Sports betting is steadily growing in popularity as more and more individuals want to make a few extra dollars betting on sports teams. If you want to get in on some of the action, it pays to gather up as much information as you can in advance. This way, you can avoid making many of the common mistakes made by new sports bettors and get off to a great start.

The first step is to have some type of system in place. Many experienced bettors can pickout someone new simply by the reckless or unorganized way they place bets. This gives them an advantage over you and lowers your odds of winning. Before you bet, have a system and you’ll look like you’ve got it all under control instead of haphazardly casting bets.

No One Wins All the Time

The first thing that you must realize is that, no one wins all the time no matter what system they use. It’s impossible to always win or even to do so 99 percent of the time. If this was possible, it would mean everyone could win, lowering the percentage of winnings and making betting pointless. Therefore, you need to have a bankroll set aside that you can afford to lose and only use this money when sports betting.

A good system that truly works for you will allow you to win more bets than you lose so that you’ll turn a profit in the end. However, you will lose many bets. If you’re not prepared to lose part of the time, sports betting may not be for you.

Bet the Same Amount on Each Game

When you’re new to sports betting it may seem like betting different amounts on each game would work to your advantage. As you become an experienced bettor, you’ll learn this is not the case. In fact, it can actually increase the risks, which costs you money in the end.

When you place the same amount of money on each game, it’s called your “unit” and it makes it easier to keep track of your bets. Set the amount of money that you want to use on each game in advance. This amount is determined by the amount you have in your bankroll and the number of games you plan to bet on at once.

Set a Limit on the Number of Games You Bet on Per Day

Don’t over-extend yourself when betting. Choose four or five games to bet on per day; no more. When you go past five, it’s difficult to do your research and analyze the bets you make. As a result, you end up placing risky bets that usually make you lose money. Even if you do win one or two of the bets you place, the losses you’ll take from the others will make you break even or put you in the red.

When choosing which games to bet on, pick the ones you believe are a sure thing. This doesn’t mean that the team you pick will win but if you’ve done your research, there is a very good chance they will. This goes back to the betting system you use to help you place bets. You know you have a good system in place when your wins outweigh your loses. This way, you make a profit over the long run and steadily increase your bankroll.