There is one questions that NBA bettors routinely ask: “How can I increase my chances of winning?”
It’s a good question, and the answer involves some fairly simple advice. However, if a sports bettor decides to follow that advice, they are going to have to do some work.
The Problem with Most Bettors
The problem with most NBA bettors is that they aren’t willing to do the things necessary to win. They are satisfied with being part of the betting public and doing what everyone else is doing. The problem with that is most casual bettors are fairly lazy and won’t work hard to make smart bets.
The other dilemma for most sports bettors is that they are impatient, and they believe they have to make money quickly through complex and difficult bets such as parlays. They often risk too much of their bankroll on one game. In no time at all, due to bad betting decisions, they are out of the game.
Careful Prep
Those who are successful at betting on the NBA do the prep work necessary to make smart bets. That includes doing detailed matchups, staying connected to the league and the game, analyzing odds, and determining where the smart money is going. Always ask yourself: Where are the pros putting their cash? More times than not, it’s in the right place.
Low Risk Bets
Go for low risk bets such as point spreads and totals. If you can find a moneyline on a game, take some time to check it out. If you’re only interested in betting on parlays, you’re greatly reducing your chances of cashing in and making money.
The more teams you include in a parlay, the higher the payout, and the smaller your chances of being right. You may want to increase you chances of winning by doing a teaser, but teasers are a bad choice simply because they reduce your winnings so much that they become nearly equivalent to a straight bet.
Unit Distribution
Practice smart unit distribution. Never risk more than five units on any one bet. If you make a five-unit bet, it should done only occasionally. Four-unit wagers are for games in which you’re nearly certain of the outcome. Two to three unit bets go on teams that you are confident about, and one unit wagers are for those that carry some risk. Always limit how many games you wager and how many units you use per betting period (usually defined as one week).
Never bet on a game because it’s the big game or because you’re a fan of a specific team. Fan loyalty goes out the door with sports betting. There’s no place for it.
Learn from Your Success and Mistakes
Always review your bets to determine why you won or lost. Did you win due to great handicapping, or was it a fluke? Ask the same question about the bets that you lost. You can make a great sports bet and due to a chance play, bad call, or late penalty, you can lose.
Endure Lows and Enjoy Highs
In the life of every sports bettor, there are highs and lows. The lows will eventually become highs as long as you stay true to betting basics, and the highs, which are great, will eventually even out. When it comes to NBA betting, the confident and hard-working bettor often enjoys the most success.