22bet is a great platform to test your knowledge and make some extra cash, but some people lose money in the long run. And it’s not because they’re unlucky or don’t know sports well enough. It’s usually because of avoidable mistakes that drain their bankroll over time.
If you’re serious about betting smarter, you need to recognize these mistakes before they cost you. The good news? Most of these errors are easy to fix once you know them. So, let’s break down the biggest ones and how to avoid them.
Mistake #1: Betting with Your Heart, Not Your Head
This is one of the most common traps. You love a team, so you bet on them even when logic says they’re going to lose. Or, even worse, you bet against a team you dislike, even when they’re clearly the better option.
- Example: You’re a huge Manchester United fan, and even though they’ve been struggling all season, you keep betting on them to win because you “believe.”
- Fix: Learn to separate fandom from smart betting. Before placing a bet, ask yourself: “Would I make this bet if I had no emotional attachment to the team?” If the answer is no, don’t bet.
Mistake #2: Chasing Losses
It doesn’t matter whether it is gambling, but as it always happens when you happen to lose a bet, the aggressive urge to gamble again in order to “win your money back” ensues. Such is chasing losses- those things that chew the money fast. After an emotional ruin, you start with bad bets, which see you picking games that you ordinarily would not just because you are desperate to graduate. This opens a downward spiral of betting bigger in the hope of luck.
- Another classic example is when you lose a huge bet in the afternoon and put some money on a random NBA game that night despite not planning on betting on it.
- Solution: Set strict bankroll rules and take a breather when you lose a bet. Stick to your plan, and don’t let emotions govern your actions.
Mistake #3: Ignoring Bankroll Management
Speaking of bankrolls, this is the most important thing in sports betting, yet most people ignore it. If you don’t have a plan for how much to bet, you’ll go broke faster than you think.
- Example: You start with $500 and bet $100 per game. After five losses, you’re out.
- Fix: Follow a unit system, betting a small percentage of your bankroll per bet (e.g., 1- 3). This will help you minimize risk and maximize long-term survival.
Mistake #4: Betting on Too Many Games
More bets don’t mean more wins. In fact, betting on too many games spreads your money too thin and lowers your chances of making smart, calculated bets.
- Example: Instead of picking 2-3 strong bets, you bet on 10 different games, hoping that at least some of them hit.
- Fix: Be selective. Focus on quality over quantity, and only bet on games where you have a strong reason to believe there’s value.
Mistake #5: Not Shopping for the Best Odds
Using just one sportsbook means leaving money on the table. Using various sportsbooks is beneficial since each has its own set of odds, where even minor differences can greatly affect long-term profit margins.
- Example: If a sportsbook offers +150 on an underdog bet, while another offers that line at +170. Only betting with the lower odds means missing out on considerable payouts in the long run.
- Fix: Open multiple sportsbooks and compare odds before every bet.