From someone who has made money gambling, the unsexy secrets to success are revealed.
I’m willing to bet that you’ve made up your mind already. Either you’ve fallen victim to the signup bonuses, Kevin Hart and Jamie Foxx appearing in ads, or the never-ending link between leagues and sportsbooks, or you’ve decided that betting is not for you, and likely never will be.
Most bettors look at the odds as a way to make money, even a small sum. Some see it as a way to make the game they would already watch be more entertaining, although the majority see it as a get-rich-quick scheme.
Sadly, for the consumer at least, striking gold is rare, and if you’re serious about making money, you should be happy with beer money and nothing more.
Since 2022, I have made $90.13 betting on sports, mostly the NBA, NFL, and college basketball. The fact that I have made any money as opposed to losing a vast sum places me in the minority, and even though my winnings have been sparse (compared to $2,216.31 bet in total), I seem to have uncovered a hidden recipe for success, although most bettors won’t be satisfied with my process.
3 Rules to Winning Money Betting on Sports
Casinos don’t want you to win.
Most of you understand that, at least to a degree. If your bet wins, the sportsbook loses money. They only profit when you win.
Now take a look at the ads, sponsorships, and celebrity endorsements the casinos are able to shell out for. Clearly, they win more than you do. Most bettors are not special and can’t “outsmart” the books. As a winner, admittedly a very small one, I have three rules for every single bet I place, and I urge you to follow them.
It might not guarantee money, but it does guarantee responsible, limited playing. Betting will not replace your job, nor should you ever believe that it will.
1. Watch Every Game You Bet On
If you know the YouTuber Internet Shaquille, the food blogger, you may have seen that he cracked the code to sports betting, and, like my rules, they aren’t particularly sexy. However, he doesn’t watch sports.
If you’re reading Full Court Press, it stands to reason that you do, in fact, follow at least one league closely. With that in mind, forcing yourself to watch every game you place money on will foster responsible gambling.
Watching every game will also force you to think about what will happen, not what could happen. Will Luka Doncic really hit four second-half 3s? Not with the Sacramento Kings’ defense allowing open looks in the paint! If you didn’t watch that game, you might not be able to pick up on those trends.
2. Don’t Bet on Teams You Have Strong Feelings About
Rule #2 seems a little counterintuitive to rule #1. I like the San Antonio Spurs. I know the Spurs better than 99% of people. Certainly, that gives me a leg up, right?
Wrong! If anything, it makes me an emotional bettor, which is never a good idea.
If I make myself a nice dinner and pour myself a drink to watch the Spurs play the Dallas Mavericks in primetime, will I really bet the under on Victor Wembanyama’s rebounds? Will you really make the smart bet, or only wager money on things you want to happen?
The best way to ensure profits is to be tapped in. That’s why you must watch every game you bet on. You also must not be emotional about any regard for wagering, so avoid your favorite—or least favorite—teams.
3. Treat Every Bet Like the Odds Are Even
Scroll up and take a look at the title of this article. “How to Make Money Betting on the NBA.” It’s not “How to Get Rich Betting on the NBA.” I’ve won very little money. Critically, I haven’t lost anything.
If I concoct a five-leg parlay with +1600 odds, my $5 bet will win $80. That’s a great return, and all of the legs seem somewhat feasible. However, if I approach every bet like the odds are -100, no matter how big the payout could be, I’m a lot less inclined to throw money at the casino in the form of parlays.
The best advice I can give? Don’t do what the casinos want you to do. There’s a reason they have profit boosts and promote only the riskiest bets. It’s to lure you in. By wagering on only things that actually have a chance to win, you can maximize profits.
It’s much better to turn $2,000 into $2090 than to take the same $2,000 and walk away with an empty account. Of course, if losing money is a non-negotiable for you, don’t bet anything.
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