Many people out there find that a bet is one of the best ways to bump up their interest and excitement – whatever the activity may be – and a lot of these people just make small bets for the fun of it. Even so, who wouldn’t want to win when that’s an option? 

And there are many things you can do to increase your chances, depending on the kind of game you’re playing, the bets you make, and your betting nous – so let’s find out exactly what puts the metaphorical ball in your court and gives you a better chance of taking home the cash! It was estimated that in 2023, 1 in 5 adults were betting on sports in some fashion, so tons of people out there are looking to improve their odds and take home a bit of extra cash!

Tip 1) Choose Your Area With Care

First things first: what are you betting on? There are pretty much endless choices at your fingertips, so it’s well worth considering with care. First, you’ll need to figure out whether you’re looking to bet on sports like soccer, basketball, F1 racing, the UFC fights, hockey, or something else, or whether a casino is more your style, and you’d prefer to be spinning bright slots or trying out your best poker face at the cards table.

These are very different beasts, and both offer their fair share of fun, intrigue, excitement, and more. Casinos are attracting more and more people every year, and have tons to offer to the discerning bettor, with a myriad of interesting and unique games to try. Take your pick of both physical casinos and online options – like Joe Fortune, which offers everything from roulette to baccarat, from poker to pontoon… and for fans of the pokies? Look no further because they’ve got options galore and they’re constantly expanding their selection.

That variety is wonderful for players, and it’s true of the world of physical sports too; you can choose almost any game you enjoy. So, with that much choice on offer, how do you choose?

We’d always suggest selecting a game that you know a bit before you make a bet, and that’s true whether you’re taking a flutter on the latest soccer match or exploring a digital casino from the comfort of your living room. Make sure you’ve got at least some nous about how the game works, what would help you or your chosen player/team win, and what the odds are before you grab your wallet.

Tip 2) Pay Attention To The Landscape

Next up, it’s really critical to pay attention to the world you’re about to send your bet out into. In a casino, that’s most likely to mean focusing on the odds, weighing up your skills, and considering the house edge before you set your bet. In a sports game, it means following the news, looking at the bookmaker odds, and paying attention to the most recent wins and losses to ensure you know if you’re making a good bet.

Player stats, team wins, current opponents, and more all matter enormously when you’re immersing yourself in the world of sports, and it’s important to be aware that this changes a lot more frequently than playing at a casino is likely to do (sure, odds shift around and your skill level is likely to increase, but your risk-reward will probably remain fairly similar and only see gradual changes). In the world of physical sports, you’ve got to constantly have your eye on the metaphorical ball (read: the player stats), so you can judge what a good bet might be.

Want an example? Imagine you’re betting on an upcoming soccer match. How can you bump up your odds? Check out the top players, their recent performance, who they’re up against, and more; all of this helps increase your chances of winning! Taking a flutter on a team like Barcelona, with Lionel Messi, one of the top players of all time, is way more likely to snag you a win than a bet on a rookie team with players nobody’s heard of.

Essentially, keep watching what’s going on, and use it to hone your betting strategy, no matter what kinds of bets you’re making. Casino, ringside, stadium, rink – every one of these arenas requires you to pay attention to the odds, the skills, the opponents (or house edge), and anything that has changed lately if you want to be lining your pockets.

Tip 3) Specialize

We’d also add to that last tip with another simple aspect: don’t go too big. Bet on one game (or two at the most) while you get a feel for this hobby and the landscape you’re handling. Again, it applies to casinos and to physical games – narrowing your interests lets you become an expert and helps you specialize in spotting all the small hints at what a good bet might be. 

Trying to bet on twenty different types of sports (digitally or physically) is really just going to be a disaster; you’ll never get the understanding to make solid bets, and you’re likely to lose in the process. Strong equals simple in the world of betting, and especially when you’re just getting started. Keep it sweet, keep it focused; you’ll be set for success.