To the casual gambler, sports betting is a bit of fun and with some luck, can result in some winning bets. However, there are millions of people around the world who treat their sports betting seriously and by doing so achieve positive results on a regular basis. If you have been searching for ways to improve your sports betting, using betting guides is a great way to get started.

You will find plenty of information in betting guides but what are some of the basic things you can do immediately to get better at sports betting?

Arguably the most important aspect of sports betting is understanding the full range of terms used at bookmakers. Accumulator, Ante Post, Asian Handicap, Each-way Bet, Fixed Odds, and Live Betting are examples of the types of bet found at most online bookmakers. You do not want to be placing a bet without having a full understanding of exactly what the bet means. If you are ever unsure about a sports betting term, always look it up before you place the bet as you could lose a lot of money because of a simple misunderstanding.

Before you make a sports bet, always compare the odds. There are several odds comparison websites available and they each display a selection of odds for specific sporting events and markets. In some instances, the difference in the odds between various online bookmakers will be minimal but there will be times when there is a big difference, especially when making longer term bets. For example, you may find odds of 20/1 for Manchester United to win the Premier League at your favoured bookmaker but one glance at a comparison website shows a competitor is offering 25/1. The difference in potential winnings for a £20 bet is £100 and that is a significant amount of money.

To improve your chances of making a winning bet, you must do your research. There is simply no excuse for not spending time on researching the two teams, two players or horses before placing a bet. There are plenty of free resources available online that are packed with statistical information and designed specifically for betting purposes. You can even read expert tips before placing a bet but the best advice is to complete your own research.

Ignoring personal bias is one of the major stumbling blocks many people face when sports betting. For example, if you are a fan of Arsenal, are you going to bet against them in a match against Tottenham Hotspur, even if in your mind you know Spurs have a great chance of winning the match? The heart often overrules the head when it comes to making these types of decisions and therefore many leading sports bettors choose to avoid betting on games involving teams or players they support.

Finally, always set a budget and stick to it, no matter what happens. You will lose bets, that is a fact of gambling but you should never chase your losses. Instead of seeing a lost bet as only negative, analyse it and think about what you could have done differently and what you will do differently next time. Do not rush into making another bet in an attempt to win back the money you just lost.

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