Rules to stay disciplined at Soccer Betting

It is not easy to win money systematically from betting. Less than 5% of gamblers are successful at it. The number one pitfall for most punters is lack of discipline. The following rules will make your betting more profitable and help turn you into a consistent winner.

1. Choose a staking plan. Set aside a sum of money to use for your wagering, and nothing else. This should be an sum you can afford to lose. You ought risk between 1% and 5% of your bankroll on each bet, with most bets being in the 1-2% range. Poor money management can bankrupt even the most talented sports bettors.

2. Keep detailed records of all your bets. All pro gamblers do this. By recording every single one of your bets, you can identify patterns. Isolate types of bets, leagues or teams you consistently win or lose money on. You are able to then refine your strategies and become more successful. Record keeping as well keeps you disciplined and discourages you from placing frivolous "fun" bets, which unavoidably lose.

3. Never force a bet. Only bet when you have an edge over the bookmaker. Always be patient, even if that means letting several days go by without betting. Would you rather win a wager on an obscure South American league match or lose one on the Champions League final?

4. Avoid multiples and accumulators (parlays). It's fun to string five or six bets together in a combo for a juicy payout. But you will never become a successful punter betting that way. Follow singles for the big majority of your bets. As you become more comfortable, there are some occasions where it makes sense to combine 2 bets in a double, but that's the exception, not the rule.

5. Narrow in two or three leagues only. You can not be an expert in every league even if you had all the time in the world. It just isn't humanly possible. So stick with what you know, and learn that league inside out. Money is money, it doesn't matter whether you win it betting on Greek football or the Scottish 3rd division.

6. Study betting odds movements. Keep an eye on the betting market and look for big shifts in odds on a particular football match. Try and determine out why the betting odds might have changed. Is a key player injured? Is it a big-name team that's popular with punters? If you can't explain why the odds moved, you may be better off skipping a particular match.

7. Do not get emotionally involved. If you have a favourite team, don't blindly back them every weekend because you hope they will win. Use your knowledge of a particular team to your advantage and know when to bet against them.

8. Do not second guess yourself. Trust your own skills and instincts when analysing a game. Whenever you list and rank all the reasons for betting on a certain match, the first one that comes to mind is generally the most important. Do not be scared to pull the trigger on a bet if a secondary factor alters, like a slight turn in the weather or a peripheral player getting injured.

If you follow these rules tight, you are on your way to becoming a serious and successful soccer punter. Stay disciplined, don't stray from the rules and you'll find that soccer betting is more fun when you win money from it!