There's no sure path to victory for the sports betting enthusiast but abiding by a few well-chosen New Year's resolutions could lead to greater success in 2010:
I resolve to never bet more than I can afford to lose.
I resolve to understand that sports betting is a continuous process and that how I do for a day, a week or a month isn't as important as how well I do for the long run.
I resolve to never try to "get even," recognizing that money lost no longer is my money.
I resolve to never bet more when I fall behind but press good luck and increase my wagers when I'm ahead.
I resolve to make a few future book wagers, if only to provide me with possible betting options and hedging opportunities later in the season.
I resolve to never bet a game just because it's on television.
I resolve to understand that a pointspread isn't a prediction of the final margin of a game but a tool used by the house to entice equal wagering on each side.
I resolve to understand the value of football "key numbers" and especially why bookmakers move so cautiously around a pointspread of three.
I resolve to only bet NFL middles of three or seven.
I resolve to learn the major differences between NFL and college football wagering, including why emotions such as revenge and retribution play a larger role in NCAA contests.
I resolve to check weather reports before betting on football.
I resolve to check injury reports before betting on football.
I resolve to do more than analyze individual teams but to see how teams matchup against each other.
I resolve to consider betting "under" early in the week for games scheduled for cold weather cities in winter in the hope that snow, rain or cold temperatures will give me an edge.
I resolve to understand that, with the exception of the Super Bowl, line moves are generated by the play of professional bettors, not the masses.
I resolve to learn that, aside from talent, travel is the most important factor in the NBA.
I resolve to see individual NBA games in the context of travel schedules and strongly consider betting against teams that are on the road playing their third game in four nights or fourth game in six nights.
I resolve to consider the debilitating effects traveling across time zones--particularly from coast-to-coast--can have on both NFL and NBA teams.
I resolve to learn that it is difficult to win in college basketball without a proficient point guard.
I resolve to understand that quality college basketball teams rarely lose straight up at home so taking a small spread on the visiting underdog isn't usually a good play.
I resolve to know that the home court can be so important in college basketball that pointspread swings of 10-15 points are common in home-and-home series between conference opponents.
I resolve to understand that a basketball team that relies heavily on the 3-point shot can win by a lot or lose by a lot and thus, is a tricky team to bet on or against.
I resolve to know that picking the winner of a golf event, while potentially rewarding, is extremely difficult and should be nothing more than a novelty bet from time to time.
I resolve to learn that only a handful of drivers win NASCAR events over the course of a season and that most other drivers are "throw-outs."
I resolve to be careful betting boxing, especially heavyweights, where a lack of conditioning often can pre-determine the outcome of a fight.
I resolve to try to ascertain which fighter is motivated and which is just out for a pay day.
I resolve to not put much stock in a boxer's overall record, recognizing that styles and quality of opposition is far more important in determining the likelihood of success.
I resolve to consider speed, track bias and value as the three core elements when betting a horse race.
I resolve to understand that despite high vigorish, horse racing is one of the few sports where the bettor can triple, quadruple or earn 10 times or more his original bet on a single wager.
I resolve look at "special" wagers such as the outcome of TV reality shows, Elvis sightings, snowfall levels, et al, as amusing but not a serious source for my wagering dollars.
I resolve to understand that while a handful of people earn a living wagering on sports, given the excitement and enjoyment sports betting provides me, I'll be very happy to finish close to even in 2010.
This article was written by Luken Karel for http://www.thegreek.com. The Greek Sportsbook & Casino is host to one of the top online sportsbooks offering sports betting on NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and all other major sports. The Greek is a must have sports betting and entertainment portal with one of the largest wagering menus available online. Article reproductions must include a link pointing to http://www.thegreek.com
