How to Be a Successful Sports Bettor

Benjamin Franklin once said, "by failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail." As a sports bettor, this is one cliché I'm particularly accustomed to. Why? It's simple – I appreciate the veracity. Imagine this scenario: you have taken a plane to Las Vegas, Nevada. Looking down from your window seat as you are about to land, you can see the Venetian, Caesars Palace, and other famous casinos you are hoping to visit during your trip. From the airport, you call a taxi and begin to drive towards your destination. As it is for most people, your first stop in Las Vegas is the strip. As you make your way through the tunnel, the area around you becomes a tourist's version of fantasy: multi-colored jumbo screens, long lines of young adults eagerly awaiting the club's opening, street performers, and bright lights that spread throughout the strip, seemingly forever. "Paradise," you think.

After a few days of smoke inhalation, large volumes of beverage consumption, and the proverbial and literal beatings you received from slots and poker tables, you begin to rethink your version of paradise. All hope is not lost, though; the NFL playoffs are on and your team is about to start. Hoping to salvage what little dignity and money you have left, you grab your favorite team's jersey and head to the casino's sports book. Back straight, chin up, you make your way to the counter and place a wager: "$300 on the Steelers, please."

What you probably didn't realize is that you broke two golden rules of sports betting: failing to prepare and betting like a fan. Sports betting is a multi-billion dollar business and treating it like an investment is how you'll get your fair share of its profits. As soon as your goal went from gambling for the sake of enter...

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...rary, ask your neighbor, I don't care. Just find a system that you're comfortable with. The point is to elevate your preparation beyond that of a regular fan.

CONCLUSION

It becomes readily evident that the greatest attainable certainty isn't winning or losing, but that research, however pardonable – perhaps commendable – makes us examine more accurately the nature of statistics. Staying disciplined in regards to your bankroll ensures the opportunity for success, for I can't say you'll be successful for having a proper bankroll, but I can say you will not be successful unless you stay disciplined and maintain a proper bankroll. All in all, it's okay to be a fan of the game, but if you want to make money, trade in your jersey for a calculator. And remember, casinos will gladly accept a fan's wager, so don't act like one and, more importantly, don't think like one.