What is the #1 reason most gamblers don't win?

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After talking to a few people in different forums I am starting to see almost nobody wins at this. The winners probably make up less than 5% of the people.

In your opinion what is the #1 reason most people don't come out winning?
 

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i see people play way too many games,i think you should find 1 or 2 games you really like and just play more money on them,i know i made that mistake when i was a full time player,it just don't work out,..jmo
 

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Lack of discipline is #1

-110 is number two

Betting "stupid" parlays or teasers #3

i would agree but I think your number 2 is really number 1. Even with good discipline, money mgmt, etc...it's very tough to beat the book over the long haul because you have to win 52.5 percent (or whatever) of your plays and he only needs 47.5 percent to win. Throw in parlays and chasing and that's why there are billion dollar casinos in Vegas
 

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Mainly because they bet favorites.

I'd have to add: most people do not understand that wagering is a game of numbers, not teams or matchups. Take buying points for example. It is one of the most idiotic things you can do - either on or off a "key number" or a teaser. It adds risk and provides little value. Specifically, in the NFL there have been 6 or 7 games total in the last 4 weeks (60 games) where the spread mattered. Yet people buy points. It is moronic.

This is a good article that touches on betting underdogs.

http://pregame.com/pregame-forums/f/9/p/733940/1920306.aspx
 

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Yes, the juice makes it tough. And people not understanding that you should minimize the juice is a very, very large factor in why many will lose.

For example, why would you have bet Seattle -4.5 last night? It makes no sense. Bet it a -5 for (-104 or -106) if you can do so.
 

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pretty much everyone in this thread is wrong

the #1 reason most players don't win is because the line on major american professional sports games is efficient as hell thus making winning at -110 extremely difficult. I can't believe no one has said this...

money management, picking favs too much, etc...Even if the people who do those things didn't they would still lose 99% of the time, just at a slower rate
 
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The same reason why there are no locks on the doors on Vegas Casinos and those around the World....as soon as you enter, they got you....
 

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pretty much everyone in this thread is wrong

the #1 reason most players don't win is because the line on major american professional sports games is efficient as hell thus making winning at -110 extremely difficult. I can't believe no one has said this...

money management, picking favs too much, etc...Even if the people who do those things didn't they would still lose 99% of the time, just at a slower rate

that's exactly what i said...
 
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I disagree with all of you guys.

The #1 reason people don't win is because they don't know how to handicap.

The juice can be selectively beaten.

And money management only becomes important if one knows how to pick winners and has the discipline to wait for the spots where you get the edge over the juice.

People THINK they know how to handicap when in fact they do not.
 

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Truth is, Most people can't pick enough winners to successfully beat the -110...and the others that do pick winners and win have horrible money management and will blow the winning money they won, then hit a bad stretch and chase the loses and lose more. Rinse and Repeat
 

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pretty much everyone in this thread is wrong

the #1 reason most players don't win is because the line on major american professional sports games is efficient as hell thus making winning at -110 extremely difficult. I can't believe no one has said this...

money management, picking favs too much, etc...Even if the people who do those things didn't they would still lose 99% of the time, just at a slower rate

well
you can probably argue semantics all day
i think it's harder to pick 53%+ consistent winners, and thus, if the average chump wants to win, he has a better chance with varying bet sizes. you have to be smart to consistently pick winners. you don't have to be as smart to get in the black. that's just how i see it.

i don't think the typical gambler goes in with the grind it out, flat bet mentality
i think the typical loser chases his bets, because of what i already explained, and thus that is why money management is what produces losers.

you can easily argue your side, and just say because it is very difficult to beat the line at 53%+, that would support your argument. but my argument is that the typical gambler doesn't go in with the mentality of even attempting to hit that rate over a long run. they don't even try to grind. they lose, and they lose big for other reasons.
 

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well
you can probably argue semantics all day
i think it's harder to pick 53%+ consistent winners, and thus, if the average chump wants to win, he has a better chance with varying bet sizes. you have to be smart to consistently pick winners. you don't have to be as smart to get in the black. that's just how i see it.

i don't think the typical gambler goes in with the grind it out, flat bet mentality
i think the typical loser chases his bets, because of what i already explained, and thus that is why money management is what produces losers.

you can easily argue your side, and just say because it is very difficult to beat the line at 53%+, that would support your argument. but my argument is that the typical gambler doesn't go in with the mentality of even attempting to hit that rate over a long run. they don't even try to grind. they lose, and they lose big for other reasons.

yeah but even if they did all that stuff right, they would still lose. Lose a lot less though...
 

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maybe, maybe not

i basically see 4 groups of people, 1 of which really only exists in theory.

excellent cappers that can hit 53%+ (super rare)
losing flat bettors (also super rare. why? if they lose long enough, those losers eventually always chase)
varying bet sizes, hit around 50%, come out in the black (majority of winning bettors despite many of them thinking they are better than 53% lol)
varying bet sizes, hit around 50%, if not way less, come out in the red (most losers and just most people in general)

my point is you can still win without hitting 53% and honestly i think a lot of people do it that way.
there are just few people willing to grind out that kind of win.
 

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