Sports Betting Strategies
There are many systems that have been adopted by punters over the years. Whilst we also have dedicated guide pages to matched betting and the labouchere system, on this page we’ve narrowed these down to the four most popular betting systems. Let’s take a closer look at each in turn.
Betting Systems:
Fixed wager
This is as simple as it gets when it comes to betting systems. You keep the amount you wager each time exactly the same regardless of whether you won or lost your previous bet and regardless of your account balance. The benefit of this method is that it doesn’t allow you to get carried away and increase your wagers once you’ve landed a winner.
Martingale
This is a classic roulette betting strategy which has found a home in sports betting. Martingale works by doubling up the amount you wager after a losing bet. In theory, the system sounds superb, but it can be a very risky strategy to employ. There’s no guarantee that one of your bets will win eventually, and you could end up chasing your losses and losing a whole lot of money.
Fibonacci
This staking method is based on the Fibonacci sequence of numbers (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34…) where the two previous numbers are equal to the next number is the sequence. Using this method the bettor needs to select an initial betting unit. The system instructs you to move forward in the sequence once if you lose, and back two steps if you win. It’s less risky than the Martingale system, as the wager amounts don’t increase so rapidly, but like any betting system – it’s not foolproof.
Proportional betting
Experienced sports bettors tend to favour proportional betting. The basic concept is to bet a certain percentage of your bankroll, for example 10%. If you win, the system requires you to increase the amount you wager on your next bet, to benefit from a ‘hot streak’. When you lose, your wager size decreases for your next bet in order to soften the blow to your account balance when you’re on a ‘cold streak’. The general idea here is to limit losses and enhance gains. When it comes to increasing and decreasing your stakes, we’d recommend you do this evenly to avoid any potential huge losses.
Our Verdict
There’s no strategy or system which can guarantee you wins. Whichever method you use, you’ll experience good runs and bad runs. This is part and parcel of sports betting. While these betting systems may seem useful, they do not increase your chances of winning at all. They are simply guides to managing your bankroll.
Unlike casino games such as roulette and craps, sports betting is not solely based on luck. The success of your bets can largely depend on the effort you put into doing your research. In theory, the more knowledge you have of a particular sport, team or player, the better your chances of landing a winner. If you’re a newcomer to the sports betting scene, our betting strategy tips are sure to point you in the right direction!
Whether you decide to choose to use a betting system or stick with one of your own, be sure to check out our list of top sportsbook and grab yourself an amazing welcome bonus to kick things off! All you need to do is compare, pick and bet!
