8 Do's and Don'ts of NBA Betting

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Gambling on the outcome of a sports event could almost always match the thrill of the event itself. With a game as fast-paced as basketball, you can never predict when the odds will flip. It is what makes basketball betting so fun and exciting!

As another season of the National Basketball Association or NBA dominates the field of sports gambling, what should every bettor keep in mind to achieve maximum profits? Here are eight do’s and don’ts to help you win your bets:

Do Your Research

Who wants to stake money on teams they have no knowledge of? To maximize your profits, at least do some fair share of planning and research beforehand. Do equip yourself with strategies that are backed with data before stepping out into the wild.

Know your history as well! Study the past performance and records of the players and their implication on the NBA spreads and odds. Know the lineups, statistics, and matchups. Always align your bets with what you have learned.

Do Study Injury Reports

You do not want to bet on a team that is not in their top condition during a game. It is a risk that is unnecessary and completely avoidable by studying injury reports before placing a wager.

Take the blowout Golden State Warriors suffered last season due to the absence of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson from hand and knee injuries. It ultimately resulted in the team’s elimination from the playoffs. Star players sustaining injuries could drastically impact results!

Do Set a Strict Budget

Never run dry and risk yourself a gambling addiction by managing your bankroll right. While indulging in the fun of sports betting, remember to be mindful of your expenditure and set a budget to strictly follow through.

A strict budget will allow you to organize your funds and help you decide when to stop after a few wins and losses. It will also help you avoid borrowing money for gambling purposes.

Do Know Your Geography

While seemingly trivial, geography also affects the condition of the players before a game. Travel schedules can disrupt performance by sleep issues and travel fatigue. Thus, try your best to map the travels of the team you are eyeing to bet on.

In planning your bets, you must also consider home-court advantage. Teams win at least 60% of their games in their home arenas. Psychologically, the players may be more comfortable and confident playing on their side of the area.

Don’t Bet on Every Game

Remember to take periodic rests, and do not bet on every game. The need to wager on too many events is a sign of irresponsible gambling. Not only are you risking your bankroll but also yourself from a gambling addiction.

Study the odds at all times. If the risk is too high, you might want to step back and not place a bet. On the other hand, if you persistently feel the need to, take a breather. It is a symptom of compulsive gambling that you should act upon.

Don’t Chase Your Losses

Throwing money around over a single loss is a recipe for disaster. Yes, you are frustrated. But you are only setting yourself up for more failure by betting with larger and larger amounts after a losing streak.

One chases a loss by wagering an enormous sum of money on another game to regain the said loss. Who knows if you actually win this time? Not only will you waste more money, but you will also go home devastated.

Don’t Get Too Emotional

Emotions have no place in sports gambling. Your judgments are no longer logical by letting yourself be led by a recent frustration from a loss or a high from a win. So bet with intellect and do not get too emotional!

Stay level-headed and collected. Always go back to your strategies. Decide based on the odds, not on what you feel. Remember how much money and effort you are staking on a bet, and do not let your emotions be at the helm of your decision-making.

Don’t Gamble When Not In The Right Headspace

If you are stressed and have something to drink, you better not place a bet. The last thing you want is to depend on gambling for emotional release and stability. Do not gamble when you are not in the right headspace to make good decisions!

When upset, you cannot discern the proper actions and get rather emotional. As previously mentioned, you must not be an emotional gambler. Drunkenness is also a big no-no, for bettors who drink and gamble at once are associated with more reckless behavior.

Final Thoughts

Sports gambling is more than its fun and profit. It is also an intellectual activity that needs a sound mind for good performance. Thus, in betting on the outcomes of this year’s NBA season, keep in mind the things to and not to do to win all your bets in no time.