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How to be a better bettor - tips to improve sports betting success

Sports betting has undergone a strange kind of evolution over recent decades. Half a century ago, it was a serious money-making business for either professionals who lived and breathed their chosen sport (usually horse racing) or for desperate people needing to generate quick money.

Both these categories of people still exist, of course, but today they form a tiny minority of sports bettors. Most of us who place a bet do so for fun or as an expression of loyalty. The NFL fan who puts $10 on the Browns to win the Super Bowl as the start of every season doesn't do so because he thinks that's the best way to make money through sports betting. Neither does the impartial observer who might have chosen to back a dark horse like Switzerland in Euro 2020 earlier this year.

When we place bets like these, we almost treat them as expenses. If we should win, that's a nice bonus, but we're not really expecting to, and we're certainly not counting on it. No doubt that's a healthy attitude, and we should only ever bet what we can afford to lose. But it is possible to take a principle to extremes. Placing a little more thought into our wagers can make a drastic impact on the win rate – without making it any less fun. Here's three things to think about that can help make it happen.

Choose the right platform

Sometimes it matters less what you do than where you do it. There are dozens of sports betting websites and apps out there, and plenty of the online casino sites also have sports betting sections. It's a competitive marketplace, so shop around. Don't just look at the giveaways and promotions, as these can often have onerous conditions and wagering requirements attached to them. Instead, think about what's important to you and check out the comparison sites. For example, the Casinowithdrawal site shows that when you want fast paying casinos or sportsbooks, Unibet sends your winnings in as little as 60 seconds!

Ugly ducklings make great pets

This relates to our Switzerland example earlier. If you're passionate about a particular team, you will back it no matter what, and that's fine. But if you're just interested in the tournament and want to pick a team, choose one that flies under the radar. When people don't back a team, the bookies crank up the odds. It means the likes of Switzerland in football or Alpine in F1 can be great value.

Mix up your bets

There are lots of bets out there, so think about more than just backing a winner. In the above example, you'd be crazy to back Alpine to win the F1 constructor's title, that's clearly a two-horse race. However, with Ocon's new chassis in place, they are a compelling shout to finish in the top half of the table. Likewise, you might back Afghanistan to make it to the knockout stages of the forthcoming T20I Cricket World Cup.
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