first timer questions

[mjronline]

Hey Guys. I'm completely new to this stuff, but really interested. I live in Canada and play Proline all the time. I'm looking into making more money through sports betting though. Proline pays out very little. Initially I want to start out investing $2000 into this and build from there.

I don't know how it all works though. Is it anything like Proline? Proline lists things like 1.3, 1.4, etc... for their games so if you bet $100, you get $140. Does this work the same way?

How much on average do you guys make per year? Is there some kind of catch to this? It seems really easy to just pick 1 game, a sure winner, and to win basically every time. Obviously nothing is a guarantee, but some games are just plain obvious. So how does that work?

Others questions I have. Which is the best site for a complete newbie? Are there are any commission charges or bet charges? Like, do I need to bet $110, just to win $100? How fast do they pay out? Any fees for paying out? Any that accept Paypal for payment?

Any help you guys can give would be much appreciated.

[Casperwaits]

Welcome to the forum sir. Let me assure you, picking one winner a day every day is impossible. Case in point, look at our best bet threads and see how many of them are under 50% with their picks. As far as money management goes, I am a proponent of playing 10% of your initial bankroll regularly. If you see a game that looks "interesting" maybe banging another 5% on it. That is my way of being. I know many will disagree with my thinking, but that is what makes this forum so great. Many opinions, all of them right..lol. Good luck in your endeavors. Once again welcome.

[Casperwaits]

Oh yeah, I recommend BetJamaica as an A+ site in my book.

[tullamore]

Bet only what you can afford to lose.

[jtuck]

If you think its that easy then you don't need to start yet IMO. Start capping the games yourself and get comfortable with a method. Research line movements. Watch Justin7's videos. Read Sharp Sports Betting. Start out small when you do start laying actual money and never bet money you need for something else. If you go on a 20-5 run always remember a 5-20 run will follow. Don't start at all if you don't have patience or have an impulsive personality.

As far as odds go, people on here use American pricing (-150=Risk 150 to win 100, +120= Risk 100 to win 120), but you can use European style pricing at your book. I would recommend spreading the $2000 around at 2-3 different books so you can shop for the best price. Not sure which books to recommend because as a Canadian you have many more options than me.

Finally, don't go in expecting to make much, if any money. Regardless of what people on here say 99% of bettors lose money.

[rookie]

Hey Guys. I'm completely new to this stuff, but really interested. I live in Canada and play Proline all the time. I'm looking into making more money through sports betting though. Proline pays out very little. Initially I want to start out investing $2000 into this and build from there.

I don't know how it all works though. Is it anything like Proline? Proline lists things like 1.3, 1.4, etc... for their games so if you bet $100, you get $140. Does this work the same way?

How much on average do you guys make per year? Is there some kind of catch to this? It seems really easy to just pick 1 game, a sure winner, and to win basically every time. Obviously nothing is a guarantee, but some games are just plain obvious. So how does that work?

Others questions I have. Which is the best site for a complete newbie? Are there are any commission charges or bet charges? Like, do I need to bet $110, just to win $100? How fast do they pay out? Any fees for paying out? Any that accept Paypal for payment?

Any help you guys can give would be much appreciated.

- Betfair and Ladbrokes accept paypal.
- Betfair charges 5% commission but matchbook charges only 2%.
- Most of the "good" books pay out very quickly. The actual transfer of $ from sportsbook to your account varies from a few hrs to 3 days: it depends on the methods used.
- Most books offer free withdrawals. Make sure to check before registering.

And yes, there's a catch. You can't win this game unless you learn a lot of things and even then you may just break even.

[Casperwaits]

Intertops accepts PayPal as well.

[mjronline]

I'm really confused now. I'll give an example. I look at the hockey scores every day. I pick one game a day now for fun and check the results after. 9/10 times I guess the right winner.

If I start an account online and bet on 1 game a day and end up being correct, how can I not win a lot? What am I missing?

[wtf]

I'm really confused now. I'll give an example. I look at the hockey scores every day. I pick one game a day now for fun and check the results after. 9/10 times I guess the right winner.

If I start an account online and bet on 1 game a day and end up being correct, how can I not win a lot? What am I missing?

your missing nothing

your a gambling savvant


bet as much as humanly possible

[jtuck]

I'm really confused now. I'll give an example. I look at the hockey scores every day. I pick one game a day now for fun and check the results after. 9/10 times I guess the right winner.

If I start an account online and bet on 1 game a day and end up being correct, how can I not win a lot? What am I missing?

No one picks 90% long term. You've also probably been picking high ML favorites

[rookie]

I'm really confused now. I'll give an example. I look at the hockey scores every day. I pick one game a day now for fun and check the results after. 9/10 times I guess the right winner.

If I start an account online and bet on 1 game a day and end up being correct, how can I not win a lot? What am I missing?

Does 9/10 translate into 90/100 ?
You won't be getting 10/11 odds on these games. Let's say you pick Sharks a lot. But, their odds hover around -300 ie $33.33 win for risking $100. Look at the odds of hockey games everyday using pinnacle.com and try to make hypothetical bets on paper. Do it for the rest of the season. If you come out a decent winner, bet with real money next season.

[mjronline]

Does 9/10 translate into 90/100 ?
You won't be getting 10/11 odds on these games. Let's say you pick Sharks a lot. But, their odds hover around -300 ie $33.33 win for risking $100. Look at the odds of hockey games everyday using pinnacle.com and try to make hypothetical bets on paper. Do it for the rest of the season. If you come out a decent winner, bet with real money next season.

Why does it matter if I win a lot as long as I'm winning? Even if I have to bet $100 to win $20, that's still $20 profit. So if I were to bet $10,000 on the same game, that's $2000 profit.

When I say I pick 9/10 games correctly, I mean that I only pick really obvious games with the lowest possible odds. Basically the sure wins. Some days when the odds aren't low enough, I don't pick anyone. I only pick when it is really obvious. Still no guarantee, but the odds are in my favour.

Is my thinking wrong? Won't the odds be hugely in my favour if I only bet when it is really obvious who is going to win? I don't care if I have to bet $100 to win $20 as long as I come out ahead.

[jtuck]

If it was as easy as you think it is then the sportsbooks would be out of business. Here is a spreadsheet i downloaded with the odds and final scores of games from 96-07. Notice how often "Sure things" lose. A -350 favorite in college basketball is only roughly a 7-8 point favorite. Think how often they lose straight up.

[Doc JS]

Why does it matter if I win a lot as long as I'm winning? Even if I have to bet $100 to win $20, that's still $20 profit. So if I were to bet $10,000 on the same game, that's $2000 profit.

When I say I pick 9/10 games correctly, I mean that I only pick really obvious games with the lowest possible odds. Basically the sure wins. Some days when the odds aren't low enough, I don't pick anyone. I only pick when it is really obvious. Still no guarantee, but the odds are in my favour.

Is my thinking wrong? Won't the odds be hugely in my favour if I only bet when it is really obvious who is going to win? I don't care if I have to bet $100 to win $20 as long as I come out ahead.

Because, as others have said, you won't have to miss on too many big ML favs to chew through your bankroll...

Doc

[RogueJuror]

didnt read your post but welcome mjunior

[mjronline]

Because, as others have said, you won't have to miss on too many big ML favs to chew through your bankroll...

Doc

If it's as bad as you guys are making it out to be, and you guys are all losing money, then what are all of you doing here?

[Tsoprano]

Intertops accepts PayPal as well.

I don't think they do.

[mmike032]

If it's as bad as you guys are making it out to be, and you guys are all losing money, then what are all of you doing here?

post of the year

[mjronline]

post of the year

Well that's not really fair. We're only 4 days into the year so far.

But honestly, what is so funny about what I'm saying?

As jtuck said "Finally, don't go in expecting to make much, if any money. Regardless of what people on here say 99% of bettors lose money."

So why are you all here if you're almost guaranteed not to make any money?

[mmike032]

we have been cursed with the sickness

[mjronline]

we have been cursed with the sickness

No seriously, what am I missing? Why are people actively trying to discourage me from doing something that they are all doing themselves? Why would all the people here want to lose money?

[jtuck]

I'm not trying to discourage you from doing it. By all means, if you want to gamble then go ahead. I'm just giving you facts that you need to know because there are tons of people like you that come into this thinking it's the best money making idea ever. People continue to gamble for a number of reasons. Most of us use money we can afford to lose. When money gets tight, gambling goes on a break. I enjoy the challenge of trying out different methods to beat the books. The more i do it the more I learn. Even though I am losing money now, I'd like to think that one day I will have enough knowledge to join that 1% that does make money. If not then it's alot better than wasting all my money on blow.

[mmike032]

and when doing blow theres no chance to make money, just lose it

and you can gamble and not feel like shit the next day

[mjronline]

I'm not trying to discourage you from doing it. By all means, if you want to gamble then go ahead. I'm just giving you facts that you need to know because there are tons of people like you that come into this thinking it's the best money making idea ever. People continue to gamble for a number of reasons. Most of us use money we can afford to lose. When money gets tight, gambling goes on a break. I enjoy the challenge of trying out different methods to beat the books. The more i do it the more I learn. Even though I am losing money now, I'd like to think that one day I will have enough knowledge to join that 1% that does make money. If not then it's alot better than wasting all my money on blow.

Obviously I know this is not the best money making idea ever. As they say, if it was so easy, then everybody would be doing it. I'm not arguing with that.

I'm just trying to understand how you won't come out ahead if you only bet on games that are practically guaranteed. Can you explain that part to me? Sure you won't win everytime, but more often that not, in these games, they go as expected.

For example, for NHL games, I simply go to proline.ca and check the odds. So today, FLA @ MTL, the odds were 3.00 for FLA and 1.25 for Montreal. I would obviously pick Montreal there, simply based on the odds, and they did end up winning. Yes, it did happen to be a close game, but all last week I used the same strategy and picked 6 different games and I was right on all 6 of them.

Basically, it seems like most games end as expected, and that's why I can't understand how people can lose money playing this way, if let's say 75% of the time, the games play out as they're expected to.

[Chi_archie]

no more often then not these games are split 50/50... which gives the books the advantage..


MJ... welcome to SBR, love to have people come on board...

but know that you won't win in this.... not long term.. not big

I would caution you, not to get into this.... but if you do.... learn alot first...ask questions like you are... go to the think-thank...

start small.. small as possible 1, 2, 3 dollar bets if you can.... do a 1 month trial of $100 instead of more and see how much ahead/behind you are after 100 plays... this isn't a significant sample size, but you'll get the idea... there are no 60 or 70% plays out there... there aren't even 54% winners out there everyday..and you need to hit about that much to make a profit ( against the spread winners)

good luck, bro,... but don't do it!!!!

[jtuck]

I don't have the numbers handy but I'm sure someone here does. Just look at the record of -200 or -300 favorites over the long term and I'll guarantee you that betting them would put you down units. With the Canadiens game you mentioned, I was on Florida. It opened at -215, which means that 68.25% of the time Montreal was supposed to win. Do you think that they win that game at least 69/100 times? I say no way in hell.

[mjronline]

no more often then not these games are split 50/50... which gives the books the advantage..


MJ... welcome to SBR, love to have people come on board...

but know that you won't win in this.... not long term.. not big

I would caution you, not to get into this.... but if you do.... learn alot first...ask questions like you are... go to the think-thank...

start small.. small as possible 1, 2, 3 dollar bets if you can.... do a 1 month trial of $100 instead of more and see how much ahead/behind you are after 100 plays... this isn't a significant sample size, but you'll get the idea... there are no 60 or 70% plays out there... there aren't even 54% winners out there everyday..and you need to hit about that much to make a profit ( against the spread winners)

good luck, bro,... but don't do it!!!!

Well first off, I want to stick to betting on NHL only. Now are you telling me that there are never any NHL games that are just plain obvious who is going to win? Ever? If there are any at all, then why can't I just bet big on those?

[Matt Rain]

Well first off, I want to stick to betting on NHL only. Now are you telling me that there are never any NHL games that are just plain obvious who is going to win? Ever? If there are any at all, then why can't I just bet big on those?

Do it and post your plays in here. You'll teach yourself a lesson after a few hundred plays.

[mjronline]

I don't have the numbers handy but I'm sure someone here does. Just look at the record of -200 or -300 favorites over the long term and I'll guarantee you that betting them would put you down units. With the Canadiens game you mentioned, I was on Florida. It opened at -215, which means that 68.25% of the time Montreal was supposed to win. Do you think that they win that game at least 69/100 times? I say no way in hell.

True, but the higher the %, the more likely they are going to win, no?

[Chi_archie]

Well first off, I want to stick to betting on NHL only. Now are you telling me that there are never any NHL games that are just plain obvious who is going to win? Ever? If there are any at all, then why can't I just bet big on those?

I should have read all your earlier posts..

I will go back now..

how famaliar are you with betting...

are you only gonna bet big favs?


like -240 ml favs?

are you gonna bet puck-lines? under/overs?
is that what you mean by obvious winners?

do me a favor and type in www.sbrchat.com and ask the hockey guys in there, how successful hockey betting is...


I only bet a rare home dog from time to time in hockey.. don't know much about pucks..

[mjronline]

I should have read all your earlier posts..

I will go back now..

how famaliar are you with betting...

are you only gonna bet big favs?


like -240 ml favs?

are you gonna bet puck-lines? under/overs?
is that what you mean by obvious winners?

do me a favor and type in www.sbrchat.com and ask the hockey guys in there, how successful hockey betting is...


I only bet a rare home dog from time to time in hockey.. don't know much about pucks..

To answer your questions:

I am not familiar at all with betting. I've played Proline here in Canada and won, but never really bet on anything else before.

By obvious winners, yes I mean I'm only going to bet on the big favourites. -240 ml sounds fine to me as long as I'm ahead. No puck-line betting, only money-line. No over/under. Simply picking the big favourite and that's it.

I just looked at some of tonight's games. Not hockey, but tell me if I'm wrong here. College basketball. VRTC vs. DUKE. There is no chance that DUKE will lose. Is this not a sure bet?

[rm18]

it is a sure bet i guess but you have to bet 2200 to win 100 on this though

[mjronline]

it is a sure bet i guess but you have to bet 2200 to win 100 on this though

Right, but it's free money. It's guaranteed. There is no question you will win. So, why not?

[rm18]

Right, but it's free money. It's guaranteed. There is no question you will win. So, why not?

This time it is a lock but you have to be careful Tech beat them as a 20 point dog 2 years ago, they do not have the talent to this year but there are plenty of times a 17 point dog can win.

[mjronline]

This time it is a lock but you have to be careful Tech beat them as a 20 point dog 2 years ago, they do not have the talent to this year but there are plenty of times a 17 point dog can win.

Would you really have to bet $2200 to win $100 on that game though?

I'm used to playing Proline. Here, you pick 3 games and have to win all of them, but the odds are totally different than what you guys are saying. The odds on the DUKE game are 1.10 for duke, so basically you win $10 on every $100 you spend. Why are the odds so much worse online?