The Biggest Mistakes Bettors Make and How to Improve Long-Term Results

Betting on football can be exciting and profitable, but it’s also an activity full of pitfalls. Many bettors make common mistakes that harm their results, especially in the long term. In this article, we explore the most significant mistakes bettors make and provide clear advice on what to do (and what to avoid) to improve performance.

1. Lack of Planning and Bankroll Management

Mistake: Betting without a solid financial plan or failing to define a fixed amount for your bankroll. Many end up risking more than they can afford to lose or impulsively increasing stakes after a loss.

How to fix:

Define your bankroll: Set aside an amount of money exclusively for betting.
Use fixed stakes: Bet a small percentage of your bankroll (usually between 1% and 5%) on each bet to protect your capital.
Avoid going “all-in”: Never risk your entire bankroll on a single bet, no matter how confident you feel.

2. Failing to Conduct Proper Research

Mistake: Placing bets based on superficial assumptions, such as a team’s popularity or recent form, without considering statistics and other key factors.

How to fix:

Analyse statistics: Check head-to-head records, recent form, injuries, and weather conditions.
Understand the markets: Learn about different types of bets (handicap, over/under, etc.) and focus on those where you have more knowledge.
Follow news updates: Stay informed about injuries, suspensions, or tactical changes.

3. Lack of Discipline

Mistake: Betting impulsively, especially after a losing streak (known as going on “tilt”), or increasing bet amounts after a win.

How to fix:

Stay calm: Emotional betting often leads to poor decisions.
Stick to your strategy: Have clear rules for your bets and follow them strictly.
Avoid unfamiliar events: Don’t bet on leagues or sports you’re not familiar with out of frustration or boredom.

4. Chasing Quick Wins

Mistake: Pursuing immediate results with risky bets, such as accumulators with many selections or extremely high odds.

How to fix:

Prioritise value bets: Look for opportunities where the odds offered are higher than the real probability of the event occurring.
Avoid excessive combinations: Accumulator bets are tempting, but the chances of winning decrease significantly with each additional selection.
Think long-term: The goal should be to build consistent profits, not win everything at once.

5. Failing to Manage Psychological Factors

Mistake: Allowing emotions like anger, greed, or frustration to influence your decisions.

How to fix:

Take breaks after losses: If you feel emotionally affected, step away before placing new bets.
Set limits: Determine a maximum number of bets per day or week.
Accept losses: You won’t always win, and that’s part of the game.

6. Ignoring the Importance of “Value” in Bets

Mistake: Betting solely because you believe a team “will win” without considering whether the odds offered justify the risk.

How to fix:

Learn about expected value: Only bet when the odds are higher than the actual probability of the event occurring.
Avoid low odds: Betting on obvious favourites with very small odds is rarely profitable in the long term.

7. Failing to Keep Records of Bets

Mistake: Not maintaining a detailed record of your bets, making it difficult to analyse performance.

How to fix:

Use spreadsheets or apps: Record all details, including market, odds, stake, result, and profit/loss.
Review regularly: Analyse your bets to identify patterns and adjust your strategy.

8. Relying Solely on Tips

Mistake: Blindly following tips from other bettors or websites without conducting your own analysis.

How to fix:

Validate the information: Use tips as a starting point but always conduct your own research.
Avoid generic advice: Opt for detailed analyses based on concrete data.

9. Ignoring Odds Value

Mistake: Choosing bets based on intuition without comparing odds across different bookmakers.

How to fix:

Use odds comparison tools: Platforms that show the best odds help you maximise your profits.
Have accounts with multiple bookmakers: This allows you to take advantage of the best odds available for each bet.

10. Underestimating the Impact of Time

Mistake: Expecting immediate results and giving up quickly after a few losses.

How to fix:

Be patient: Consistent results take time.
Focus on the long term: Evaluate your performance over months or years, not days or weeks.

Final Tips to Improve Your Results

Keep educating yourself: Read articles, join forums, and learn from experienced bettors.
Specialise: Focus on specific leagues or markets to gain an edge over other bettors.
Adapt: Review and adjust your strategy as needed.

Betting requires discipline, research, and patience. Avoiding the common mistakes outlined in this article is the first step to building a solid and profitable betting journey. Best of luck!