“Can I make money from sports betting for a living?” must have been a question on everyone’s mind who was ever interested in gambling. Well, the answer is yes, but with a few remarks. It seems quite appealing because you believe that the only thing it takes to make a profit is sports knowledge. And that’s totally wrong as you can’t just start placing the “right” bets. In this article, we’re going to figure out if sports betting can be profitable without going into the red, and what it takes to get started.
Overall, the situation is not as rosy as bettors naively see it. All Nigerian football betting sites take a commission — a margin that keeps the bookmaker in the black. It erroneously seems to punters that the predictability of sporting events is an easy thing to master. Subtle analysis helps to make a confident choice, but randomness always limits the chances of permanent wins. Bettors who claim to make money on bets for a living are more of an exception rather than the rule, which once again confirms the precision of the illusion. It’s crucial to separate “making bets” and “making money” because those are not equivalent concepts at all. The real income could be described only as a progressive profit when your winnings prevail over the number of forfeited bets for a long period of time, at least a month.
Sports betting should be perceived only as an intellectual pastime and a way to have fun. But some people consider it a serious professional occupation. Punters who use “fork-bets,” or arbitrage opportunities, can earn a decent living by betting on all possible outcomes of an event with different bookmakers and guaranteeing a profit. Thus, it is possible to win money regardless of the outcome of the match because the bet is placed on both of the two possible, opposite outcomes. It turns out that the profit is driven by the difference in odds that exist with different bookmakers. Companies actively fight such pros. They either limit or totally block accounts and return bets with odds of 1.00, meaning there’s no profit from winning. In addition, arbers are banned from using multiple accounts with the aid of authentication and verification systems.
The wagering market is also familiar with another category of professional punters — cappers. They’re making an income from bets by simply selling their personal predictions for upcoming sporting events. Needless to say, these specialists never face the problems of arbers, such as going against the system and monitoring bets in various bookmaking companies at the same time. However, their labor goes in a different direction. Capper’s work requires maximum concentration, time-approved experience, and deep immersion, which usually takes months, if not years, to acquire. They are proficient in various game strategies and complex, but extremely effective, techniques of analysis. Sounds like a great thing, but usually the biggest issue here is a search for the clients and establishing the customer base, which also requires certain skills in marketing and sales. And even if you succeed, there will always be doubts in people’s minds about predictions, and the disrespect from other professional bettors, along with an overall negative reputation, will never fade away.
Nonetheless, it’s quite possible to secure an additional income without being an arber or a capper. A systems approach, along with having a cool head, will help you to perform with higher efficiency compared to the average recreational punter. Here are some tips that will help you aim in the right direction:
- Accept the fact that nobody can always win. Get over this thought. Losses are a common thing, even among experienced cappers. Be restrained and don’t let your emotions get the best of you. Composure always pays off in the long run, and if you feel frustrated or annoyed, it’s a good time to take a break.
- Statistics won’t be on your side if you come up with an idea to create an income from something that you do not understand. You have to be a know-it-all, an expert in the selected sporting field. Do as much research as you can, and only begin betting when you are completely confident in your ability.
- Keep in mind that there’s always room for improvement. Investing strategies can come in handy when you are moving to an advanced level of betting. These approaches are mathematical systems based on regularities and probabilities that significantly reshape your frame of mind. Eventually, you will get your act together and start to see the fruits of your labor.
- Do not rush up to the bookmakers with the best odds, particularly if a company is barely known or has a questionable reputation. Your main criteria to consider is legality. An entirely legal company ensures the security of your personal data, including bank cards and accounts.
- Make it a habit to carefully read the T&C tab before placing any bets. The fundamental rules are almost identical everywhere, but there are some key-points that should be certainly taken into account if you wish to not be disappointed.
In order to conclude, we’d like to say that taking advantage of sports betting for a long period of time is challenging but real. Just think about this: only 5% of punters have a proven and stable income from betting. Who knows, perhaps you can be among them and achieve the sought-after results. Just remember to sharpen your self-discipline, analytical skills, and attentiveness to details.
