Helpful Tips For Amateur Players

**Justin7** · 10-10-10, 07:37 PM

Let's start with #5:
Your question assumes something that is false -- that there are plenty of "systems" that work. If I had a winning method that no one else knew about, my bankroll would quickly grow -- much faster than it would by selling it. On systems for sale, I would start with this assumption: they are all crap.

**Firefox14** · 10-10-10, 08:58 PM

Justin,

You also said in a previous post that only like 1% of sports bettors are successful in the long run (something along those lines). That's a pretty staggering, and most importantly, disheartening statistic. Why on earth with those type of odds would anyone want to pursue such a field with those type of stats. What are we all even doing here?

**Justin7** · 10-10-10, 10:36 PM

Most intelligent people don't try to do this.

**Data** · 10-10-10, 10:45 PM

Originally posted by Justin7

Most intelligent people don't try to do this.

Perhaps, your best and the most humble post ever.

**jgilmartin** · 10-10-10, 11:46 PM

Originally posted by Firefox14

3. Where do I go to learn terminology? I've heard terms such as vig, arb, btcl, etc.

Try the (not completely accurately named) 'Acronyms' thread in the Newbie Forum. Just ask whatever you want to know about terms in that thread and it'll most likely get answered.

Originally posted by Firefox14

4. Basically, what can I equip myself with to win?

Justin's book would likely serve as a good introduction. Once you have read that, you will know a lot of the basic concepts and then you can search the Think Tank threads for various subjects.

http://store.sbrforum.com/products/300-CONQUERING-RISK

**Winner_13** · 10-11-10, 12:55 AM

key word most*

**subs** · 10-11-10, 02:21 AM

i'm not really qualified but i am a few steps further along the road...

step 1 read a lot
step 2 bonus whore & arb - get banned especially from UK and euro books (maybe check this out - free-easy-money . c o m if you are not in the US)
step 3 teasers....
step 4 look for weak numbers and chase steam - get banned apparently.
step 5 take a advanced course in Granchow and realize what you are up against.

i'm on 2 and 3 cos its not that hard but the money is prolly relative to the difficulty.

advice for starting up - bet small have fun

. never ever bet money that you can not afford to lose and never borrow money to gamble.

just my $0.02

good luck

**RickySteve** · 10-11-10, 02:24 AM

Originally posted by Data

Perhaps, your best and the most humble post ever.

If this forum were in Russian, you might have an easier time comprehending what is written,

**LegitBet** · 10-11-10, 03:23 AM

Listen to me
This is the hardest thing to do---what I'm about to tell you, but it will make you money:
Bet against the public always

**Maverick22** · 10-11-10, 10:22 AM

The best tip ever:

Ignore what most people say

Everyone has an opinion, just like an asshole.

Everyone has a 'sure fire' way that something will be done. And well... you've heard the expression "Vegas Was Built On Losers"

And remember...if ALLLLL these people found the golden goose, most wouldnt be here. So have a pocket full with grains of salt

**Dark Horse** · 10-11-10, 10:53 AM

Originally posted by Firefox14

Justin,

You also said in a previous post that only like 1% of sports bettors are successful in the long run (something along those lines). That's a pretty staggering, and most importantly, disheartening statistic. Why on earth with those type of odds would anyone want to pursue such a field with those type of stats. What are we all even doing here?

Why would you think 1 in a 100 are bad odds? They're great, considering how many ~~idiots~~ kind uninformed amateurs are betting on games.

As to your original question, you either set out to be an amateur or you set out to be a pro. In any field, there are different standards to hold yourself accountable to, depending on that choice. And I doubt that there are many fields where anything less than 1 in a 100 can get you to the top level. The only difference with the real world is that there is no place for mediocrity in sports betting. That works for those who like challenging themselves, and may be scary for those who don't.

**wrongturn** · 10-11-10, 11:21 AM

Originally posted by Firefox14

Justin,

You also said in a previous post that only like 1% of sports bettors are successful in the long run (something along those lines). That's a pretty staggering, and most importantly, disheartening statistic. Why on earth with those type of odds would anyone want to pursue such a field with those type of stats. What are we all even doing here?

Probably even smaller, like 0.01%. Almost all people are betting sports for entertainment, just like gambling in Vegas. If one wants to make a living from gambling, I would say 99.9% of time he can do better in other jobs.

**stikymess** · 10-11-10, 01:15 PM

I would add: don't eat, sleep, sh*t gambling. Have a life, take up a hobby, get outside. This can quickly take over and in some cases ruin your life.

Also know your strengths, if you never watched a hockey game you have no business betting on one.

**Thremp** · 10-11-10, 01:33 PM

Originally posted by RickySteve

If this forum were in Russian, you might have an easier time comprehending what is written,

HET!

**uva3021** · 10-11-10, 03:31 PM

Originally posted by stikymess

Also know your strengths, if you never watched a hockey game you have no business betting on one.

I would contend this is certainly quite false, understanding the sport is unrelated to understanding the betting market for a sport. I would almost go as far as to say the more you know about the intricacies of the sport itself the less you should invest into gambling on that sport, then subjectivity becomes a factor.

I would say, find a methodology that minimize risk, and allows you to stick around long enough to hit a long shot. Which will enable you to increase your bankroll, starting the process over again.

**Firefox14** · 10-11-10, 04:52 PM

Thanks everyone for your help. I'll see what I can do. For now, I'm not placing any more bets (gambling) until I study further.

**Jonah** · 10-11-10, 05:09 PM

If you really know a sport - don't over research, just pick your spots carefully....Case in point, I know very little about College B-ball... Research can be very helpful at times...Conversely, I happen to be a football genius

and it only kills me when I start looking into games too much...

In college this weekend, I was like 9 -1 on hunch games...1-5 on further research games.

**LegitBet** · 10-11-10, 11:37 PM

you gopt some great advice here, in no small part due to your 'humility'...that goes along way here.
one more point you should remember hanging out here and learning: if you had theeee system/model/info to consistanly earn, you would not get behind a megaphone with it. pick you spots, follow those you admire (for me it's DarkHorse..this dude is not just a sports betting genius, he is a life expert, and you can learn alot of winning in life by studying his posts and extrapolate forward into life..be well and lucky
andrew

**subs** · 10-12-10, 07:18 PM

uva3021

I would say, find a methodology that minimize risk, and allows you to stick around long enough to hit a long shot.

seems like very wise advice.

**Flying Dutchman** · 10-12-10, 07:58 PM

Originally posted by stikymess

Also know your strengths, if you never watched a hockey game you have no business betting on one.

Right. I know someone who ran the WNBA market for a year and never, ever watched a whole game.

**sideloaded** · 10-12-10, 08:11 PM

Most "pros" just get a steady job inside the industry and gamble for entrainment value like the rest of the public. If you are a pro and haven't went legit you will spend more time trying to figure out how to get bets in because you have been banned from all the books then actually finding edges. It's not glamorous at all. If you want to party and live the life, start a business hope you hit it big then start you're own book and hire models to hang around your house.

**Peeig** · 10-12-10, 09:30 PM

Originally posted by sideloaded

Most "pros" just get a steady job inside the industry and gamble for entrainment value like the rest of the public. If you are a pro and haven't went legit you will spend more time trying to figure out how to get bets in because you have been banned from all the books then actually finding edges. It's not glamorous at all. If you want to party and live the life, start a business hope you hit it big then start you're own book and hire models to hang around your house.

say what now?

**ForgetWallStreet** · 10-12-10, 09:39 PM

Originally posted by sideloaded

Most "pros" just get a steady job inside the industry and gamble for entrainment value like the rest of the public. If you are a pro and haven't went legit you will spend more time trying to figure out how to get bets in because you have been banned from all the books then actually finding edges. It's not glamorous at all. If you want to party and live the life, start a business hope you hit it big then start you're own book and hire models to hang around your house.

I agree that it is not glamorous most of the time but making 300-400K when the alternative is 80-100K and less free time is fine by me.

**subs** · 10-12-10, 11:26 PM

Originally posted by ForgetWallStreet

I agree that it is not glamorous most of the time but making 300-400K when the alternative is 80-100K and less free time is fine by me.

OMG you make that much

can i be your driver or just carry your briefcase/ shoo people out of your way/sprinkle rose petals on the ground?

seriously may i just ask:

do you work alone or do you work in a team?
did you have to be able to program or is a bit of excel enough?
is it from handicapping or just taking out slow moving numbers/props and futures or do you do everything?
did you learn it on your own?
are you ridiculously smart?
don't you just get banned from everything and everywhere? and why not i mean i would not like to take your action...
should we really forget wall street, i am focusing on FX and why?
do you believe some people here give misleading answers to throw people off?

any answers are very much appreciated but i can not afford to pay your consultancy fees

- sending you points is prolly just wasting energy but if ya want em'.... just let me know

obviously any1 else who is making this sort of loot please feel free to answer any question that you feel that you can or hire me for any of the above jobs.

**chipleader** · 10-19-10, 05:50 PM

Subs...you're hilarious man, you made my day. Hope you weren't serious.

**subs** · 10-20-10, 02:05 AM

Originally posted by chipleader

Subs...you're hilarious man, you made my day. Hope you weren't serious.

hell ya

- but only this bit

can i be your driver or just carry your briefcase/ shoo people out of your way/sprinkle rose petals on the ground?

**doctorswag** · 10-20-10, 04:24 PM

i really am just typing this to receive my daily points. hope u have a great day. sucks you read this.

**Peregrine Stoop** · 10-21-10, 12:07 AM

Originally posted by doctorswag

i really am just typing this to receive my daily points. hope u have a great day. sucks you read this.

you're not supposed to do this to receive daily points. It's abusing the system. A moderator might prevent you from ever getting points again.

**subs** · 10-21-10, 12:42 AM

grrrrr - at least he said have a great day and was honest - please just post in some1's picks and say BOL

**Tim7** · 10-21-10, 01:00 PM

Originally posted by Jonah

If you really know a sport - don't over research, just pick your spots carefully....Case in point, I know very little about College B-ball... Research can be very helpful at times...Conversely, I happen to be a football genius

and it only kills me when I start looking into games too much...

In college this weekend, I was like 9 -1 on hunch games...1-5 on further research games.

well I'd like to hear some of those hunches.

**wildbill044** · 10-21-10, 01:32 PM

take the most obvious pick on the board or the public favorite and fade it.