When it comes to gambling, it’s all about risk – and it’s precisely the thrill that comes with it that makes it such a popular pastime. Wealthy betters enjoy nothing more than placing an eye-watering amount of money on their predicted outcome of a sporting event, and it’s generally accepted that players must be prepared to lose – but despite what the bookies tell you, there are, in fact, some clever ways to increase your odds of winning, and walking away triumphant.
Watching your favourite football or basketball match or taking in the latest horse race on the calendar wouldn’t quite be the same without having a little flutter, and it all adds to the fun of the experience. But if the glory of winning is something that still eludes you, then you’ll be pleased to know that it’s actually rather simple to boost your chances. Armed with some insider information and a little extra know-how, your next bet could be your most successful yet – and here, we look at all the ways to turn things in your favour and up-level the chances of a big win.
Know your sport
If you’re a fair-weather fan of your chosen sport, then success in the gambling stakes might be a little harder to come by, but those who know theirs inside out stand a good chance of winning big. As the saying goes, knowledge is power – and this is particularly true when it comes to gambling.
In team games like football and basketball, getting to grips with players’ positions and reading up on their past performances will arm you with some useful insight when it comes to making educated predictions. The same applies to sports like athletics, where knowing an athlete’s strengths and weaknesses will put you in a more powerful position when deciding which outcome to place your money on. It might sound like work, but if you enjoy spectating and are serious about improving your chances of success, then it’s a fairly easy way to boost your odds.
Don’t be fooled by the favourite
Betting novices will often take what the bookies are saying at face value, placing all of their money on the favourite – but knowing how to think outside the box and being prepared to bet on an alternative could soon see your winnings increase.
Don’t go on overall reputation alone when deciding which player or team to back – instead, look at their more recent performances and in particular, any past events that have seen them take each other on. By taking the time to do your own research, you may uncover some revealing information the bookies would rather you didn’t know – after all, they make money when you lose, which is something to bear in mind when deciding who to place your bets on.
Choose your bookmaker wisely
Rarely do all bookmakers offer the same odds for each sporting event, so shopping around is essential to ensure you get the best deal. While you may well have money to burn and that you can afford to lose, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of seeing your number come in or the team you backed rage to victory – and knowing that you scooped the largest possible win as a result is just as satisfying.
Be prepared to chop and change with each sporting event to secure the best odds for your prediction – and keep an eye out for free incentives to boost your betting power.
Less is more
While it might seem like the more selections you make in your bets, the greater the chance you stand of winning, the opposite can often be true. It’s better to place a larger amount of money on a well-researched predicted outcome, as should you strike it lucky then your winnings will be considerably larger than if you spread the same amount of betting money across multiple outcomes.
This, in fact, is where the bookies lose most of their money – which means it’s also where cash-splashing betters stand to gain the most in winnings.
Please gamble responsibly (18+ UK) – check age restrictions before participating
