- In addition to more sports betting odds, there will be faster, live odds from more sportsbooks (along with more in-depth reviews of the best online sportsbooks), charts detailing how NFL OVER/UNDERs have moved during the week, and improved sports database functionality for all sports (including MMA and tennis).
- The Best Illinois Online Sports Betting Apps. There are five sportsbook apps live in the state. Here are our favorite as of February 05, 2021: DraftKings at Casino Queen Sportsbook– $500 risk-free bet.
- We have actually ranked the top sports betting sites in a number of different categories. This makes it easy for you to find a site that is right for any personal preferences or requirements you may have. You can find all our rankings here. Here’s a couple of extra tips related to betting online.
Iowa sports betting has been legal for years. It’s possible to bet for real money on a few sportsbooks. The government authorized Iowa sports betting in August 2019, meaning IA online sports betting is a popular pastime.
The best way to get involved in sports betting is to pick from the best online betting sites. Sports betting online is already a business for a litany of companies, but there are a few that have differentiated themselves as the top user experiences in this growing business.The top sites include the following. Top Betting App. Placing bets in real-time on mobile is the bread and butter of most professional punters. Those two things go very well together and are possible thanks to the best sports betting apps NJ.
The big news in Iowa is that as of January 1st 2021, in-person registration isn't required anymore ! Now, anyone within the Iowa state lines can register, deposit and bet from their homes or anywhere with internet access.
Contents
Best Iowa Sports Betting Sites
Updated on :
| Rank | CO Sportsbook | Welcome Offer | Bet Now |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | PointsBet Visit | Review | 2 Risk Free Bets Up To $2,000 Bonus Code: VIRFBET T&C’s Apply, 21+, Only in CO, IA, IL, IN, MI, NJ | |
| 2. | BetMGM Visit | Review | Risk-Free Bet up to $600 Bonus Code: VIBONUS600 T&C’s Apply, 21+, Only in CO, IA, IN, NJ, NV, WV & TN | |
| 3. | DraftKings Visit | Review | Get a Sign Up Bonus up to $1000 T&C’s Apply, 21+, Only in CO, IN, NJ, PA, WV, IL, IA | |
| 4. | BetRivers Visit | Review | Your Hometown Sportsbook T&C’s Apply, 21+, Only in IA |
As soon as the Supreme Court made its ruling, a number of states started bringing regulations regarding this gambling form. One year has passed when the Hawkeye State officials decided to jump on the sports betting bandwagon. Finally, in mid-August 2019, Iowa sports betting became legal and regulated. But, not everyone can start sportsbook operation in this state. In order to be able to run the business, casinos are required to get a license from the regulatory body. To get such a license, casinos need to pay a one-off fee of $45,000 plus a 6.75% revenue tax.
Several casinos have already been licensed to run Iowa sports betting operations. And that’s something that includes betting in-person, as well as mobile and online betting.
Top Iowa Online Sportsbooks
PointsBet
PointsBet Sportsbook, already an online sportsbook in NJ, was quick to launch in Iowa, thanks to a deal with Catfish Bend Casino. New players can begin the signup process online at PointsBet's website. However, you must complete your registration by visiting Catfish Bend Casino in person. Unlike the recent update for Illinois sports betting, there's been no change in allowing users to fully sign up online.
DraftKings
The DraftKings online sportsbook is an exciting experience for bettors. Sports bettors in IA will now be able to place bets on all major sports in the U.S. DraftKings has partnered with the three Wild Rose Casinos to make the Draftkings online betting app available.
Unibet Iowa
Kindred Group, the parent company for Unibet, has gained access to Iowa through an agreement with Caesars Entertainment. The new deal will give Unibet Iowa market access for 10 years through the Harrah’s Council Bluffs property. No timeline has been given but we can assume the scheduled launch date will be sometime in 2020. Unibet’s world-leading experience in sports betting will give players access to a safe and unique online sports brand.
Betting Laws in Iowa
IA online sports betting has many regulations set by the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission. The Commission prohibits proposition wagers for the NFL draft and in-state collegiate athletes.
Individual athlete and prop wagers are not allowed unless pre-approved by the Gaming Commission. The Commission has a list of approved sports wagers for learning more about Iowa sports betting.
The legal age for fantasy sports betting in the state is 21. A law unique to Iowa online sports betting is that users must physically register for sportsbooks (DraftKings, FanDuel, Q Casino sportsbook, etc.).
The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission can also:
- Approve or deny licenses to operators.
- Create standards for licensing in the racing/gaming industry in IA.
- Determine the length of thoroughbred and quarter horse racing season.
- Determine standards for race meetings and facilities.
- Determine regulations for race purse money.
- Revoke or suspend licenses and collect fines ?of $1,000.
The Commission can grant a license for up to three years for racing activities. Applicants must comply with the regulations and restrictions set by the Commission, and it considers failure to do so or misrepresentation during application an aggravated misdemeanor.
The books and records that operators keep on races and sporting events are public records, according to Chapter 99E of the Iowa Code. Operators are also required to file an annual audit of their expenses and earnings and select a certified public accountant (CPA) in the state of IA, of which the Gaming Commission approves.
For approved in-game wagers, vendors and Iowa sportsbooks can set limits. You can direct further questions about the Iowa State Code and Gaming Commission to: Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission Iowa Racing & Gaming Commission (IRGC) 1300 Des Moines St., Ste. 100 Approved Sports Wagers Des Moines, IA 50309-5508
Iowa Sports Betting Apps
Once you get one of Iowa betting apps on your device, you’ll be able to use the following perks:
- Sign up and log in through your smartphone/tablet
- Collect a welcome bonus given by the sportsbook
- Make quick deposits and cash withdrawals
- Bet on live events
- Access all kinds of information relevant to sports events
- Get in touch with live support
Iowa Sports Betting: Events & Betting Markets
Most forms of Iowa online sports betting are allowed, although there’s one exception. Although you can lay bets on collegiate events, you’re not allowed to make prop bets on in-state college teams. For example, you can’t bet live that a non-offensive player from Iowa State Cyclones will score.
Type of Bets
Bettors generally seek out the Iowa sportsbooks nearby because of the variety of casinos that offer sportsbooks. Iowa sports betting has plenty of options.
Main types of bets on Iowa online sports betting sites and apps include the following:
- Match winner
- Over/under
- First half result
- Handicap betting
- Player betting
- Live betting
Best Iowa Events to Bet On
Although in-game props are not allowed in collegiate events involving teams from this state, you can place bets before games. Iowa online betting legal acts allow you to make pre-match bets on any sporting event involving the following colleges:
Apart from state-related sporting events, you can also bet on country-wide or even global events. Actually, you can bet on literally any major sporting events in Hawkeye State sportsbooks. We’re talking basketball events (NBA), football events (NFL), baseball (MLB) events, among others.
Popular Iowa events include dog and horse racing, football, basketball, baseball, and golf. There are many other sports, motor racing among them, to bet on, but the most popular are the ones previously listed. You can find a variety of popular events in IA online sports betting.
The state fair is usually a large event that creates plenty of opportunities for horse and dog racing. Iowa sportsbooks have to abide by the Gaming Commission’s regulations, but they can participate in local events and races.
Future of Iowa Online Sports Betting
In the near future, Iowans will be able to participate in Iowa sports betting online. With legislation that passed in 2019, further approval of Iowa sports betting apps and operators is imminent. Players should be able to register online and conduct all gambling activities with their mobile devices.
It remains to be seen whether officials will authorize prop bets on in-state competitions and teams/individual players for betting in Iowa. Pending the resumption of pro and collegiate sports leagues to normal schedules, IA online sports betting will continue to grow in 2021.
owa sports betting apps already have a grasp on the state’s gambling market. It’s only a matter of time before they receive further liberties. However, the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission will oversee the operation of the Iowa sportsbooks.
As long as local government officials approve of Iowa sports betting, sporting events and gambling will prosper. Representatives have yet to reveal further legislation regarding betting in Iowa.
Daily Fantasy Sports in Iowa
Many casinos offer IA online sports betting. Although players still must register in person, you can access DFS and other Iowa sports betting online.
Iowa betting sites make it easy to place bets and participate in fantasy leagues. Iowa sportsbooks head up the activity with a slew of markets in Iowa online sports betting.
Recent legislation passed that allows college teams to participate in Fantasy leagues. This will likely cause an increase in interest for DFS sportsbooks in Iowa sports betting. Iowa betting sites should incorporate these teams into their playbook.
| Rank | Daily Fantasy Sports | Welcome Offer | Claim Offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Monkey Knife Fight Visit | Review | 100% Match up to $50 - Code: BONUSMAX T&C’s Apply, 21+ | |
| 2. | DraftKings DFS Visit | Review | Deposit Bonus up to $500 T&C’s Apply, 21+ |
Betting on pro sports teams in Iowa
Iowa sports betting allows bets on pro sports teams in national and international leagues. There are some restrictions for international, such as a $1,000 wagering limit for the Korean Baseball Organization, but many sports are available.
You can bet on the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, and professional golf in IA sports betting. Although not all prop bets are possible, there are many prop bets that are available at Iowa sportsbooks. Iowa sports betting includes international leagues too.
Aside from prop bets, total bets, head-to-head, totals, and player statistics over/unders are legal in IA sports betting. It’s not hard to find an eligible Iowa sportsbook because many casinos in the state have one. For Iowa sports betting to thrive, it has to welcome outside competitors.
NFL betting in Iowa
Prop bets on the NFL draft are not allowed by law for betting in Iowa, but a number of other options exist for Iowa sports betting. The following player props are allowed in IA sports betting:
- Futures/Outrights.
- Totals (Total yards in a game, total points scored, etc).
- Player statistic over/under totals.
- Golf (End of round leaders).
- Place Betting.
- Head-to-Head.
Those betting in Iowa once had their own pro football team, but no more. And now that the state has no NFL team of its own, fans tend to support the Kansas City Chiefs, the Green Bay Packers, or the Minnesota Vikings in Iowa sports betting. Iowa betting sites include wagers for all of these IA sports betting teams.
Green Bay Packers betting
Sports Betting
Aaron Rodgers heads this squad as one of the league’s most talented quarterbacks for betting in Iowa. The team is from Green Bay, Wisconsin.
Minnesota Vikings betting
This longtime rival of the Packers hails from Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play at their home stadium, US Bank Stadium, in Minneapolis.
Kansas City Chiefs betting
The 2020 Super Bowl defending champion trains in St. Joseph, Missouri. Although the team’s stadium and headquarters are in Kansas City, the program decided to move operations to St. Joseph due to support from the local university and their athletics program. Shortly after the team’s relocation for training, they grabbed Super Bowl LIV.
NBA betting in Iowa
Much like NFL or MLB betting, NBA betting in the state has a variety of bet types for betting in Iowa. Furthermore, you can bet on lots of different outcomes and teams in IA sports betting.
Iowa Wolves betting
Part of the NBA G League, the Minnesota Timberwolves own and operate the Wolves. They were once named the Iowa Energy and now play at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.Minnesota Timberwolves betting
Like other states that don’t have many professional teams, Iowa sports betting allows for a variety of in and out of state teams to take the stage.
NHL betting in Iowa
Just as they don’t have a pro football team, the Hawkeye state doesn’t feature an NHL team. They do have an AFL team and several squads in the United States Hockey League (USHL), though. Iowa betting sites make up for the lack of NHL teams by offering options from other states.
Iowa Wild betting
The Wild, an affiliate of the Minnesota Wild, has their headquarters in Des Moines. The team started in 2013, and play at Wells Fargo Arena.
Minnesota Wild betting
They are the big brother of the Iowa Wild. Iowa sports betting apps include them as the main option for NHL fans of IA sports betting. Iowa sports betting focuses mainly on this team as its NHL option.
Des Moines Buccaneers betting
The Buccaneers are part of the USHL and have four Clark Cups. They also have four Anderson Cups, which makes them a formidable opponent on the ice and in IA sports betting.
Cedar Rapids RoughRiders betting
The RoughRiders hold three Anderson Cups and one Clark Cup. The team started in 1983 and is currently on hiatus.
Dubuque Fighting Saints betting
The Fighting Saints hold two Clark Cups and three Conference Championships. They play at the Mystique Community Ice Center.
Waterloo Black Hawks betting
The Black Hawk’s head coach is P.K. O’Handley, who heads the team at Young Arena in Waterloo. The team has three Anderson Cups and one Clark Cup under their belts.
North Iowa Bulls betting
The Bulls are part of the North American 3 Hockey League. They play home games at the Mason City Multipurpose Arena.
MLB betting in Iowa
If you’re into IA online sports betting, it’s likely that you’re also familiar with the major sports leagues in the US. The MLB provides players with a chance to diversify their portfolio and enjoy Iowa sports betting. You can hit home runs with Salvador Peréz, Alex Gordon, and Chris Getz.
owa sports betting apps offer a variety of players from many leagues. You’ll have to analyze which squads can help you the most with your DFS wins in Iowa sports betting.
Best Sports Betting Podcast
Many betting sites post information about IA sports betting players and teams, so you can decide who will bring in more points in Iowa online sports betting.
If you’re searching for a way to get familiar with Iowa sports betting, the MLB provides plenty of options. Iowans generally root for the Royals, Cubs, Twins, Cardinals, and other teams that are nearby.
Kansas City Royals betting
The Royals dominate sporting events in their region. Along with the Chiefs, their NFL counterpart, they populate Iowa sports betting apps due to the state’s lack of pro teams.
Chicago Cubs betting
This popular MLB team has three World Series Championships. Iowa sports betting apps wouldn’t even think to leave them out.
Other Iowa teams to bet on
When searching for teams at Iowa betting sites, you’ll find several categories. From there, you can choose teams from all of the major leagues and many smaller or junior leagues in Iowa sports betting too.
In basketball, you can search for players in the NCAA Division I and II, and college football will include the Big Ten and Big Twelve. Betting in Iowa can be competitive.
You’ll find the Iowa Wolves in the NBA G League and the Iowa Cornets in the WBL. In hockey, you’ll find the Cedar Rapid RoughRiders and the Dubuque Fighting Saints. In the International Fight League (IFL), you can gamble on the Quad City Silverbacks.
Iowa NCAA Football Betting
IA online sports betting has to include a large portfolio for football. It’s one of the state’s strongest college sports. That’s why Iowa betting sites strive to highlight their college football sections.
The schools in this state have some of the longest and proudest histories in college sports. They've produced some high caliber athletes that went on to compete in the major leagues.
The state’s college football team, the Hawkeyes, is well-known, and has competed in the West division of the Big Ten Conference since 1900. The team accounts for a large part of the football market in Iowa sports betting.
As the Hawkeye state, Iowa dominates in college football. People come from all around the state to see the Hawkeyes and Cyclones compete. The Iowa Wolves are another attraction for sports lovers and those who follow Iowa online sports betting.
Iowa Hawkeyes
This Big Ten West giant brings many talented players to the field. Among the players, this team has sent to the NFL are Jeff Drost, Brian Bulaga, Adrian Clayborn, Mike Daniels, and Carl Davis.
The Hawkeyes battle at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, where they've competed against some of the toughest teams in the nation. The Hawkeyes bowl game record is 17-15-1.
Iowa State Cyclones
The Cyclones are part of the Big 12 conference, and their head coach is Matt Campbell. The Cyclones play at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames.
Iowa NCAA Basketball Betting
The best way to bet on state basketball is through fantasy sports. Essentially all fantasy sports are legal in Iowa sports betting. Therefore, it’s easy to place bets on your favorite teams at Iowa sportsbooks.
If you’re a fan of college sports, this is a good state to be in. There are many talented players in Iowa online sports betting.
The ever-present Hawkeyes and Cyclones are two of the state’s biggest competitors in this sport. If you want to place bets on college basketball, then you can bet on the outcomes of the games, but you won’t be able to place props on your favorite players.
Iowa sportsbooks make it easy to place bets and follow along in real-time. You can check the scores of games and other team stats like win/loss records, all from Iowa sports betting apps.
Iowa Hawkeyes
The Hawkeyes prevailed this time (2019-20 season) and beat the Cyclones in a thrilling match, 68-84. For those who want to add some of college basketball’s best athletes to their squad, this is a team to keep an eye on.
Iowa Cyclones
The rivalry between the Hawkeyes and the Cyclones has fueled many exciting games. Top players compete at a high level to provide fans with an exhilarating Iowa sports betting experience.
In 2019-20, the Cyclones had a tough year, pulling out a record of 12-20 (win/loss). No matter, the Cyclones are sure to improve over the coming years and become a large part of Iowa online sports betting.
Iowa Online Betting FAQ
Here are a couple of questions and answers that should make everything about Iowa betting legal status crystal clear.
Is sports betting legal in Iowa?
As of summer 2019, it is! However, it’s possible to bet only at licensed establishments within the state. Players are also allowed to make online/mobile bets while on the premises of those casinos. And those who want to bet from home, first need to get approved by the sportsbook operator in person.
Who can place a sports bet in Iowa?
Anyone who is older than 21 is allowed to bet in this state and in-person registration isn't necessary anymore.
Is mobile betting available in Iowa?
Since August 2019, it’s possible to bet via apps of licensed sportsbooks/casinos. Moreover, to get to use Iowa betting apps, you don't need to confirm your age in person in a licensed establishment anymore.
Iowa Casinos
Besides Iowa sports betting, there are lots of options for gambling. Many casinos and venues exist in IA for bettors and enthusiasts alike. Here are some certified venues in the state:
- Rhythm City Casino.
- Riverside Casino and Golf Resort.
- Wild Rose - Clinton.
- Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino.
- Q Casino.
- Wild Rose - Emmetsburg.
- Isle Casino Hotel Waterloo.
- Lakeside Casino.
- Casino Queen - Marquette.
- Harrah's Council Bluffs Casino & Hotel.
- Wild Rose - Jefferson.
- Horseshoe Casino - Council Bluffs.
- Isle of Capri - Bettendorf.
- Diamond Jo - Worth.
- Ameristar II.
- Catfish Bend Casino.
- Diamond Jo - Dubuque.
- Grand Falls Casino Resort.
- Hard Rock Casino.
Many of these casinos partner with DraftKings and FanDuel to provide top sportsbooks for Iowa online sports betting.
Final Thoughts on Betting in Iowa
Iowa sports betting has been steadily increasing and is sure to thrive this year.
Other states where you can place an online sports bet :
Colorado | Illinois | Indiana | Michigan | Nevada | New Jersey | Pennsylvania | Tennessee | Virginia | West Virginia
Best Sports Betting Site
“I’ve got a system to beat the books on (insert any sport).” We’ve all probably heard a friend say this or overheard someone talking about their fool-proof system in a bar or sportsbook. What were they talking about? Do they actually have a way to beat the sportsbook? What’s a sports betting system?
All of these are great questions that we’re going to dive into today. In this guide, we’re going to walk you through the basics of what a sports betting system is, why you might want to look into using one, and how you can go about developing your own system. Whether you’ve never heard of sports betting systems before or you’re looking to expand your existing base of knowledge, we’ve got you covered.
The Basics of a Sports Betting System – What Is It?
A sports betting system is a collection of repeated practices or rules that a sports bettor will do or use in order to make winning sports betting picks. That was a mouthful. Let’s look at a few simplified examples to make this clearer.
If you decide that you are going to bet all NFL home underdogs when the spread is greater than 7 points, you’re using a sports betting system. If you decide that you’re going to bet all state champion wrestlers during their UFC debut, you’re using a sports betting system. If you choose to bet any NFL home team that is favored by three to seven points and is coming off of two straight road wins against opponents that have a home record above .500 only if their opponent has a losing road record on the season, you are using a sports betting system.
Basically, any set of parameters that you come up with that helps you to pick winners is a sports betting system. The system can be simple like the first two examples, or it can be much more complex like the third example we gave. Believe it or not, sports betting systems can get even more complex than this by using a lot of complex formulas and math to try and calculate value and winners.
Sports betting systems can be made up of as many or as few parameters as the creator sees fit. Additionally, there is no limit to what these parameters can be. They can include things like past wins/losses, team stats, matchup statistics, weather conditions, playoff implications, individual player stats, game location, or literally anything that the creator deems as having an effect on the outcome of the game.
Sports betting systems can be a check-off system or a mathematical formula that produces a desired line.
Additionally, the amount that a bettor bets on a game could also be dependent on their system. If the game comes in as a big opportunity, the system might call for a bigger bet, whereas a lesser opportunity might call for a smaller bet.
Origin and Creation – Where Do Sports Betting Systems Come From?
The next logical question to ask is where these sports betting systems come from. Well, they are created either by professional sports bettors or by sports bettors like yourself. You’re not going to find these systems posted online somewhere. Why? Well, the value of the system goes away if everyone is jumping on the bandwagon every time there is an opportunity. All of the lines will instantly correct, and the opportunity will go away.
For this reason, anyone who comes up with a winning system will usually keep that system to themselves. Sometimes they will sell their picks (or give them away for free on rare occasions), but they will never let you see their system. Think of it like KFC. They are happy to sell you their chicken, but they aren’t going to give you access to the Colonel’s secret recipe.
As you might guess, coming up with a winning system is not easy. If it were easy, there would be no value in sports betting because everyone would be crushing the books until all the good opportunities dried up. It would be near impossible to get your hands on any value unless you were the quickest bettor in the land. The sportsbooks would also put out perfect lines because their system would be flawless.
You’ll get a much better idea of how they are created when we talk about building your own sports betting system in the section below.
The Benefits of a Sports Betting System – Why Use Them?
Before we talk about how to build your own sports betting system, you probably want to know why you would invest your time into creating one. Is it right for you? Is there a strong enough benefit there to make it worth your while? To answer these questions and more, let’s take a look at some of the benefits of using a sports betting system to make your picks and bets.
Find a Winner, and You’ll Print Money
If you’re good enough to develop a winning sports betting strategy, you’re going to have a money printer. The point of a sports betting system is that it has checks and balances that make it profitable under any condition. This means that once you are able to develop a winning strategy, you can start pressing your bets and winning big.
This should be the first and the last benefit on this list. When you develop a winning sports betting strategy, you have a sure-fire way to continually make money betting on sports. Isn’t that everyone’s end goal?
Removes Emotion from the Equation
When your system has parameters rooted in statistics, it makes it hard for emotion to come into play. The only way that emotion can creep in is if you are undisciplined and refuse to stick to your system. If you’ve got self-discipline problems, though, you probably shouldn’t be anywhere near a sportsbook until you get that under control.
One of the biggest reasons that new and even experienced sports bettors fall is that they let the media, others’ emotional opinions, and their own emotional responses creep in and mess up their judgment. When you have a sports betting system that you are confident in, this doesn’t happen.
Forces Immersion into Stats
As you’ll see in the coming section, sports betting systems are heavily reliant on statistics. Instead of using your gut to make picks, you’re using a system that has hard and fast parameters in place. In order to create that system, it will force you to dig into the stats of the sports you are looking to bet.
This will inevitably make you a much more educated sports bettor. It will help you to find trends, patterns, and other factors that you might not be aware of. Employ these findings in your betting system, and you’re going to have a lot more success. You see, “feel” bettors have a tendency to avoid taking the time to look at stats. Whether this is out of ignorance of their availability, arrogance, or laziness, we don’t know. Regardless of the cause, it’s not a smart way to place a sports bet.
The more informed and knowledgeable you are about the sport you are betting, the better picks you’re going to make, and the better your sports betting system will be. Even if you don’t develop a system, just the act of trying to create one will make you a much higher-level sports bettor, which will most likely reflect in your results.
Gives Structure to Your Betting
Ever feel completely lost when you’re sports betting? Ever feel like you’re just throwing darts at the wall, or you’re just not sure where to start every week? Sports betting systems help to alleviate this problem by giving your betting structure. When you have a winning system or at least a system that you are testing, you have a jumping-off point every week. You know exactly what sport to start with, which games to look at, and what you’re looking for.
Even if you aren’t leaning heavily on your sports betting system, it still gets you into the stats and helps you to get your week of research started properly. Structure is not necessary to win at sports betting, but it’s something that the most successful bettors have in common.
Developing Your Own Sports Betting System – How Do I Get Involved?
Now that we’ve covered what a sports betting system is, where they come from, and the benefits of developing one, we want to talk about some functional steps that you can take to start developing your own sports betting system. As we’ve mentioned, sports betting systems come in all shapes and sizes, and the data points that you choose to use could be anything and everything.
For that reason, the tips and steps below will be somewhat general but should help to push you in the right direction. Ultimately, it’s going to be up to you to dig through the stats and look for the important factors and trends that you think are important to picking winners.
Decide What Sport You Want to Bet On
The logical first step to developing an effective sports betting system is deciding which sport you want to bet on. We recommend that when you’re first getting started, you stick to one sport unless you have a lot of time to dedicate to this process. Doing this the right way will require time and effort, and you don’t want to be spreading yourself too thin by jumping on multiple sports.
We recommend choosing the sport you have the most knowledge in. While this might seem like common sense, you’d be surprised at how many people choose the sport they want to be good in or whatever sport happens to be in season. If you’re just looking for entertainment, choose any sport you want. If you’re looking for profit, start with the sport you are the best at. Once you are sufficiently crushing it there, you can look to expand your horizons if you choose to do so at that time.
Begin Researching Stats and Factors You Think Are Important
Your first and last stop when creating your sports betting system should be statistics. Start by making a list of things that you think are important when selecting the winner of a game. You can even start assessing how important you think that each of these stats is. In our Understanding Sports Betting Value article (which you NEED to read if you’re building a mathematical sports betting system), you’ll see that you can even assign percentages of importance to each factor that you come up with. You can then mathematically deduce a team’s likelihood of winning a game. Seriously, please read that guide from start to finish with extra emphasis on the “Calculating Predicted Actual Probabilities” section. You will not be disappointed.
When selecting stats to use, you need to make sure of a few things.
Also, think outside the box. Look for statistics that you think are important regardless of what other people might think. Don’t try and force something, but it’s okay to expand your horizons and dig deep for stats that build a winning system.
Create a Checklist or a Formula
As you start to find the important criteria, you’ll want to start plugging them into a checklist or a formula. If it’s a checklist, you’ll want to focus on which criteria work together and which do not. You may find that you come up with a few different checklists that you want to try. If this is the case, that’s okay. When we talk about testing and tracking, you’ll be able to flush out which ones work and which ones do not.
If you’re building a mathematical formula, begin assigning the importance of each (covered in the article referenced in the section above). It’s okay if you are not sure on a percentage and want to make a few different formulas to test. Again, we will talk about how to deal with this during the testing phase below.
Find Games That Meet Your Criteria and Start Testing
Once you have your preliminary checklist(s) and formula(s) ready to go, it’s time to find games that register as winners and begin seeing if your system is any good. Now, there are two ways that you can go about this. Neither is right or wrong; they just depend on your personal preference.
You can create a spreadsheet and track your “bets” without actually making bets. This is a great idea if you are able to differentiate between a bet you would really make and a bet that you might not actually pull the trigger on. Basically, it’s a lot easier to write in a spreadsheet that you would make a bet when you don’t really have to make it.
Utilizing the spreadsheet method ensures that you won’t lose any money if your system is not a winner. It also allows you to test out multiple systems at once without risking a lot of money. The drawback is that if your system is a winner, you won’t have made any money off of it. We’ve also heard from a lot of people that love to sports bet that it’s just not as fun, either. While this is about making a profit and not about fun, we are human, and we get this.
This is why we like to offer up the second method of testing that you can try. You can bet your system with very small bets. This will force you to see if you have any issues with following your system when money is on the line, give you a chance to make money if your system is good, and give you some entertainment value to keep you from going crazy.
If you have multiple systems but still want some action, we recommend a hybrid of the two. Pick a system that is your main system and make the small bets on that system. With your other systems, just “make your bets” on your spreadsheet and track and test them that way.
Track Your Results Closely
The most important step of this process is tracking your results. Yes, you need to be tracking which bets you win and which you lose, but you also need to be tracking a lot more. You need to be tracking how the games go and what aspects of your formula might need to be changed. This can be tricky, but it’s the most important step of the process.
If your system is not working, you need to be able to identify why and what needs to be changed. Even if your system is winning, you’re going to want to track what is working and what isn’t to try and make your system better. Constantly building on your system until it is perfect is the name of the game.
Due to the fact that you can’t figure out the validity of your system overnight, you’ll want to take heed of the advice we gave you in our last step. Don’t blow your whole bankroll on a system that hasn’t been proven yet. That doesn’t mean you can’t have a little fun, though.
Tweak Your System and Continue Developing
As we alluded to in the prior tip, you’re going to want to take your results and use them to continue developing your sports betting system. Don’t expect to come right out of the gates with a winner. If you do, awesome! But being realistic, it’s going to take quite a bit of time and effort to get to a winning sports betting system.
Constantly evaluate each statistical data point that you’re using and make sure that it’s working for you and not hurting your system. If you find things that aren’t working, toss them out and either replace them with a more fitting data point or leave them out completely. There’s really no reason to completely scrap your system and start over unless it’s all a mess. Small changes and tweaks are the name of the game here.
Also, make sure that you’re patient with tracking your results and making changes. Just as it’s not smart to draw initial conclusions without a decent sample size, the same is true when you make changes. Just because you’ve tested your initial system on 100 games doesn’t mean you get to say your sample size is 101 games on the next game after some changes. When you make changes to your system, your sample size resets.
Press When you Find a Winning System
When you finally do stumble on a winning sports betting system, it’s time to scream hallelujah and start making some money! Stick to your system and start hammering the books. Remember, even the best of sports betting systems will have ups and downs, so make sure you’re practicing good bankroll management.
Additionally, make sure that you’re still tracking your results. Your work is not done once you find a winning system. You need to continue making sure that the system is a winner and keep looking for ways to improve it.
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Keep up, or you risk seeing your moneymaker going away.
The Wrap-Up
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Sports betting systems are a great way to add structure to your sports betting and provide a fantastic, emotion-free way of crushing the books. Developing your own system definitely has its benefits, but it will require a lot of hard work, research, and some expertise. If you’re ready to take your sports betting to the next level, look into developing a sports betting system.