1 –Sports betting for enjoyment, not a pay cheque

While we’d all love our hobbies to also be our full-time jobs, it’s not (always) possible. Sports betting should only ever be viewed as a means of entertainment that can improve our enjoyment of watching our favourite teams. Never count on it to pay the bills. Betting on sports should be no more than a hobby you enjoy alongside other activities you do in your spare time. Keep things balanced by not dedicating too much time or attention to one thing.

2 – Get clued up

Sports betting is always a gamble! Even if you think you know your stuff, it’s often the unpredictable factors, like a player being sent off, that result in a loss. Having said that, understanding how to improve your chances of winning is important. Rather than betting wildly on everything and everything – follow your teams and their players, get informed – that way you’re in for the most chance of success. Always make sure you understand the odds offered and the rules of any game you’re placing a bet on.

3 – Set limits

It’s vitally important to only ever gamble with money you can afford to lose, otherwise the fun can drain out of things in a hot minute. Responsible sports betters set aside an amount of money specifically to wager and they do not deviate from this budget under any circumstance. Sure, your buddies may have more to wager than you – that doesn’t mean you should up things to their level. Set yourself money limits at either end of the scale – and use these as a no-exception sign to walk away. Time limits are also a great idea. They keep you on track and ensure you don’t lose whole days or nights to sports betting.

4 – Only play at your peak

It’s best to avoid sports betting altogether whenever you’re not at your best. Whether you’re tired, angry, depressed or bored…sports betting should not be used as a means to lift your mood. Also, never place bets when under the influence. Your decisions won’t be as good and you might end up deviating from those all-important limits. Only ever aim to enjoy betting on sports when you’re thinking straight and can make informed decisions.

5 – Avoid superstitions

Sports betting is slightly different from other forms of online gambling that are all about luck and chance, because you can place informed bets based on actual knowledge of teams and their players. However, one thing that is for certain is that no amount of superstition will affect the outcome of the game. Feel free to walk under that ladder or to forget to wear your lucky pants…it won’t influence whether you win or lose in the slightest!