By PAGE Editor

As a newbie sports bettor, the world of wagering can seem daunting. Between spreads, moneylines, parlays, and more, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the variety of bets available at Ladbrokes betting and other sports wagering platforms.

But sports betting doesn’t have to be scary - armed with the right knowledge, beginners can get in the game and hopefully enjoy the sweet taste of victory. From managing your bankroll wisely to understanding different bet types, here are 10 fundamental tips to help you place your first wagers with confidence.

Know the Different Types of Bets

Before you start laying down money, familiarize yourself with the various bets you can make on sporting events. Here are some of the most common:

• Moneyline: You simply pick which team you think will win the game outright, and bet on them. Favorites will have negative odds (like -200) while underdogs have positive odds (like +150).

• Point Spread: Also called a handicap, the spread sets a margin of victory one team needs to win by. If the spread is -7 and you bet on the favored team, they need to win by more than 7 points for you to cash in. 

• Totals: Also referred to as over/unders, a sportsbook will predict the total combined points scored in a game. You wager whether the actual total will be over or under that set line.

• Parlays: Here you combine multiple bets on one ticket, meaning all your picks need to win for the parlay to cash. The risk is higher but so is the potential payout.

• - Teasers: With a teaser you buy points off the spread to make it more favorable, but the payout is lower than a regular bet. It helps mitigate risk.

Do Your Research  

One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is blindly throwing money at bets without doing their homework. Making informed wagers requires keeping up with things like injuries, roster changes, and team trends. Know which star player is sidelined or if a club is on a hot or cold streak heading into a matchup. Stats and records matter - use them to your advantage. 

Manage Your Bankroll

Having a betting budget and sticking to it is crucial. Don’t wager money you can’t afford to lose. Experts recommend amateurs risk no more than 1-2% of their bankroll on any given bet. You’ll want to gradually build your bank over time, not drain it in one weekend. Remember, sports betting is a marathon not a sprint. Staying solvent over the long-term takes discipline.

Line Shop for the Best Odds

You should always look to place bets at the sportsbook offering you the best odds and lines. This is easy nowadays with all the online outlets competing for your business. Opening accounts with multiple sites means you can shop around for whichever has the most favorable spread or moneyline for your desired wager. Those few points of difference add up over time.

Don’t Chase Losses 

It’s inevitable you’ll have some losing days. But the worst thing you can do is try to immediately make up for it by recklessly betting bigger out of desperation. This knee-jerk reaction can quickly compound the issue and dig you into a deeper hole. Stick to the appropriate bankroll percentage per bet and patiently work your way back.

Use Promotions and Bonuses

Sportsbooks run promotions and offer bonuses like free Slots Peak bets, odds boosts, and deposit matches to attract action. Make sure to take advantage of these perks which effectively give you extra value. Comparing the current promotions across sportsbooks can sometimes influence which one you use for a given bet. Over time, those bonuses will positively impact your bottom line.

Don’t Just Bet Favorites

While the public tends to back favorites, the sportsbooks are all too aware of that tendency. That means the lines and odds will be less favorable on favorites compared to underdogs. Seasoned bettors don’t simply target favorites. In fact, it’s often smart to go against the public underdog consensus when there’s value in it. Don’t be afraid to bet on a shocking upset - they do happen!

Know When to Pass

You’re not required to bet on every single game. In fact, the most seasoned sports gamblers will patiently wait for the right opportunities with value. If you don’t love a certain matchup or spread, there’s nothing wrong with watching from the sidelines until you see a high-confidence wager. Being selective will save you money in the long run.

Take Advantage of Live Betting

These days, sportsbooks let you wager on events even after they’ve started. This creates additional betting opportunities. Maybe a football underdog jumps out to an early lead or a basketball game is more high-scoring than expected - you can capitalize on those changing dynamics by making strategic live bets. Just be quick, because the lines fluctuate rapidly.

Review and Improve

Any successful sports bettor analyzes their past performance to identify tendencies and mistakes. Doing so allows you to learn from your losses and discern which situations or bets have been profitable. Some bettors even keep detailed records and logs. Constantly refine your strategy based on the data. Getting better means having no ego and being honest with yourself.

Embrace the Challenge  

Sports betting is a skill-based endeavor that takes time to master. You shouldn’t expect overnight success. There will inevitably be highs and lows. But avoiding common novice pitfalls, studying the fundamentals, managing your bankroll properly, and staying disciplined will put you on the path toward becoming a profitable sports bettor. With experience, those big underdog upsets will start going your way.

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