Even the best basketball bettors are not immune to NBA betting mistakes. That said, there are steps that you can take to avoid the common NBA betting mistakes that many people run into.
Here are the top NBA betting mistakes that you need to be aware of. Whether you’re wagering on individual games, futures, player props or any other markets, be sure to avoid these blunders.
Betting Without Research
Wagering without research is undoubtedly one of the biggest NBA betting mistakes you can make. Thanks to the wide variety of basketball sportsbooks out there, it has never been easier to place a bet, but that doesn’t mean you should place wagers without thinking.
Study the league, familiarize yourself with the teams and players, get to know the coaches, examine head-to-head records, analyze the stats and consider trends. The more research you carry out, the more likely you will be to win money.
Chasing Losses With Bigger Bets
There is nothing good about losing a bet, but you should never chase your losses. Instead, you should always trust that your strategy will work over an extended period.
For example, if you lose $25 betting on the Chicago Bulls, don’t throw $50 at their next game to try and win back your money, especially if you haven’t researched the game.
At the end of the day, chasing losses with bigger wagers is a bad strategy for any bettor, regardless of the sport, league or event.
Betting Emotionally
Naturally, the majority of NBA bettors are also NBA fans. Supporters tend to have more information about teams, players and tactics, giving them an edge over non-supporters, but fans are also more likely to let their emotions get the better of them.
For instance, if you’re a fan of the New York Knicks, you might be more tempted to bet on their games because you think you know more about them. However, you should always bet with your head and not with your heart.
Bad Bankroll Management
Of course, no bet is ever guaranteed to win. If gambling came without risks, we’d all be millionaires, right? That said, you should always aim to protect your bankroll and only place bets that offer positive value.
If your betting limit for a slate of NBA games is $100, don’t exceed that number. Assess the schedule, select a handful of games to target, find the best value bets and only bet what you can afford to lose.
Avoid These NBA Betting Mistakes
As we already mentioned, all basketball bettors are prone to making NBA betting mistakes. Nobody is perfect 100% of the time, but you can mitigate errors by avoiding the most common faults.
Next time you bet on the NBA, be sure to carry out research and keep your emotions in check. If your bankroll takes an unexpected dent, don’t chase your losses.