Sports Betting Systems: Do They Work?
Many of us seek a quick fix or easy solution in various areas of our lives. We want to become wealthy without any worries about money, have successful relationships without putting in the effort, and achieve fitness goals without the hard work. This desire for shortcuts also extends to sports betting, with many turning to so-called “sports betting systems” for a guaranteed win.
Betting Systems
Isn’t it difficult to handicap sports and make a profit from betting on games? Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a foolproof system that could guarantee us riches? Unfortunately, such a system does not exist. Nevertheless, there are some common strategies that you may come across.
Martingale System
This sports betting system is one of the most basic and commonly thought of strategies. It involves betting an initial amount on a team, and if you lose, doubling your bet the next night on the same team. This process continues until you eventually win and cover your losses, hopefully making a profit. However, upon closer examination, this strategy is revealed to be fundamentally flawed.For example, let’s say you start with a $1000 sportsbook balance and bet $50 per game. If you lose the first night and continue to double your bet each subsequent night, it only takes a six-game losing streak before you are down $600. This illustrates that the system is not as foolproof as it may initially seem.Furthermore, if you are betting on sports like baseball or hockey with moneylines, the system becomes even more problematic. Having to factor in different amounts and potentially laying juice each time can further deplete your bankroll or reduce your profits.Ultimately, this approach is not a strategic way to bet on sports, but rather a gamble akin to throwing darts. Serious bettors do not follow this system due to its high risk and lack of sound logic.
Betting Against The Public
This strategy is widely known and is generally effective. The idea is to align yourself with the house rather than the public, as the public tends to lose more often than not. However, it’s not easy to always bet against the public. It’s difficult to know exactly what the public is doing, as there are many different betting sources and no definitive answer. While some experienced bettors may be able to predict where the public will bet, it’s not feasible to do so for every game and every sport. In order to consistently bet against the public, you would have to place bets on every game, which is unrealistic. Rather than blindly following this strategy, it’s better to use the public’s betting tendencies as a tool to help inform your own decisions.
Other Systems
A quick Google search will uncover all sorts of betting systems. You’ll see some outrageous winning percentage along with phony testimonials of customers claiming to have gotten rich following the system. The bottom line is that it doesn’t work. Sports betting isn’t something that is overly predictable where a rigid, set-in-stone system with basic parameters can spit out winners for you. Can a well-designed algorithm project where the betting line should be and highlight good value? Sure. An MIT grad could whip one up. But anyone promising huge gains with minimal effort via whatever name they want to call themselves is just being a salesman. You’re better off avoiding that.