The Art of Sports Betting

During my first official "21" Vegas trip in 2006, I made one sports bet. I put $250 on the Wake Forest basketball team to cover thirteen points against a measly division two opponent. The next two and a half hours were that of misery, and the gambling gods (Barles Charkley and Jichael Mordan) teaching me a lesson. Wake won by exactly thirteen so I was lucky to get my money back. What I lacked in financial gain that day, I made up for in sports betting know how. Its now nearly 4 years to the day since the "Mistake Forest" fiasco,. I've made hundreds of additional sports bets since, and have done pretty well. As I look to return to Vegas this week for New Years, I look to continue my success by following my two rules.

#1: Know Your Opponents' Opponents

Essentially, do your homework. Make sure you know at least a few things about both teams via research. All I knew about that Wake Forest game was the spread, and that I have never heard of the other team. What I didn't know was that Wake was a notoriously slow starting team, they had a key injury on their bench, and the other team was in the top 10 shooting the 3 in Division II. Simply knowing one strength and weakness of each team will make your bet that much stronger. Such is why betting in sports ultimately makes you a better sports fan. It forces you to know facts or watch games you normally wouldn't, and gives you a better understanding of the sport in general.

#2: Be Wary of Allegiance and Marquee Matchups

Betting on your favorite team is bad juju. Just leave it at that and move on. Trying to watch a game where you've placed a bet on your team is like Kwame Brown's inside game. It sucks. Also. too much emotional investment can lead to dumb bets. Staying away from marquee games isn't a necessity, but more a warning. If both teams do a number of things well and people of the media think its going be a "great game," stay away. You're much better off to be a spectator and hope for a good game. Teams always circle the "big" games on their calendar, their preparation is greater, and the hype bigger. All the makings for an upset or letdown.

Going with your gut instinct, and always gambling within your means are important aspects to remember as well. The legal team here at The Finerside is not strong enough yet to not warn you about betting your mortgage based on my Bowl Picks. However, if you are using my picks you would be 6 - 3 right now with a little extra cash in your pocket for those 'Car Bombs' on New Years. Obviously anything can happen which, a la Herm Edwards, is why you play the games in the first place. Take my advice though, and you'll soon discover it pays to know, and knowing is half the battle. Thanks G.I. Joe.