Sports betting is now legal in many states after the Supreme Court struck down a federal ban. But what does that mean for fans? 60 Minutes correspondent Jon Wertheim reports on how it could change the way Americans watch and bet on sports.
Betting on sports involves predicting the outcome of a game based on the odds set by a sportsbook. The odds are based on the probability of an event occurring, which is why you’ll see some teams favored over others. If you place a bet on the team that is favored, you win if they beat the spread. If you bet on the underdog team, you lose if they defeat the spread.
The best tip for betting on sports is to bet smartly and avoid placing bets that are not mathematically profitable. This is why most long-term profitable bettors are math freaks. They can spot the spots in a line where the sportsbook is vulnerable and take advantage of them. However, even a smart bet can go wrong. Even the most successful bettors will have some losses on a regular basis.
It’s also important to understand that sportsbooks make money by taking juice, which is a percentage of your bet that the bookmaker keeps for itself. This is one of the reasons why most casual bettors lose money in the long run – the sportsbooks are eating away at their profits.
A common mistake that sports bettors make is chasing their wins. They’ll bet more when they are winning, and less when they are losing. While it may feel like a good idea at the time, it’s not a sound strategy. It’s better to bet more regularly but with smaller amounts, so you can build up a cushion and still have some room to grow your bankroll over time.
Another important thing to remember is that there are no guaranteed bets. You can’t win every bet, no matter how much research you do or how confident you are in your analysis. This is why it’s important to have a solid money management plan and stick with it.
Lastly, don’t be afraid to try new things. There are so many different sports betting strategies that you can test out to see which ones work for you. The key is to start small and work your way up as you gain more experience. This will help you manage your risk and keep you from getting too cocky about the sports betting industry. The amount you bet should be determined by your financial situation and risk tolerance, so start small and gradually increase it as you gain more confidence in yourself. That way, if you do happen to lose some money, it won’t be too devastating. You’ll be able to recover from it and continue making profitable bets. Good luck!