1) entertainment/hobby
2) perceived competition against the book
re: 2, i'm not sure if there is REAL intellectual competition between the gambler and book since the book's take largely depends on how the bets are distributed on each side. given my lack of familiarity with bookmaking operations, do any of us really "beat the book" versus beating each other? in my view the book is like a market maker but on occasion he has to take a side or wants to take a side.
22% of respondents do this as a profession...
that's pretty cool.
2) perceived competition against the book
re: 2, i'm not sure if there is REAL intellectual competition between the gambler and book since the book's take largely depends on how the bets are distributed on each side. given my lack of familiarity with bookmaking operations, do any of us really "beat the book" versus beating each other? in my view the book is like a market maker but on occasion he has to take a side or wants to take a side.
22% of respondents do this as a profession...
There is a certain addiction that takes place in sports wagering. At one time i would have to bet a game to enjoy watching it. That sucked. Took all enjoyment out of the game itself. I wasnt happy that way.
No more though. I bet now to try and make money. I am getting the passion back in regards to betting. For a few months i took some time away and just read the forums.
It feels good to only wager games that i have a good feel for & not just to have action.
No more though. I bet now to try and make money. I am getting the passion back in regards to betting. For a few months i took some time away and just read the forums.
It feels good to only wager games that i have a good feel for & not just to have action.
JJ- thanks for the agreement
General- I think it depends on how much you're wagering. If you want to make money, you need to be playing bigger sums. I play smaller amounts because my thrill comes from the action itself, not trying to win money. I have some friends who get paid $300 a week and wager $100 per game, trying to "get rich quick". Needless to say, they're all in the hole big time. I'd rather have $5 on a game and have the action. The betting in itself makes the games more compelling to watch, and the challenge of handicapping is more fun than any other hobby I can think of. Maybe if I get real sharp I will think about doing this to make money. Until then, I'm happy playing it small and just trying to beat the line.
General- I think it depends on how much you're wagering. If you want to make money, you need to be playing bigger sums. I play smaller amounts because my thrill comes from the action itself, not trying to win money. I have some friends who get paid $300 a week and wager $100 per game, trying to "get rich quick". Needless to say, they're all in the hole big time. I'd rather have $5 on a game and have the action. The betting in itself makes the games more compelling to watch, and the challenge of handicapping is more fun than any other hobby I can think of. Maybe if I get real sharp I will think about doing this to make money. Until then, I'm happy playing it small and just trying to beat the line.
