5 Reasons You Suck At Sports Betting (And A Way To Bet Better)


Having "VIP" status with a sportsbook is not a good thing...it likely means you suck more than most. 

Sports betting can be fun, but honestly, most of us are not good at it. We may remember that parlay we nailed or the surprising underdog, but those instances are rare. While some excel more than others, here are five reasons we still suck and a solution. 

1. To put it bluntly, we're dumb. 

Many of us need to be well-informed to feel confident about a bet. In a survey conducted last year with 450 respondents, having the knowledge to make an informed bet was the biggest hurdle for Ontarians to begin betting on sports. 

But what are we to do? Most of us lack time to research teams and players, analyze statistics, and find the best betting odds. As a result, we may rely on our gut, the "eye" test, or popular opinion and bet with sites that we hear the most about, which often leads to poorer betting decisions.  

2. Some of us, especially the newbies, simply don't understand betting types. 

Video gif. A man reacts to something surprising, looking puzzled. Dozens of question marks pop up around him.

Various bets exist, such as moneyline, point spreads, and over/under totals. Many inexperienced bettors misunderstand these types, leading to poor choices and wasted money.

Here's a cheat sheet on betting types for newbies. 

3. We are too emotional 😩😡😊😎😱

Sports betting can be emotional, especially when favoring a team or player. Bettors often base wagers on emotions rather than actual winning chances. Successful sports betting requires patience and strategy, but emotional decisions frequently lead to irrational betting and losses.

4. We lack good bankroll management and tend to chase losses.

Bankroll management is essential in sports betting. Many casual bettors fail to set or adhere to a budget, leading to overspending and financial issues. A solid bankroll strategy allows bettors to remain engaged by making informed decisions without removing all the fun. Bettors can utilize tools like wagering limits, usually available in sportsbook settings under responsible gaming, and different strategies like the Kelly Criterion, which recommends wagering amounts based on your bankroll and odds. 

5. We forget that sports betting is a business. 

In any form of gambling, the house always has an edge. Sportsbooks set odds to ensure they make a profit over time, which is how they stay in business. Many bettors don't consider this fundamental aspect and assume they can consistently beat the odds. Understanding that the odds are calculated based on a wide range of factors and that sportsbooks are skilled at setting those lines can help create a more realistic betting strategy.


A solution...Sportto, our betting platform.

These are two main reasons why we are THEM. 

Reason 1: We're a sportsbook operator that doesn't manage our own sportsbook. You bet against our partners, and they compete to give you the best odds.

Reason 2: We generate revenue solely by providing value to the bettor. Since we don't profit by betting against you, everything we do focuses on optimizing your betting experience. This is why we can concentrate on integrating tools into the platform that help you make informed bets and offer functionality that gives you more control over your wagers, like automated betting, i.e., tell Sportto to automatically place or cash out of a bet if the odds move favorably or unfavorably. 

To learn more about Sportto, visit sportto.ca, or read this post to learn why this approach is ideal for bettors: Not Your Typical Sportsbook...What Would An Ideal Sportsbook for Bettors Look Like?  

Sportto is currently in development with plans to launch in Ontario sometime this fall. Our primary focus until the end of April is to gauge interest, so if you're interested, join us at Sportto!  Signing up is free, takes seconds, and we won't spam you. Plus, during this "gauging" period, we're offering perks like Zero-Fee Betting—make a bet, cash out of any winnings, and access all our features at no cost if you refer a friend after signing up. Happy Betting! 

If you decide to bet, please do so responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, please call the Ontario ConnexOntario Help Line at 1-866-531-2600 or find a gambling counsellor. 

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