SPORTSBOOK GAMBLING AND YOUR HEAD
Use it, don't lose it.

by walter jefferson
__________________________________________

Achieving successful sportsbook gambling involves the right mixture of three basic things: trends, facts and instinct. The big difference between casino gambling and sportsbook gambling is that, for example, where the roulette ball falls is random but in sportsbook gambling predictions based on knowledge of the game are genuinely possible and therefore the sportsbook gambler is dealing with odds which are based on the gamblers opinion not purely random odds. For many gamblers, this makes sportsbook gambling the challenging and rewarding work of a lifetime.

First of all, there are trends of which the online gambler must be aware. Just as, in the long run, 1 in 6 throws of a dice will return a six, there are trends in sportsbook gambling which hold true in the long-term such as, for example, about 10% of all NFL games finish with the favorite winning by 3.

Secondly, there are facts about the sportsbook event in question. The successful sportsbook gambler knows the teams, knows the history of the two teams whenever they meet in competition. The succesful sportsbook gambler knows about injuries or injury doubts, players playing against their old franschise or club with a point to prove, teams which have been doing well and are due a drop in form, teams which have been going through a rough patch and are due a return to form. Intricate knowledge of such things as form and injury can also make a telling difference to the gambler's success regarding timing of the bet. If, for example, a key player of a team is a doubt for the game pending a late fitness test which he fails, this could swing the odds at the last moment. Or the odds of a weekend fixture could be swayed by success or failure in a midweek game, so bets made before or after the mid-week game could make a big difference in winnings.

Thirdly, the sportsbook gambler needs to have a feel for the game which comes with experience. Moreover, the sportsbook gambler needs to be able to distinguish between feelings and emotions, he must be able to distinguish between who he thinks will and who he wants to win. In a very grey area of research (simply because most sportsbook gamblers cannot make the latter distinction), studies on sportsbook gambling suggest that as many as 90% of sportsbook bets are placed on the team the gambler wants to win the game, even if only subconsciously. This is actively encouraged by supporter websites who invariably suggest that their supporters should place bets on their favorite team. Furthermore, for neutrals or for supporters of a team not involved in the sportsbook event in question, the most commonly desired outcome for the given event is victory for the underdog, who also happens to have the more inviting odds. Go figure!

Sportsbook gambling is a game of knowledge and experience, much more than casino gambling. In short, you need to use your head and you also need to use your heart minus your hopes.

Ready for online sportsbook gambling?
Click here for Betfactor.com's recommended online sportsbook!