Most of us think of sports betting as a fun and exciting way to enjoy the game. There’s always a little more adrenaline flowing when there’s skin in the game. Yet, the truth is most gamblers bet without a strategy.

But, did you know professional sports bettors generally win about 54% of bets to make a profit? These are the people that study the lines and odds every day. But consistent winning is harder than it seems.

Even so, with a little more knowledge, you can give yourself a better chance to win. So, if you are thinking of upping your game with a better strategy, keep reading. Here are 7 sports betting tips to get an edge.

1. The Zen of Sports Betting

The first rule for any successful venture is discipline. This means you have to use logic over the emotional aspects of betting. For example, when you feel tempted to go outside your budget, you have to control it. Otherwise, the temptation will control your betting.

Let’s face it. A bookie is happy to take any bet you want to place. It’s up to you to decide the best margin for success. Use sound logical reasoning for placing any wager instead of betting on a whim.

Most of the time, it’s the bets you don’t make that will save your bankroll. So, if you’re ready to commit to a winning strategy, let’s talk about bankrolls.

2. Set A Budget

This sounds like a simple start, but most sports bettors don’t look after their money. For a chance at winning on sports betting platforms, you have to begin with a fixed bankroll. Then, your best practice is to operate within that bankroll.

Let’s say, for example, you plan to bet on games during the NFL season. First, deposit an amount that you afford to wager for the entire season. Then, decide on a sports betting limit for each week.

Of course, this doesn’t mean you have to make a wager each week. But, discipline your mind to bet within what’s on deposit only. Then, stay on budget with a determination never to add more funds.

Finding a bookie with agreeable odds is a lot easier for the average gambler today. Most online sports betting sites are on a pay-per-head betting system. So, online sites are using the services of trusted pay per head platforms for odds.

The competition has tightened odds variations down to algorithms. So, there’s no percentage in going from site to site to get better odds. You can feel comfortable sports betting with a single pay-per-head platform.

All that’s left for you is to choose a pay-per-head site with betting screens that suit your needs. These are the ones that are easy to navigate to the bet types you want. They also have good customer service when using the best pay-per-head providers.

3. Choose Your Sport

To be a successful sports bettor, you should know about selected sports. So, only place bets in sports you study. Betting on games, you don’t understand is a sure way to deplete your bankroll.

If baseball and hockey are the only games you follow with passion, don’t bet on soccer or football. There are too many variables involved in a sporting event that can go against you. So, if you don’t know anything about the players, it’s best to stay away.

It’s hard to choose a winning horse if you’ve ever studied a racing form. It’s even harder if you have never seen a racing form. So, betting on names of horses or looking only at the odds is a definite no-no.

Anyone can indeed strike it lucky, but that isn’t a betting strategy. You might as well buy a lottery ticket. Your chances of winning are about the same.

But, if you’ve been following baseball your whole life, your odds of winning a bet increase. You know the players and how they perform in certain situations. You know the ballparks and the kinds of scoring that happen there.

Those are the valuable pieces of information you should use to make a wager. Again, without emotion involved, make a sound choice based on what knowledge you have.

4. Get Inside the Game

Most of the knowledge you have about a particular sport is only the tip of the iceberg. But, you may have more knowledge than you think right now. Choosing which game to bet on comes down to these details.

For example, knowing that the baseball flies better on a certain day in one ballpark is advantageous. Therefore, you might want to bet on the over on that windy day, with the chance of scoring being higher. Study these trends for each game before betting.

Weather and location aren’t the only factors that could decide the outcome of a game. For example, time of day is important if a team is traveling through time zones for games. And, of course, the physical condition of key players is vital information.

Many of these tendencies will move betting lines up and down. So, watch for odds movement in your sports betting site. Often, professional sports bettors will wait until almost game time before wagering.

So, with a game that interests you, find out as much information as possible for as long as possible. You may hear of a key injury that will tip the scales for or against your wager. But, once again, the emotions must get put aside to make the best choice.

5. Learn Other Types of Bets

Sports betting sites all offer bets beyond the outcome of a game. For example, you can also choose to bet on the total points scored by both teams. In addition, most sports betting platforms will allow wagers on individual players.

The technology of online sports betting has introduced a host of betting opportunities. For example, betting while games are in progress is now available with these pay-per-head platforms. So, if you are comfortable betting on players more than final scores, the option is yours.

The key is to play to your strengths. That may come with some trial and error, but you can find your niche if you manage your bankroll well. The goal is to make a profit, so make the types of wagers that give you the best odds of winning.

Some professional bettors look for ideal matchups. So, their bet size may change with a certain comfort level. You will need to find that zone to be successful.

6. Stay In Your Lane

Again, discipline is the key to successful sports betting. Unfortunately, many amateur bettors make the mistake of getting swayed out of their comfort zone. You might get a hot tip on a game you know nothing about, but that doesn’t mean you should act on it.

If you’re willing to put the time into studying the tip in more detail, then you might make a bet. But, without sound knowledge, you should probably avoid the advice. The bookie who takes in these kinds of bets is generally happier in the end.

Losing streaks happen to every sports bettor. The best don’t let themselves drift off course. So, for goodness sake, heed one of the gambler’s credos.

Don’t chase bad money!

This means when you aren’t winning, do not try to get it all back with bigger bets. That’s a slippery slope that most gamblers tumble down. The moonshot rarely works out in the player’s favor.

7. How Much Do I Bet?

The best way to protect your bankroll is to bet with purpose. Pay per head betting platforms are set up to allow for a wide range of bets. So, you can start as small as you like.

Generally, professional gamblers only bet between 5% and 10% of their bankroll on a single bet. So, for a $1000 bankroll, your largest single bet is $50 to $100. They also stay away from parlay bets.

A two to three-game parlay can earn you more money for your wager. But you have to be correct on every part of that bet to collect a win. So it’s best to stay with single bets to keep tight control on your stack.

Remember, professionals make winning bets about 54% of the time. Anyone who says they are doing better than that is either lying or very lucky.

Make Your Luck

Like any business, succeeding at sports betting involves patience and hard brain work. Yet, when practiced with discipline and knowledge, it can be a lot of fun. But, of course, it all depends on your own expectations.

But, if you’re serious about improving your betting odds, this is a good place to start. If you can remove the emotional aspect of gambling and stay within your means, sports betting is fun. Like any competition, you can learn as much from your losses as your wins.

And, as your sports betting journey continues, you might want to test the other side of the betting window. So, if you’re interested in becoming an online bookie or want to learn more about PPH, sign up for our demo.