What to Know Before Betting on your Favorite Team
One of the most common pieces of sports betting advice is not to put money on a game or match in which your favorite team is playing. But, there are still ways to make it work (and gamble responsibly).
Note: This article uses fractional odds (e.g., 11/4), a common format in the UK. Depending on your sportsbook, odds may appear in American (+275) or decimal (3.75) format. The same betting principles apply across formats.
No. 1: Set a 30-Second Rule
A simple tip to help minimize the impact of emotional bets is to enforce a 30-second “cooling off” period before you place a bet, in which you take time to consider your options. This simple rule is particularly important when you’re betting in-play.
After a big twist in a game, for example, you may be tempted to place a wager immediately. The odds usually fluctuate rapidly in these moments as bettors rush to capitalize on the shift in momentum, so it’s wise to wait and let them settle.
No. 2: Keep an Eye on the Stats
When betting on matches involving your team, a stats-led strategy limits how far you can be swayed by emotion or bias. Top sites offer in-play statistics for most sports, and keeping an eye on them can provide a factual basis for your bets.
If you're betting before a match begins, examine both sides' form and weigh their key performers. Your instincts may be correct, but statistics reassure that your heart isn’t ruling your head.
No. 3: Track Secondary Markets
If your team is playing, it might be sensible to avoid “outright winner” markets altogether and turn instead to those that can be assessed objectively.
In football betting, this could be “corners” and “cards;” in rugby betting, it could be the “total match points” market; and in American sports like ice hockey and basketball, it could be the “highest scoring period.”
Delving into these markets encourages you to consider the game's stats and other substantive elements, rather than relying purely on instinct and emotion.
No. 4: Hedge Your Bets—and Your Emotions
Start by learning to recognize when you've placed an emotional bet, based more on what you hope will happen than what you think will happen. If you have, look at other markets that could help recoup your stake in the event of a loss.
Everyone feels down when their team loses, but putting some money down on a bad outcome means there’s still something to celebrate at the final whistle. It's the closest thing to a win-win scenario and the simplest way to approach the problem. However, though it’s a valid strategy if you’re looking to minimize losses, it's not the most lucrative if you take your betting more seriously.
Still, there are moments when a smart hedge can be the difference between a loss and a modest win.
