Jimmy Boyd in 
My goal at Boyd’s Bets has always been to help clients make money through following my picks. But, I also want every one of my visitors and clients to gain knowledge about beating the books.
Below I’ve listed some important general tips to be aware of when breaking down games. I’ve also added links to more information for each sport. The tips that follow can apply to any sport. But, you will want to take a closer look at each sport’s handicapping page to find more specific tips.
Money Management
You need to have a sound money management strategy in place before you even start looking at which games to wager on. This is the most important aspect of handicapping. But, it is also the most overlooked.
The size of your starting bankroll is how much money you are willing to risk and lose. You then factor out approximately 3-5% of that total amount for each wager. This ensures you do not lose your entire bankroll because of a few losses in a row.
Your goal should be long-term results. You don’t want to throw your entire starting bankroll on one game to try to double up. That’s gambling. If it were easy to double down on a few games and quadruple your entire starting bankroll everyone would do it. Be smart and patient with your money and you will be much happier with the results.
Have a Clear Mind
You need to stay away from the ticket window or your online account if your mind is in an altered state. I’ve seen far too many huge bets made after someone has had a few too many. If you know you are going to be drinking while watching games get your action in before you start. Then find some way to avoid making any extra wagers like halftime bets during the game.
Shop for Better Numbers
This advice is mostly for those who gamble online, but it can apply to real-life books as well. You always want to have multiple options for every game you bet. Often times finding a half point better line will end up being the difference between a win and a loss. This can also save you the extra juice it might cost to buy a line down when you aren’t getting the best number. There will be times when this is unavoidable. But, if you have enough options you’ll be able to get better lines more often than not. Our lines page will help you shop around.
Do you have a local book who allows you to parlay correlated sides & totals? If so you have to take advantage.
Don’t Bet Just to Bet
One of the hardest things to do, even for experienced bettors, is to know when to take the day off. A lot of bettors get used to the idea that they are going to bet on every game that they watch. Don’t fall into this trap! You’ll find yourself inventing reasons to be on a game, even if there is no logic behind it. Knowing when not to bet is important to being successful at sports betting.
Game Location
Where is the game being played? There is a significant home field advantage in every single sport. We have done the work to figure out just how much of one there is so you can adjust your numbers.