I have complied a list, in no particular order, of 10 common mistakes from most amateur gamblers.

1.  Parlays

Parlays are “sucker” bets.  You want to increase profits, stop playing parlays.  They wash your bankroll down the drain.  Chances of hitting a parlay decrease every time you add a team to your bet slip.  The odds can be up to 10 cent worse on a parlay (depending on the book) which gives every edge to the house.  Parlays do not increase bank rolls over the long run.  I always see people play two team parlays with both teams being juiced to the nine.  Upsets happen every day and if this was a profitable play day in and day out then ask the question, why do sportbooks offer it still?

2.  Not doing your homework

Can’t stress this enough just like your parents tell you when you were a kid.  “If you don’t do your homework you won’t get better grades”  Same thing applies to sports if you don’t do your homework you won’t increase your bankroll.  Don’t get distracted from guys on twitter, do your own breakdown’s of each game.  If you don’t have time because in today’s world time is sometimes hard to come by, simply put, don’t bet that day.

3.  Handicap twice, bet once

You’ve all heard the saying measure twice, cut once.  Same applies to handicapping, make sure you are making the right bet before you hand over the cash or click “place bet” online, simple but a common mistake.

4.  Chasing

Losing streaks are inevitable in this business and a common mistake from most amateur’s is to increase their bet size after each lose.  This is a big no-no in handicapping and you should actually do the very opposite, decrease your bet size and grind through the rough patch.

5.  Over betting

Do not risk your mortgage, rent or kids tuition on one game.  You have probably heard it before, but never hurts to repeat it because it happens all the time.  Do not bet what you can’t afford to lose, period.

6.  Don’t bet with your heart, bet with your head

Common mistake with young bettors is betting on their favorite team and not realizing it could be a horrible spot for that team that game that day.  In football don’t just bet on a team that your starting fantasy QB is on or who you have on your fan duel team that day.  Even if your match up is against your buddy who is playing the starting QB you want to place a wager on, think past that fantasy game and think about increasing your bankroll.

7.  Media influence

DO NOT let the media influence your decision on who you think should win/cover.  These “experts” are far from “experts” in the media and if you take them seriously you will be in big trouble on game day.  Don’t just bet a game because it’s on television.  A winner is a winner and if it comes from a game on espn 16 so be it, don’t just bet a game because it’s the “game of the week”.

8.  Money management

Have a plan when you start out and stick to it.  Set up your bankroll and control your unit sizes.  Wagering sizes should be 2-5% of your bankroll not 50%-75% of it.  Long term success will come with having a plan and controlling your unit sizes.  This leads nicely to number 9

9.  It’s a marathon not a sprint

You have probably heard this before, but sportsbetting is not a sprint it’s a marathon.  Most amateurs want to double up then double up again and again, but really that will get you broke so fast.  Long term success comes with understanding the lines and money management.

10.  Not shopping around

I can’t stress this enough to be successful in this business, shop.  Do not use just one sportsbook.  You don’t shop at just one grocery store.  So why just shop at one sportsbook?  Just like grocery shopping each store has different prices, same as online sportsbooks.  To have long term success you need to get the better numbers and sometimes there can be big difference’s in those numbers elsewhere.  Most sportsbook offer sign up bonuses which can be a bankroll booster.  Getting that better number can make a big difference on your bottom line at the end of the year and is key to long term success.

These are just 10 common mistakes made from the amateur sports bettor and just correcting these can lead you to larger profits and long term success for years to come, Good Luck!!