The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Sports Betting – How It Works and How to Win

Hello! Today, I decided to move away from various strategies and compile a short guide for novice players, gathering all the relevant information in one place. I think this will be useful for all novice bettors. Here you will find basic information about sports betting, betting methods, how bookmakers work, why it is better to play with legal bookmakers, how not to lose from the very beginning of betting, etc.

What is sports betting?

A sports bet is a wager between a bookmaker and you. The result of the bet is your win or loss (you guessed right or wrong). For example, let’s take the classic case of betting on the victory of one of the teams in a sporting event. You bet that team A will win. If team A wins, i.e. you guess correctly, you win; if not, you lose.

 

Of course, every bet is made not for fun, but for real money, so sports betting is a game of chance in which the bettor wins or loses a certain amount of money. The state has the right to levy income tax on the amount won (i.e. only the amount you have earned), which is currently 13%. This applies not only to sports betting, but also to other forms of gambling, such as online casinos like Stay casino, where players also wager real money with the hope of winning — and where the same tax rules often apply.

Why are bookmakers (bookmakers, bc) needed

A bookmaker is an establishment that organises bets (gambling) and offers betting options (lines) on certain events with a set of odds, based on which the winnings will be calculated (if the player wins). For example, if you guess that team A will win, you will receive your winnings in accordance with the odds that are known in advance, before the bet is placed. Let’s say it’s 2.0, then we multiply the bet by these odds and determine the winnings.Bookmakers earn money on bets through the margin they build into the odds, which is usually 10-15% of the odds. If the odds are 2.0, the bookmaker offers 2.1 – 2.15. This is how the bookmaker’s capital is accumulated.It is important to know that the bookmaker always sets the odds so as not to lose money.At the moment, it is customary to divide bookmakers into two types:

  1. Bookmakers with a low margin are bookmakers that make a profit from turnover and do not care who bets where and how much. Professionals like to work with such bookmakers. The disadvantages are that they have a very narrow line and a small selection of bets. You have to pay for everything.
  2. Fundamental bookmakers are bookmakers that earn money not from turnover, but from players’ losses. For this, they offer good lines with excellent odds, attractive odds, and the possibility of live betting. Such bookmakers love beginners and average players who do not set themselves the task of making money from betting. However, they really dislike players who make arbitrage bets or are well versed in sports – they cut their maximum bets or block their accounts.

How to place bets: offline and online bets

There are two ways to bet on sports. The first option is the classic one – offline betting at betting shops. The second option is more progressive – online betting.I believe that online betting is much more convenient and effective. You can quickly place a bet without leaving your home, which I find very convenient. However, the decision is always yours.I know people who place bets at BTBs and watch the event on TV there while waiting for the result. Of course, there is a special atmosphere there.

How to place a bet online

It’s very easy and doesn’t take much time. There are 3 simple steps:

  1. Choose a bookmaker. I will describe how to do this in more detail later. In the meantime, you can click on the banner on the right. There are always good bookmakers there.
  2. Register with the bookmaker, providing your real details. Complete the identification process, if necessary.
  3. Deposit money into your account and select an event to bet on.

Be sure to provide accurate information when registering in order to receive your winnings. If you do not, the bookmaker will have the right not to pay you your winnings, as you will not be able to confirm your identity.

How not to lose immediately at a bookmaker

This is probably the first question that comes to mind when someone bets their hard-earned money. The point is not to win a lot of money right away. First, you need to understand what you need to do to stay afloat. According to statistics, 92% of all beginners lose their first deposit and 8% win. We need to be among those 8% of players. Of course, no one is immune to losing, and you need to keep that in mind. BUT there are a number of things you can do to reduce the likelihood of losing your bankroll (your money).

  1. Be mentally prepared to say goodbye to your money so that you don’t get depressed after losing it.
  2. Deal with your emotions, because they will prevent you from thinking clearly. Usually, the most stupid things happen when you are emotional.
  3. Gather your strength to start learning about the subject, prepare your mind, for example with brain activity pills.
  4. Never bet all your money at once. Limit your bets to 1-10% of your bankroll.
  5. Set internal rules, such as the number of bets per month, and never break them.

How to win at bookmakers in sports betting

If you want to make real profits from sports betting, you will have to understand sports as well as the bookmakers themselves, i.e. professionals in their field. You need to follow all the events in the sport you want to bet on and analyse them. You can’t forget about this even for a day, i.e. you have to live and breathe sports events and be up to date on all topics. News portals, forums, statistics websites, sports groups, etc. should become part of your daily routine.From this point on, you need to forget about betting at random; you always need to use your brain, knowledge and analyse the information you receive.

Strategies for betting on sporting events: How to increase your chances of success.

Betting on sporting events has long been a popular form of gambling and even a serious form of investment. However, in order to be successful in this endeavour, it is necessary to have well-developed strategies and a conscious approach to analysis. In this article, we will look at some key strategies for betting on sporting events that will help increase your chances of success.

1. Research and analysis

Before placing a bet, it is important to thoroughly research the sporting event and gather information. This includes:

  • Statistics and data: Analysis of past results and statistics of teams or athletes. This may include their performance at home and away, the number of goals scored and conceded (or points scored), as well as other relevant indicators.
  • Team composition: Information about injuries, missing players, as well as recent changes in the line-up.
  • Taking into account factors such as venue, weather conditions and other aspects that may affect the outcome.

2. Bankroll management

One of the most important aspects of successful betting is bankroll management. This includes:

  • Setting limits: Determining the amount you are willing to spend on bets and sticking to that limit.
  • Betting units: Set a fixed bet size as a percentage of your bankroll. This will help you avoid large losses.
  • Avoid martingale: Do not try to double your bet after a loss. This can lead to large losses.

3. Betting strategies

There are many strategies for betting on sporting events, including:

  • Betting on the favourite
  • Betting on the underdog: Betting on the underdog with high odds, which can lead to big wins if successful.
  • Betting on totals: Betting on the total number of goals, points or other units in a game.
  • Half-time betting: Betting on the outcome of the first half of a football match or the first half of another sport.

4. Betting psychology

Psychology plays an important role in betting. Important:

  • Stay calm: Don’t get carried away by your emotions and don’t place bets when you are excited.
  • Practice discipline: Stick to your strategies and limits, and don’t make impulsive bets.
  • Learn from your mistakes: Analyse your past bets and learn from your mistakes.

Conclusion

Sports betting is more than just a game of luck — it’s a complex activity that requires knowledge, discipline, and strategy. For beginners, understanding how bookmakers work, choosing the right betting format (online or offline), and learning how to manage their bankroll are the first crucial steps toward minimizing early losses. Entering the world of sports betting unprepared often leads to quick failure, which is why a thoughtful and informed approach is essential.By focusing on research, analysing statistics, keeping up with sports news, and avoiding emotional decisions, bettors can significantly increase their chances of success. It’s important to remember that consistent winnings don’t come from random guesses but from informed decisions and proper risk management. Betting should be treated as a calculated process, not a shortcut to easy money.In the end, whether you’re betting for fun or aiming to make a profit, staying disciplined and continuously learning is what sets successful bettors apart. Take your time, bet responsibly, and always treat it as a form of entertainment first — the profits will follow only with patience and smart choices.