As the legalization of sports betting shatters anti-gambling stigmas, millions of new bettors are eager to jump into the action. While many bettors have no idea where to start, there are some essential sports betting tips every beginner should know.
For starters, bettors should always set a budget for themselves. By setting a budget, they can avoid the temptation of placing bets that are too high and risking more money than they can afford to lose. In this way, they can be prepared for any shock losses and keep their betting experience safe and fun.
Another important tip for beginners is to avoid media hype and bias. Getting too emotional and following the hype of popular sports pundits can be extremely dangerous. It can cause them to make bad decisions that lead to costly mistakes. This is why it’s best for novice bettors to focus on one sport competition and hone in on their knowledge of that particular game, rather than spreading themselves too thinly across several different sports.
Totals bets, also known as over/under betting, are a great place for beginners to start. They predict whether the two teams involved in a game will combine for more (over) or less (under) runs, goals, points and so on than the total amount posted by oddsmakers. For example, if the Los Angeles Rams are playing the Seattle Seahawks and the total is 42.5, bettors can expect a defensive slugfest that ends with 42 combined points or fewer.