The real strategies behind sports betting and online casino wins
Whether you’re placing a bet on your favorite team or trying your luck on digital slots, having a game plan can make all the difference. Here’s a deep dive into both classic and lesser-known gambling strategies that might just help tilt the odds a little more in your favor.
Gambling isn’t just about luck. Yes, luck plays a big part, but if you’ve ever watched an old pro sports bettor or regular casino player at work, you know there’s a bit more going on than meets the eye. From strategic bets to psychological games, players have picked up all kinds of tricks to maximize their haul (or at least limit their losses). Whether you are a beginner to the world of gaming or just need to improve your game, mastering these strategies is a great way to level up.
We’re tackling in this article both sports betting and casino strategy. We’ll break down the old favorites everyone makes mention of and some more cunning approaches that don’t receive as much spotlight but are definitely worth looking into.
Bankroll management: Your first line of defense
You have to talk about money before you even think about which team to bet on or which slot machine to play, and in this instance, how to play with it.
The 1% rule: A gambler’s best rule is never to bet more than 1% of your bankroll on a single bet. It won’t be exciting, but it’ll keep you in the game longer and prevent you from emotional, insane betting.
Set win/loss limits: Decide ahead of time how much you can lose, and stop there. Same thing with winning. Greed is tempting when you’re on a winning streak, but the art of knowing when to stop is a whole other thing.
Having the right platform matters
Any good strategy would be useless without a good platform to play on. Nowadays, websites offer a smorgasbord of casino games, from the perennially popular slots to blackjack, poker and even roulette.
One site that’s been generating a bit of buzz is Aviator, which not only does it contain a huge selection of games under one virtual umbrella, but it also makes it stupidly easy to sign up and get started. Whether you’re a newcomer or an experienced bettor, Aviator has promotions and bonus offers to keep it engaging for all. And, of course, you can play it all from the comfort of your sofa, no formal attire necessary.
Smart plays in sports betting
Sports betting is not just selecting the team you like or who should win. It’s value, timing and reading between the lines.
The value bet: It’s all about choosing bets where the odds available are higher than the likelihood of the event happening. If you get your research done and continuously discover value, you’re already ahead.
Fade the public: Whenever the public is eagerly loading one side of a bet, bookmakers have a tendency to adjust the odds so that they balance the action. This offers opportunity on the unpopular side of the bet. Betting against the public can be risky, but it can reward you if you know what you are doing.
Line shopping: Not all sportsbooks provide the same lines. Smart bettors will shop around at many sites to discover the best line for their wager. That half-point difference may not sound like much, but it does make a big difference in the long run.
Arbitrage betting: Basing on all possible results of a match in different sportsbooks where the odds are exactly right to guarantee profit. It involves some good research, and the margins aren’t usually large, but it’s one of the very few mathematically guaranteed-return betting strategies.
Online casino strategies: More than spinning and hoping
Online gambling is booming and even if it’s all luck, there are a few games where strategic play is actually allowed.
Blackjack – counting the cards: While online live dealer games render traditional card counting impossible due to shuffling, some players still pattern card or use watered-down versions of card counting in order to be more likely to win. It’s not a certainty, but it’s better than shooting blind.
Martingale betting system: This is a goodie but oldie. Double the bet on every loss so that your first win reimburses all losses and earns you a profit equal to your initial bet. It’s applied in roulette and blackjack but has a high risk if you encounter a series of losses.
Paroli system (the positive progression method): As opposed to Martingale, in this case you increase your bet after a win, not a loss. This system is based on hot streaks and will preserve your bankroll on losing streaks.
Volatility chasing in slots (a hidden trick): Volatility is chosen by some experienced players when they pick slots. Slots with low volatility pay small amounts often, while high-volatility slots hit gigantic but rarely. Players can choose games that suit their game, steady or jackpot chasing, by studying payout tables and a bit of research.
Psychological strategies: Mind games that matter
Much of gambling is psychological. Learning how to manage your emotions, and knowing when they’re getting the best of you, can either win or lose your session.
Tilt awareness (pilfered from poker): When you start making poor decisions through frustration, you’re “on tilt.” Step away. Depart. Come back when you have a clear mind.
Loss aversion bias: The majority of players will pursue losses, trying to make back what they’ve already lost. Don’t be among them. Stick to your strategy, even when it hurts.
The gambler’s fallacy: Just because a roulette wheel has landed red five times doesn’t mean black is “due.” Each spin is an independent event. Don’t chase false patterns.