Square tactics

BigGamesOnly · Aug 23, 2003

(OK, so the title is a play on words on the phrase Scare Tactics.)

I recently bet on the Braves to win the first game against the Giants and lost. I then thought about doubling my bet because Atlanta had been doing well after losses. Then I remembered that Atlanta had lost 3 in a row a couple weeks earlier.

My point is that doubling one's bet after a loss is not always a wise thing to do. In fact, I've heard it is what squares do when betting. I've also heard squares bet more when losing to make up for losses (it's called "chasing" right?).

Does anyone have any good advice of things to avoid when betting? Any help would be appreciated.

[This message was edited by BigGamesOnly on August 23, 2003 at 03:43 PM.]

Gridster · Aug 23, 2003

I think chasing used to occur a lot more often when bettors were stuck with the local books. You had to pay off or collect on a certain day of the week, and if you found yourself way down there was a great temptation to try and erase the debt with one big play. Not a good thing to try because you're limiting your natural advantage to pick your own spot.

With the account based offshores you don't have to scramble to avoid making a payoff. Its much more convenient than having a relationship with a bag man. Just make sure its a reputable operation, and avoid putting your post up on your credit card. Use a money order or wire in the cash, otherwise the interest will eat into your winnings.

mhk · Aug 24, 2003

Flat unit bet and ride out the lows.. imo..

tsm123 · Aug 24, 2003

Bet the absolute minimum until you have some idea of what you're doing. You can lose a whole lot of money very quickly in this racket if you're not careful.

Learn to handicap one sport and one sport only.

Learning to handicap is not like learning to ride a bicycle.

Learning to handicap is very, very, very, very difficult.

You MUST understand what you're looking for and why.

It is a very difficult puzzle to piece together.

Patience, discipline and restraint are your best allies.

BigGamesOnly · Aug 29, 2003

Thanks for all the input guys.

dimeplayersonly · Aug 29, 2003

it takes alot of discipline for a person NOT to chase losses or double up when losing............go to a casino and witness it firsthand...

the safest rule of thumb is to always decrease your wagers when your on a losing streak...and if your betting multiple games cut back on that also..

and let me tell you this, the majority of squares that chase losses will also be the same people that will give all of their winnings back in the blink of an eye...(usually monday nite foots) in this case its greed that prevents them from collecting...

ProPlaya · Aug 30, 2003

Hey BGO,

There is one rule that I live by, "You don't have to bet every game nor every day". When I go on a losing streak sometimes I take a break for few days to let my mind settle. There will be ruff times where you feel like anything you touch turns sour. You may think you have the lock of the week and your side has 5 Turnovers and you lose. For me if there is something that is an off line in my eyes and I liked that side anyway, I will put double, triple or maybe even four times my normal betif their is tons of value. For example New York Jets under 9.5 games. That week Chad got hurt I was in a little slump 0-3 and I could have dumped a very large sum on a game that I thought was 50-50 or put down 10 times that amount on the under which to me is 85% without Chad for 12 weeks and the tuffest schedule in the AFC. To me I will win what I lost that week and a whole lot more. Bet large only when the value is large, don't bet every game nor everyday. You can bet a team until you are blue in the face and figure one day they will win, if the team goes on a 5 game losing streak and you have doubled up every game, you could find your bankroll at 0 sooner than later.

Since posting @ Rx 25-14 (.641%)

selman3 · Sep 8, 2003

I couldn't agree more

TheGeneral+ · Sep 10, 2003

Doubling up is bad in bases because of the variance in price IMO.

constant 107-110 is easier IMO if you have a very valid system.

Pretending · Sep 11, 2003

Don't ever make an emotional bet, don't ever make a compulsive bet, don't ever be too interested in a bet. If you're old and you're still in this biz and you've somehow survived, you'll agree that the part of your mind that gets overly interested in a wager is the part of you that cannot be allowed to move into the front seat.<br>

In fact, don't ever bet !