Sports Betting...A Viable Investment
by Al Price of Madwinners.com - 7/29/2007

Years ago, When I would reveal to someone that I was a professional sports handicapper, I'd often get strange looks. Some were perplexed and simply didn't know what a sports handicapper does, while others were repulsed and instinctively lumped me into the same category as bookie or porn star. Fortunately times are changing. With the proliferation of online sports and poker wagering many folks now see sports wagering as a viable investment strategy and recognize the benefits of hiring a sports handicapper to help them maximize their profits. And while I am not looking forward to career day at my son's elementary school, at least I can admit to my mother-in-law that I'm not a greeting card salesman.

So whether you're completely new to the exciting and potentially profitable world of sports wagering or a seasoned veteran who needs help and want to learn how to minimize your risk, maximize your gains and keep your wife or spouse from leaving you I offer you the following advice.

ESTABLISH A BANKROLL
Nothing could be more important than this! Most of you have heard this before but very few people actually do it. I've read that less than 5% of sports bettors establish a bankroll for the season. THIS IS AN ABSOLUTE MUST! Only use funds that you have allocated for investment purposes. Diversification is key. I would consider as a reasonable bankroll to be not more than 10% of the money you plan on investing in a year. The other 90% should be spread out and put into traditional invetment instruments such as stocks, bonds, commodities, real estate, etc. Even with the most conservative of approaches and using the guidance of the top handicappers in the world (Madwinners of course!) sports betting is riskier than buying Class A bonds and most mutual funds. The upside is that the potential ROI (return of investment) can far exceed most other investments. I have had football seasons where I increased my starting bankroll by greater than a thousand percent!

SET REALISTIC GOALS
If your bankroll is $500 for the season be satisfied with a profit of $4000. If you expect to turn $500 into $40,000 you are setting yourself up for a huge disappointment. In an average baseball season clients with a starting bankroll of $500 have made a profit of $4000. To the novice player that may seem low. The reality is that you have made an 800% ROI in 6 months. Put your money into the average mutual fund and your $500 will be worth $515. And never forget that it's not how you do in any given week rather it's your total profit for the season that counts. A long term approach to sports wagering is vital to your success.

DEVISE A MONEY MANAGEMENT PLAN
Take personal inventory and decide how much risk you are comfortable with. Some players will be okay with playing as much as 10% of their bankroll on a game while others will not be able to stomach a loss of that proportion. If you lean more to the conservative side perhaps playing no more than 5% of your bankroll is the way to go. Regardless of how agressive you want to be base your decision of how much you are going to wager on a particular game on a sound strategy. Never let your emotions or level of sobriety dictate how much you bet!

GET THE BEST INFORMATION POSSIBLE
I've been told by countless players over the years that they prefer picking games on their own to paying a professional handicapper for advice because they find it "fun". Hey I love fun. Life SHOULD be fun. It's okay to pick games on your own but just understand that their are professional cappers out there who devote their lives to picking winners. A good handicapping service will leave no stone unturned. Using Madwinners as an example I can tell you that we perform hundreds of hours of analysis collectively on each play we release and go to great lengths to get the most updated information regarding injuries, lineup changes, suspensions etc. As a result of our dedication we have outperformed the average player by as much as 20% in football through the years. So if you do decide to go it alone to have some fun, play small and be statisfied if you break even or just lose a little. For most players doing it on their own that is the most they can expect.

These are just a few strategies to consider. As a professional gambler and 'capper I've made every mistake you can make but have learned from those mistakes and have turned sports wagering into a true science. I'm passionate about making money betting on sports and would love to answer any of your questions. Feel free to call Madwinners anytime and ask for me.

The Madcappers are always available to answer your questions regarding anything related to sports betting. Even if you are not yet enrolled in our Personalcapper service we invite you to call us at 800-511-3003 with any questions. Or email us madcappers@madwinners.com