When it comes to sports betting, punters are always looking to increase the value from every wager they place. Say you’re in the market for a new pair of shoes, and have found two different prices for the same pair – unless you’ve got more money than sense, you’re going to opt for the cheaper pair. It’s the same when it comes to sports betting, although people are often too quick to accept what could end up being the worst price. Beyond that, betting fans sometimes don’t take advantage of the variety of different bets on offer for any sporting event, which have increased significantly ever since the birth of in-play betting.
We’re going to take a closer look at how you can start maximizing your sports bets.
Comparing Odds
In a similar way that you might have a favorite hat that you like to wear, many people have a preferred sportsbook that they will tend to use when they want to place a bet. Whether it’s because they have used that particular site for a lengthy period of time, feel at ease with the way the sportsbook works, the bonuses on offer, the presence of in-play or live scores, or any number of reasons, a lot of punters never really think about changing the betting site they use.
This is even the case when bettors know they can get improved odds at another site. The presence of odds comparisons sites, such as Oddschecker, means punters are now able to get a range of different odds for a particular event, ensuring punters can now view the market before making a decision where to bet. But whether it’s because people don’t want to go through the hassle of signing up to a new site and opening an account or any number of reasons, the fact is that you could be losing out on some significant cash when it comes to winning bets.
Take roulette, for example. When visiting online casinos, a lot of punters choose European rather than American roulette due to the better odds on offer. For those wanting an improved roulette probability, a European wheel is often favored over its American cousin due to the fact it contains 37 pockets, numbered from zero up to 36, while other roulette tables boast one more pocket with the addition of a double zero.
Similarly, in poker, players are constantly trying to maximize the value of their bets, whether it’s by bluffing their way to winning a hand or by squeezing as much money out of their opponents through a mixture of betting or raising throughout a hand.
In sports betting, some sites are well known for offering better odds than others. So while you might not have to forget about your preferred betting site and head to those with better odds for your favored sporting events, whether that is golf or football’s Premier League, it is worth opening accounts with a number of different sportsbooks in order to ensure you don’t miss out on some outstanding odds.
Bonuses
Another benefit of opening a new account with a betting site is that you are invariably offered a string of bonuses when you sign up. Whether it’s a new customer bonus or any of the offers available in order to attract new customers, these bonuses are a brilliant way to get off to a positive start with a new site. It’s becoming more common for betting sites to provide regular bonuses and offers to existing customers rather than just those who have just opened accounts. These are often available during big sporting events throughout the calendar year, whether it is in the form of a money back deal if your bet doesn’t come of, or as a free bet promotion should a particular outcome occur during an event.
A lot of sportsbooks offer interesting bonuses for new customers, either in the form of a free bet or in the shape of money being added to your betting account when you open your account. Plenty of the bigger sportsbooks on the market provide offers for new customers and old, although it usually pays to do a little research of any bonuses you see that seem just too good to be real – because there is a fairly strong chance it is. Doing a bit of research of the terms and conditions of the bonus will often make things a bit clearer, usually involving the punter having to jump through hoops in order to ever get their hands on any money won using a bonus or one of these offers.
Play to your Strengths
While it’s always fun to place a wager on the Grand National or the World Cup, the best way of seeing a return on your investment is by betting on those sports you know best.
Photo: independent.co.uk
Putting your focus into one or two sports in which you have a fair degree of knowledge will give you a much better chance of ensuring your betting account looks relatively healthy on a consistent basis, rather than sitting there like a hungry dog constantly waiting to be fed.
