If you could give one piece of advice to a rookie sports bettor?

[pico]

if your girl supports your gambling habit, chances are she is a whore.

[Masu485]

Realize that it's all random. All of it. I'm saying this as someone who got into this with NO interest in sports at all. I was never a sports fan and my first wagers were always just from a random number generator, and I did just as well as the guy who puts in 8 hrs analyzing stats and watches every game.

After you realize you don't need to study and cap games, it takes a lot of pressure off you. Being a sports fan WILL cloud you're judgement, because deep down you actually want to study those stats for a bit, go on the sports sites etc...

[Shortstop]

I'm sure it's already been said, but don't start. It's all downhill after you place your first wager.

[compaqDikk]

shadow fishHead for 6 straight months. i mean tag a long 24/7. do not let him out of your sight. sleep on his top bunk. dive in the dumpster

fishHead has beaten slots

[Domestic]

Don't get angry when you feel you have been absolutely screwed on a play.e.g your Team winning comfortably at half time and somehow managing to lose in the last minute. Accept the loss because you realize these kind of events are really not that rare in sport when you have money on them consistently. Don't get angry and never re-bet your winnings until the full time siren.

[MonkeyF0cker]

Read every thread in the Think Tank. When you comprehend everything in there, put it to use before ever making a single wager.

[jjgold]

1. Bet 2% of your bankroll on every game
2. Limit your plays
3. Never take Favs
4. Never bet overs

Thanks me later

[Bread]

Start a poll to see if ppl like AZ or Indy, then change your mind at the last second and empty all your accts on a team that gets throttled by 3 TDs.

[Bigmikesm]

Start a poll to see if ppl like AZ or Indy, then change your mind at the last second and empty all your accts on a team that gets throttled by 3 TDs.

Don't tell me you went with zona? I thought for sure you cashed big with the Colts. Get it back with the Panthers tonight! Everyone in the world loves the Cowboys, but the Panthers will do it. Steve Smith always has HUGE games on MNF. 31-21 Panthers.

[Bread]

I'm out of gas.

[Robyn]

Unreal.

[capitalist pig]

Dont be afraid to withdrawl money you won, dont think by leaving winnings in your account you will win more. Its the same as the stock market, no one ever went wrong taking a profit,JMO.

later

[patswin]

Shop for the best number possible

[buztah]

Strat dressin' like a gamblah. You want everyone to recognize you as a wise guy -- a playah! Get a nice hat and incorporate the words "pal," "kokphucker," "unphucken real," and "bad beat" into your every day conversations, be they sports related or otherwise. Whenever anyone asks, you are right about even overall.

When feeling the urge (you will) to chase your losses (you'll have lots of these) always whack off and have a smoke before placing the chase bet. You will find this activity conducive toward proper money mangement.

[pavyracer]

Here is my advice:

Fade jjgold and follow me. You will win both ways.

[Nicky Santoro]

Quit NOW! You can NOT win long term. They don't build those huge casinos by paying out to rubes like us.

i can't believe that out of this whole thread, that this here was the only right answer. that, and the guy that said to shop for the best # only.. if you don't get that good #, don't bet it..aside from that, that's it.. so don't bet, or only bet games that are off every other # on the screen.. aside from this, you have zero chance.

the rest of the advice here is like saying don't smoke 2 packs a day, just smoke 12 cigs a day, it's healthier,or dont smoke crack everyday, just 2 times a week.. all shit advice and will end up ruining their lives anyways..

oh, and one other important thing.. IF you have a chance for a bonus, grab it.. those bonuses help alot.

that's it, no other advice..

if you don't do any of this, might as well give your money to charity, cause i promise you will lose everything.

[rake922]

Start a poll to see if ppl like AZ or Indy, then change your mind at the last second and empty all your accts on a team that gets throttled by 3 TDs.

AZ was the right pick.... colts just had the refs on their side

[rookie]

Check the home page of www.sportsbookreview.com and scroll to the bottom. Read the last few paragraphs and review - your decision to bet, not the sportsbooks.

[datek23]

Best advice is do not bet, everybody loses to gambling!

[JVP3122]

Really it's simple most gamblers lose ......so it makes sense to fade the public. I have 5 sites I go to and get percentages 4 of them list top 10 plays for the day. It would shock you how many number 1's go down the toilet, college this week was Miami Pro
tie between Tenn and Da Bears. Kids like Sammy bet 85% chalk and usually 85% public games...doing that you will have a following because everyone is on your game any how. Bottom line you lose. But the guys who fade the public, well if you post your picks an win 4 in a row ....well great, but lose a pick and no one wants to hear you any more you picked the stupid team no one bet on I fade and stay in action all the time.

As some others have said, find the square play and fade it.

As some people on these boards can tell you I'm a bit of a rookie here. I was hoping you guys might be able to elaborate on what you said. I'm working with baseball right now, and every web site that I've found shows the general consensus with all of these games is to go with the favorite. If I'm going with the opposite of the betting public then I'd be going with the dog every time. I'm just hoping you guys could explain a little more what you mean.

[toastedbread01]

1. Do not bet.

If you do decide to bet, then follow these guidelines...
1. Have multiple outs in order to get the lowest juice possible.
2. Check line history and do not chase. Similar to the stock market, once a line has run, you are too late... Don't join the party.
3. Create your own lines prior to lines being posted. When your number disagrees with the posted number, bet accordingly.

Psychology and financial factors:
1. Limit exposure, and no bet should be greater than 2-5%.
2. Do not chase. Only bet if your line disagrees with the current line.
3. Do not pay any touts, or buy any systems. System betting has never worked, and your coin-flip is as good as any touts.

[Robyn]

toastedbread01, you sound miles different than the inexperienced gambler who didn't even know what a "parley" was last night.

[TurkzZ]

remember around at least 90% of people who gamble loose lol, so the odds are agast you from the off

But on a serious level, DISCIPLINE DISCIPLINE DISCIPLINE , in all forms of trading, being able to control your self under stressfull situations like a big loss etc is crucial

[toastedbread01]

Well... a bunch of people missed this thread

http://forum.sbrforum.com/players-talk/237568-well.html

[vega007]

Don't gamble. Nobody makes money betting into even -105 lines.

[TheLock]

When wagering on MLB be very weary of large road favorites.

[brock]

Only play the + lines. Dogs that don't deserve to be the under dogs.
+100 to +140

[DwightShrute]

pick winners only

[20Four7]

1. Bet 2% of your bankroll on every game
2. Limit your plays
3. Never take Favs
4. Never bet overs

Thanks me later

JJ overs are better than unders cuz it's so easy to cheer for ppl to score...... go over my friend go over......

The rest is solid stuff.

[Robyn]

Well... a bunch of people missed this thread

http://forum.sbrforum.com/players-talk/237568-well.html

Will you go with me?

[ronjon619]

Find shitty teams and bet against them. The bad teams will find ways to let the better teams cover. Nothing worse than having +24 in a college game and the other teams has the ball up 21 and going for the cashing score.

Carolina found a way to let Dallas get the $$$$$. Jake needs to be replaced. Carolina is now a shitty team.

[carparts1000]

number one rule: 1 percent of bankroll per play.
never more than 3 percent of bankroll on any day.
if you play 4 sports , make each sport 25 percent of total bankroll

[Ashleyfrench07]

Great advice thank you all!

[pavyracer]

Here is my advice:

Fade jjgold and follow me. You will win both ways.

Still true after all this time.