Betting for beginners

Not all that long ago, the idea of wagering significant money on a video game tournament with a major betting site like William Hill would have seemed odd.  Nowadays it is business as usual, and a growing one at that.  Within a few years, gaming research firms estimate that billions of dollars will be wagered on various pro gaming tournaments each year. 

Thinking of getting into eSports betting for the first time?  It may seem odd to wager on the outcome of video gaming competitions if you are used to betting on athletic sports, but you will find it a fun and accessible pastime—one which may become profitable as well.  Hundreds of millions of dollars are being wagered on games like League of Legends and Dota 2 each year now, and those numbers are expected to climb into the billions within the next few years.

Usually when you bet on sports, you probably stick with the classics: football, cricket, rugby, tennis, the NFL, basketball, ice hockey, and so on.  But these days sports encompass a lot more than just athletics!  The definition of “sports” is being expanded to include virtual competitions as well.  Now, tens of millions of spectators around the world are tuning into streaming tournaments in games like Quake, Call of Duty, Starcraft II, Dota 2, and League of Legends. 

When you think about sports betting, most of the games you think of are probably pretty traditional.  You think of football, tennis, rugby, cricket, basketball, and the NFL.  These are all games which are played in the real world by athletes who have dedicated their careers to reaching the height of physical ability. 

You probably don’t think of League of Legends or Dota 2. 

But did you know that the definition of sports betting is being expanded?  In fact, the very definition of “sports” is starting to transform. 

When you are trying to become a successful punter, you need to look not only at what you should be doing, but also at what you should not be doing.  There are so many mistakes rookies make which cost them money.  Even if you are having a hard time learning the ropes with sports analysis, just avoiding these mistakes will help you to excel.  Be sure to check out Common Sports Betting Mistakes Part 1 if you haven’t already.  Otherwise, read on to find out more common rookie errors you may

You can spend all day talking about best practices for sports betting and still you will have a hard time getting better if you cannot pin down what you are doing wrong.  Sometimes all you need to take a huge leap forward is to recognise a mistake you have been making.  These are largely rookie errors, but even people who have been betting for a long time can make them, especially if betting is a casual pastime.  Even if you wager for fun, though, you want to win.  So ask yourself if you are making any of these mistakes. 

What leads you to make a change in how you bet?  A string of losses?  A single devastating loss?  A loss that takes a toll on your confidence and not just your wallet?  How often do you make adjustments to your betting methods?

As a newbie sports punter, you are going to make a lot of mistakes.  Some of those mistakes will cost you money, others may cost you confidence.  While making mistakes is a given, you may be able to avoid a lot of them outright if you have the right perspective and advice on your side.  What mistakes did I make when I started out?  Read on to find out, and be sure to also check out  What I Wish I Knew When I Started Sports Betting Part 1.

You may have a lot of money to wager on sports. If so, you are not in the majority of punters.  It is far more likely if you are reading this that you can only afford to gamble small amounts.  Even if you hope to be able to make a living wagering on sports someday, “someday” may be very distant.  In the meantime, you may be looking for some motivation.  What are some good reasons other than money to keep going?

When I first got into sports betting, like all newbies, I made a lot of mistakes and lost a lot of money.  Many of those losses would have been avoidable if I knew a few things then that I do now.  If you’re new to sports betting, it is a given that you will lose money through beginner errors.  But maybe some good advice can spare you some of those losses so you can get off to a better start than I did.  Here is what I wish I knew when I first started betting!