Soccer is the most popular sport in the world. There are currently over 3 billion fans worldwide that follow the latest developments in the game. However, for all of its popularity, the game never really took off in the USA. At least until recently.
With the popularity of Major League Soccer growing, as well as the general fame of the sport reaching new heights, Americans are now more likely than ever to watch the game. Which means, they are more likely than ever to wager on it. That is why, in this article, we are giving an introduction to soccer betting.
Understand Online Sportsbooks
The first thing to do is to find yourself a bookie. While there are quite a lot of competent land-based sportsbooks around, most people prefer to gamble online. For good reason too, as online sportsbooks make football betting a lot simpler and more accessible.
However, not all sportsbooks are made equal. Some are simply better than others, and you need to look at the factors that determine a bookie’s quality. The following is a list of some of these factors that you need to be aware of.
- A License: licensed bookies have been reviewed by top authorities, and are regarded as safe and reliable.
- Reputation: there are a ton of forums and YouTube videos discussing online sportsbooks. If the bookie you’ve chosen has a positive reputation, it is likely safe.
- Great Odds: a bookie must offer the best odds it possibly can. Some odds are too good to be true, while others are not good enough. You need to make the distinction.
- Bonus Offers: finally, the main reason bookies online have garnered such success is the bonus offers. Look for ones that suit your betting style, as well as those that are generous.
Keep a Cool Head
When betting, the most important thing to remember is that cool heads prevail where hot heads do fail. Sometimes, your favorite team will be the underdog. Sometimes, you may have to bet against your favorite player. Of course, when you are put into a situation like that, it sucks. But, it is never a good course to simply bet on the losing team.
If you can’t bear to bet against your favorite, then simply forego betting for that particular match. There are other fish in the sea, as they say. It is better to sit it out, rather than to wager cash on a losing team. Remember, you may love the team, but you don’t owe them anything.
Learn to Combat FOMO
The Fear of Missing Out is a relatively new concept in pop culture. However, it is absolutely a real threat, especially to gamblers. Often, we feel left out if we don’t wager during a match. The thought process is something along the lines of…
“What if I don’t wager, and the payout is huge?”
However, the thought process is just one of the many ways that FOMO manages to persevere. Learn to think through that impulse. Realize it comes from a place of anxiety and fear, rather than a genuine desire to place a wager. If you do that, you will not only have a better betting mind, but also lower your risks of problem gambling.
