Europe is the most beautiful continent in the world. And no, you can’t change our minds. The picturesque landscapes and warm people are the continents to be. If you’re a resident of a European country, you know very well what we’re talking about.
There’s another interesting fact about European people. They’re very passionate punters! As a result, the betting culture, both online and offline, has flourished into a different dynamic. Today, we have an expert who will explain how you can become successful in European betting sites if you wish to be.
We’re talking about none other than the genius, Mr. Tim Harrison from BetZillion.
Tim Harrison to Golf News: Successful Sports Betting and Betting for Fun Are Different
Although we already assumed something like this would be the case, it’s reassuring when we hear it from an industry expert. According to Tim, betting on sports for fun is a global activity. Anyone can do it as long as betting is legal in their countries.
Speaking of legality, there are no central governing bodies to regulate online and offline betting in Europe. It’s the European Commission that oversees the legislation, but it’s up to the countries how they want to control their gambling spaces.
It brings us to the main discussion of this post, the steps to be successful in betting. The decentralized nature of the legislation makes it hard to pinpoint exact strategies that a punter can follow.
But you don’t have to worry about a thing because Mr. Tim Harrison will guide you through the general steps of betting with a pinch of seriousness. So, buckle up because it’s very different from wagering for fun.
Steps for Successful Online Sports Betting
In this section, Tim will share his take on what you can do to streamline your betting process. His emphasis is on a systemic approach rather than abstract bets here and there.
Get Your Expectations in Check
The biggest mistake punters make is that they take things for granted. In reality, there’s nothing for granted in the world of iGaming. You can take all the precautions, but the event may not play out in your favour.
We believe what Tim has tried to say here is that you can’t have unrealistic expectations from the bets. You need to accept that you stand the risk of losing your entire bankroll. With that out of the way, let’s get into some real tips.
Managing the Bankroll
Successful sports betting starts with keeping track of things. And that includes your bankroll. If you didn’t know, the “bankroll” would be your betting fund. In an ideal scenario, it should be separate from your other expenses. Tim strongly suggests that you don’t spend any money betting that you can’t afford to lose.
The first step of management is breaking down your bankroll into units. For example, if you’re starting with €1,000, break it down to 100 chunks of €10. Effectively, that’s 1% of the entire amount, and it should be your ceiling for a single wager.
As you understand the nature of the sports you’re betting on. You can increase or decrease the bet size. But 1% is a good place to start. The benefit of this step is that you eliminate the possibility of blowing out the entire fund on an unlucky bet.
Keep Track of the Bets & the Wagers
As you’re taking betting more seriously than the average punter, Tim wants you to keep track of your bets. You have to submit the bet slip for pre-match bets before an event rolls out. For a tournament, it might be months before the bet is settled.
So, it’s a good idea to write everything down in real-time. That way, when a bet is placed later, you can use your notes as a reference. It also eliminates the possibility of misplacing your bankroll units.
Specialize in One Sport
As an average person, it’s normal to be interested in more than one sport. You might know the basics of Football, Cricket, Tennis, Baseball, Handball, Ice Hockey, and many other sports.
The thing with betting is, knowing the “basics” will take you only so far. To truly become the master of your betting paradigm, you need to specialize in one. So, pick one from your list of favourite sports and know everything about it.
Tim shared a pro tip in this regard, and it’s that you should pick a sport that you relate to. A sport that you enjoy. Otherwise, betting can become boring before you realize it. Also, choosing one that offers easier access to statistics and previous match results will help you in the long run. It brings us to the next point.
Follow Statistics
Statistics are regarded very highly in the sports betting industry. It’s just as true for the European market as well. Previous statistics on a team or a player will give you clear insights into their strengths and weaknesses.
Along with the stats, you can look into the previous match results. For example, if a football match between England and Belgium is coming up, you should check the 2 teams’ past few years of game results.
When you compare the results with your findings from the statistics, you’ll get a clear picture of what might happen in the next match. Of course, your predictions might be wrong, but you’ll be able to place an informed wager.
Go Beyond in Research
Sure, statistics and previous match results are a great place to start. But it’s only half of the equation. To be successful in European sports betting, you have to go beyond the norm. It includes following up on weather reports (especially for outdoor sports), personal lives of the players, and overall team-management relationships.
It’s important because the star player’s life on a team may not be the same as it was in the previous match. Personal issues, injuries, and lots of other factors can change how they will perform in the next game.
Utilise Arbitrage Betting
Arbitrage betting, also known as line-shopping, is a trick Tim likes to keep inside his sleeves. But for Golf News readers, he’s agreed to let it out. Arbitrage betting takes advantage of odds differences for the same event at two or more bookmakers.
It applies to any sport you can think of. Let’s change the dynamic of the previous example of the football match between England and Belgium.
Let’s say bookmaker “A” is offering 1/5 and 1/8 odds. On the other hand, bookmaker “B” offers 2/7 and 3/8 odds. If you place your wager on 1/5 at bookmaker “A” and 3/8 at Bookmaker “B,” you can squeeze out a small profit regardless of the outcome.
Let’s Wrap Up
Tim would like to end on the note that hundreds of other measures can help you become a better punter. But the ones he covered are the basic starting points. Follow it. You have his best regards.