading the public, you wager on the opponent, hoping to capitalize on the inflated odds on the less popular team.
Situational Betting
For this strategy, you’re focusing on the particular context of a game, like whether a team is playing back-to-back games, making longer trips than the opponent, or dealing with injuries to key players. If you identify these factors early, you give yourself an edge, as they can influence an NHL game’s outcome significantly.
How it works: If the New York Rangers are playing two nights in a row and are facing a well-rested Washington Capitals side, the Rangers players may be fatigued, potentially affecting their performance. Betting on the Capitals via the puck line or moneyline in this scenario could give you an edge.
Special Teams Focus
Special teams, especially power plays and penalty kills, can have a massive impact on NHL games. They can be game-changers. Teams that are strong in these areas usually have an advantage and a better chance of winning.
How it works: Suppose the Edmonton Oilers have a top power-play unit, and they’re competing against a side with a poor penalty kill. In this case, betting on the Oilers may be a good wager, as their special teams could make a big impact on the game’s outcome.
NBA Sports Betting Strategies
As of 2023, the NBA is the third most-watched league in the US, boasting almost 290 billion combined minutes from viewers. And with each team playing 82 games in the regular season, NBA betting presents lots of wagering opportunities.
Explore the following proven strategies to get the most bang for your buck when using the best NBA betting sites.
Betting on the Spread
One of the most common NBA strategies is spread betting. The spread is the number of points a team is expected to win or lose by. And your bet is whether a team will cover this spread. It’s a great way to bet on games where the outcome may be close.
How it works: For example, if the Los Angeles Lakers are favored by 5.5 points against the Miami Heat. Here, you can wager on whether the Lakers will win by 6 or more points, or if the Heat will manage to keep the game within 5 points or win outright.
Live Betting
With live betting, you can place bets during an NBA game. This allows you to adjust your bets depending on how the game is progressing. Considering the fast pace of the NBA, momentum can change quickly, making live betting a profitable option.
How it works: Imagine the Golden State Warriors are slow off the blocks in a game, but they improve their performance in the second half. You can place a live bet on them to come back and cover the spread or win. This strategy lets you use real-time game action to inform betting decisions and take advantage of drifting odds, especially when a perceived favorite goes behind.
Focus on Player Props
Player props are wagers on individual player performances, such as points scored, assists, steals, or rebounds. There are so many world-class players in the NBA, so player props can be profitable. This is especially true if you have a solid understanding of how specific players perform under certain conditions like manager tactics and in-game scenarios.
How it works: For instance, if you know LeBron James usually scores big against a particular team, you may back him to score over a certain number of points. By wagering on player props, you get a variety of betting options that are not available in regular game gambling.
MLB Sports Betting Strategies
Baseball offers lots of betting opportunities, thanks to its long season and stats-driven nature. With 162 games per team, there’s plenty of room to find good bets. Below are simple strategies to help you win more often when MLB betting.
Analysis of Starting Pitchers
Starting pitchers play a key role in how MLB games turn out. Do your research about the day’s starting pitchers. This can give you useful insights, especially if a pitcher has a strong record against the team they are facing.
How it works: For example, if a top pitcher like Max Scherzer is starting and boasts a good record against the opposing team, betting on his team to win will be a smart choice. Knowing how pitchers match up against hitters can help you make better betting decisions.
Betting the Run Line
The run line is baseball’s version of the point spread. Sportsbooks often set it at -1.5 for the favorite and +1.5 for the underdog. This is a great way to bet if you think a game will be a blowout or stay close.
How it works: Imagine the New York Yankees have a strong pitcher and are competing against a weaker team. In such a situation, betting on the Yankees by more than one run can offer better odds and payout than a simple moneyline bet. In contrast, wagering on the underdog to keep the game close with a +1.5 wager on the run line can bring profits if you anticipate a tight game.
Betting on Team Streaks
In baseball, MLB teams often go on winning or losing streaks because the seasons are lengthy. Betting on a team to continue a hot streak or end a losing run can be a useful strategy.
How it works: If a team like the Atlanta Braves is on a winning run and in strong momentum, betting on them to keep winning may be a good move. Similarly, if a team has been losing games but is due for a return to winning ways, betting on them to end their streak can be rewarding. Check team momentum and streaks to help you spot these opportunities.
Soccer Sports Betting Strategies
Soccer is the most popular and watched sport in the world. With numerous leagues and tournaments happening year-round, there are lots of betting opportunities to profit. Here are two strategies to boost your chances of success when soccer betting.
Betting on Both Teams to Score (BTTS)
Both Teams to Score is a popular bet in soccer. It doesn’t matter who wins the game; you’re simply betting that both teams will score at least one goal. This strategy works well in matches where both teams are effective in offense but frail in defense.
How it works: For example, imagine Manchester United is facing Arsenal, and both sides are known to play attacking soccer, but they have shaky defenses. In this case, betting on BTTS could be a good option. The idea is to focus on games where both teams are likely to find the back of the net.
Over/Under Goals Betting
This bet type entails wagering on the total number of goals scored in a match. Rather than picking a winner, you predict if the combined goals will be over or under a set number.
How it works: If two high-scoring teams with free-scoring attackers are playing, betting on “Over” 2.5 goals may be wise, as you expect more than three or more goals in the match. Meanwhile, if two defensive teams are competing, the “Under” 2.5 goals could be the better option.
Tennis Sports Betting Strategies
Tennis is a great sport for betting because of its fast pace and numerous events scheduled year-round. The Grand Slam offers thrilling and dramatic matches across the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open.
Apart from these, there are several other tournaments, where bettors can get some wagering action. Below are key strategies to keep in mind when betting on Tennis.
Betting on the Favorite in Early Rounds
Top players often perform exceptionally well in the early rounds of tournaments because they’re usually up against lower-ranked opponents. Therefore, wagering on the favorite at this stage is often seen as a safe move.
How it works: For instance, if Novak Djokovic is competing against a lesser-known player in the first round, betting on him to win should be a good bet since upsets are less common early in tournaments.
Betting on Surface Specialists
Some tennis players are specialists on particular court surfaces, whether hard, clay, or grass. A good knowledge of who performs best on each surface can help you make more informed wagers.
How it works: For example, Rafael Nadal is known for being dominant on clay courts. Wagering on the Spaniard in a clay tournament like the French Open will be a smart move.
Golf Sports Betting Strategies
The Masters Tournament, the US Open, the Open Championship, the PGA Championship, and so much more. There are several events all year round that provide many betting opportunities. Also, favorites can have much bigger odds compared to many other sports, meaning you can win big betting on golf. Below are strategies to keep in mind as a golf bettor.
Top 10 or Top 20 Finishes
Rather than betting on a golfer to win the entire tournament, you can back them to finish in the top 10 or top 20. This is less risky and gives you a better chance of winning.
How it works: For example, if Rory McIlroy often secures a finish near the top but doesn’t always win because Scottie Scheffler exists. In this case, you can bet on McIllroy to finish in the top 10, as it’s a safer bet. This way, your bet will still pay if he doesn’t come in first place.
Head-to-Head Matchups
When head-to-head betting, you wager on which of two golfers will perform better. This is easier to predict than trying to pick the overall tournament winner.
How it works: If you think Tiger Woods will have a better round than Phil Mickelson, you can bet on Tiger in a head-to-head matchup. This strategy makes golf betting simple since you’re focusing on just two players.
Horse Racing Betting Strategies
Horse racing is a global, fast-paced sport with a rich history. Most sports betting apps cover races from tracks all over the world, with several wagering options on offer. The tips below can help you win more often when betting on horse racing.
Consider the Track Conditions
Track conditions, like whether the track is wet or dry, can affect a horse’s performance. Some horses run better in certain conditions than others.
How it works: If a horse has a record of performing well on wet tracks, and the track is wet, betting on the horse can be a good choice.
Betting on Multiple Horses (Exacta and Trifecta)
Betting on more than one horse to finish in a particular order, like exacta (first and second) or trifecta (first, second, and third), can give you bigger payouts. Each-way betting is another potentially rewarding strategy.
How it works: If you think certain horses will place in the top sports, wagering an exacta or trifecta bet can be a great option. Although this strategy can be more lucrative, it’s often harder to predict.
Sports Betting Market Types
Here are the most popular types of bets across major leagues or sports.
- Moneyline Betting: A simple bet on which team or player will win.
- Over/Under (Totals) Betting: A wager on whether the total score of a game will be more or less than a sportsbook’s set number.
- Point Spread Betting: A bet on the margin of points that a team will win or lose by.
- Prop Betting: Bet on specific events or player and team performances within a game.
- Parlay Betting: A wager that combines multiple bets into one. All bets must win for your wager to pay out.
- Futures Betting: Bet on events that will happen in the future, like who will win the NBA Finals, the Super Bowl, the Stanley Cup, or the World Series.
- In-Play Betting: Bet on a game while it’s ongoing, with odds changing as the game progresses.
- Round Robin Betting: Staking on multiple parlays at once; you can still win some money even if not all your bets win.
- Teaser Betting: A form of parlay where you can adjust the point spread or totals in your favor.
The Last Word – How To Win At Sports Betting
Winning at sports betting isn’t just about luck – it’s about using smart strategies and staying informed. A good knowledge of the different types of bets, as well as useful wagering tactics for each sport, can increase your winning chances.
Whether betting on basketball spreads, baseball pitchers, or football props, your bets should be thoughtful. Also, ensure you stick to your bankroll and avoid chasing losses. With the right strategies, you can learn how to win betting on sports.