There’s no doubt that sports betting is a huge part of the United States’ culture, with more than $13 billion wagered legally in 2019. But it’s important for newcomers to have one key objective in mind before they place their first bet: have fun.
But in order to have fun and be successful, a bettor needs to be able to separate his or her emotional attachment to the outcome of a game. For this reason, many experienced bettors avoid betting on their favorite teams, focusing instead on stats and math to make their decisions.
It’s also important to set a budget, especially for those new to the world of sports gambling. A good rule of thumb is to risk 1% to 5% of your total bankroll per play. This will allow you to enjoy the thrill of big sporting upsets without worrying about a major loss that could derail your entire sports betting strategy.
Another important piece of sports betting advice is to learn the rules and terms of each sport. While most games have common terms, there are unique phrases and terminology that are used in each sport, such as point spreads and over/under bets. A good starting point is to find a sports betting website that provides definitions of these terms and an overview of the rules of each game. This will help you understand the game better and be able to place more informed bets.