Basketball Betting Tips and Tricks
1. Get to know your NBA team
Study your teams, learn their strengths and weaknesses, know their home and road records,
and evaluate them objectively. Pay attention to changes in the quality of a team from one
season to the next as players get older and changes occur in personnel and coaching
staffs. Salary caps and free agency make it more difficult for teams to stay at the top
for long periods, so major improvement or decline from season to season is commonplace in
professional sports.
2. Value gambling - find low risk high reward action
Successful basketball gambling requires getting value on your bets ... basically this
means getting better than the "true" odds on your team. For instance, if your objective
prediction for a game suggests that the Lakers should be receiving 5 points but are in
fact receiving 8, then this is a value-betting proposition. In this case, the risk to
reward is very much in your favor, making the Lakers a b play.
3. Gamble against public opinion
Certain teams always have a b public following. For years, the Chicago Bulls were one such
team, having captured the public's admiration during the Jordan years. High-value bets can
often be found by gambling against these teams because the oddsmakers adjust the line to
reflect the expected amount of public money ... thus, the underdog is often listed with
better odds or a larger point spread than they realistically deserve.
4. Stay abreast of injuries
Watch the injuries, but don't overreact to them. Judge the importance of an injured player
and the quality of his back up. Remember that second-string players are often highly
qualified and are especially motivated when replacing a starter, so it often pays to bet
on a team missing its best player. The public normally overreacts to injuries so you may
find good value in this situation. However, beware of situations where there is more than
one injured stud or there is an injury to the team's captain or inspirational leader.
5. Bet on motivated teams
Sometimes a team doesn't play up to its potential and, at other times, may play well above
what is indicated by their overall record - especially in critical games. Determine how
important a game is to a team. If the team has already clinched a playoff spot, they may
be more focused on the post-season than the present game. Conversely, a team facing a
must-win situation to make the playoffs may be highly motivated. A team out to revenge a
defeat earlier in the season may also be very motivated.
6. Bet with your head, not your heart
Make an honest assessment of a team's chances, not one based on emotions. Don't bet on a
team simply because it's your favorite without considering the real odds. Be selective and
remember that you will only find value betting situations in a small number of games.
Gambling the entire NBA schedule every week is a risky proposition at best.
7. Don't chase your losses
When you do run into the inevitable losing streak, don't panic and make the common mistake
of gambling larger amounts in an attempt to recoup your losses. Instead, examine your
handicapping methods and reduce your betting amounts until you start winning again.
Remember - chasing your losses is the single biggest mistake a gambler can make. Once you
start winning again, increase your bets slightly, but don't go overboard - unfortunately,
like losing streaks, winning streaks also come to an end.
8. Don't bet just for the sake of betting
There is no shame in passing up a bet. Remember that there are sports betting
opportunities almost every day of the year. Don't bet simply for the sake of gambling - be
patient and wait for good value gambling opportunity.
9. Practice smart money management
Good money management is just as important as picking winners. Increase your gambling
amount only when showing an overall profit and reduce your gambling amount when you are
losing. Try to set a maximum percentage of your gambling capital that will be placed on
any one bet in order to minimize your exposure ... many professional handicappers suggest
that no more than five percent of your wagering capital be at risk on any one bet, no
matter how bly you feel about the game.
10. Keep accurate records
Accurate records of your wagering activity are essential for increasing your winning
percentage. For example, do you tend to bet your home team or your favorite team more than
you should? What are the current trends - are more underdogs winning early in the season?
By maintaining records of statistics as well as your betting history will help you to
avoid destructive wagering patterns and, at the same time will enable you to spot trends
that may give you an edge.
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