By Samantha Pierrie
A match (excuse the pun) made in Heaven – we can’t think of a more perfect and winning combination than sport and gambling. The amalgamation of physical competition with the exhilaration of winning and the satisfaction of bagging some extra bucks provides hours of varied fun and games.
Our ultimate guide will make sure that you have all the knowledge and confidence you need to enter the world of sports betting. There is money to be made and fun to be had, so get reading so that you can get winning at the bookies or online with sites like Timeform.
Pick Your Sports
If a sport exists, then it is highly likely that you can place a bet on it! With thousands of sports and sporting events to bet on, it is wise to select a few sports you are familiar with to bet on. Choose sports that you know and understand the rules of. Preferably, particularly in the beginning, choose sports that you follow, or at least have a passing interest in. If you don’t favor a sport, then pick a popular one because you are going to need to do your research, and the more information that is available, the easier gathering useful tips will be.
Read and Research
The key to backing a winner – human or animal – is to do your research. The more you know about the athletes, teams and animals you are betting on, the more likely you are to be successful. Make sure you know about form, previous wins and each team’s big performers. Careful and detailed research will also help you to root out the unpolished diamonds and dark horses that stand to help you rake in the winnings. Scanning through a few recent results will give you something to go on, but in the competitive world of sports betting, those prepared to spend the time doing the research are the ones who reap the rewards.
Have a Strategy
Before you place a single bet, take some time to think about your betting strategy. This will hinge largely on what you aim to achieve from sports betting. Perhaps you are in it for a bit of fun, to make match day more interesting, or to win big. Whatever your reason, make your plan. Having a strategy in place will help you to decide what sports to bet on and also what types of bets to place. With such a wide range of odds, bet types and sports available, your battle plan needs to be set out and stuck to.
Incentives and Bonuses
Sports betting is big business, meaning that there are big incentives on offer when it comes to bets and bonuses. Look out for free bets, guaranteed wins and bonus features as you examine the odds. Being savvy with the extras is a sure fire way of maximizing your outcomes and ensuring that your strategy stays on course.
Virtual Sports
As well as real events played in real time, there is also the world of V-Sports to consider. With great graphics and a myriad of ways to bet, these events can be as exciting and rewarding as the real thing with the added bonus that they can take place at a time convenient to you.
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