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Books on other ‘winnable’ gambling pursuits like horse racing and poker are good resources of theoretical information for the sports gambler. While for some reason there hasn’t been much written specific to the sports handicapper that deals with the discipline from a serious theoretical level, there are countless books devoted to a thoughtful discussion of horse racing and poker.

Poker–like sports betting–can be a profitable endeavor, and one in which knowledge and skill can counteract the theoretical odds against him. Legendary poker theorist Bob Caro once noted that while there are some professional poker players, sports bettors or blackjack players there’s not a single professional roulette player.

The reason for that is that the house advantage in roulette is too high to overcome by any combination of skill, money management, strategy or discipline. To throw in another Caro concept, its a case where the decisions made by the roulette player simply don’t have a role in overcoming the house advantage. Over the long haul whether you choose red or black, even or odd the house edge remains the same.

Caro strongly emphasizes the importance of discipline at the table to a poker player’s long term profitability. The average person goes into a casino to “escape” from the real world–in other words, he goes into a casino to temporarily forget the need for discipline that exists in day to day life. He wants to have a few drinks, do a little gambling and enjoy a break from the mundane. Casinos exist to facilitate this ‘escape’ while using their mathematical edge to turn a profit. While poker operates somewhat differently in terms of the casino making money, the motivation that drives a recreational poker player to the tables is no different than in any other casino game.

And the lesson that Caro gives to the would be expert poker player is the same lesson that Im going to give to you here. The first step toward becoming a successful sports gambler is to approach it with the same discipline that youd approach any other job. You must start to think about sports and sports wagering like a professional and not like a recreational gambler. The greater degree to which you can apply a regimented framework to the sports betting process, the greater degree to which you will be successful at it.

This isn’t to say that there’s anything wrong with being a recreational sports gambler. In fact, those of us who do this professionally *need* recreational players–they’re the financial lifeblood of the casino and sportsbook industry. Handicapping sports would be pretty pointless without a bookmaker to take our bets.

If you want to bet recreationally, thats fine and unless you have the dedication and discipline to do it right its probably better for most people. You might be able to win more often and lose less frequently with some enhanced discipline. Ultimately, however, as a recreational gambler the only discipline you really need to know is the same as for other casino games or any hobby”just dont bet more than you can afford to lose. After that, youre on your own.

Ross Everett is a consulting handicapper for Anatta Sports and is in charge of providing daily free sports picks to a variety of Internet websites and broadcast media outlets. He is a widely published freelance writer specializing in sports handicapping, auto racing, clogging and falconry. He lives in Southern Nevada with three Jack Russell Terriers and a wombat.

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