Every bettor starts somewhere—but learning the ropes without falling into common traps can save you money and frustration. If you want to build a solid foundation, avoid these classic beginner betting mistakes and set yourself up for long-term success.
Mistake: Betting random amounts without a plan.
Tip: Set a dedicated bankroll for betting and risk only 1-3% per wager. Never chase losses by increasing stakes.
Mistake: Spreading yourself thin across too many bets.
Tip: Focus on quality over quantity. Target bets where you have a real edge—don’t bet for action.
Mistake: Betting just because you think a team will win, without considering if the odds offer value.
Tip: Always compare implied probability to your own estimate. Only bet when there’s +EV (positive expected value).
Mistake: Backing your favorite team or chasing a bad day with impulsive bets.
Tip: Stay objective. Follow your data, not your heart. Avoid emotional swings.
Mistake: Chasing huge payouts with long-shot parlays.
Tip: Parlays are fun but high-risk. Stick to single bets when building a serious bankroll.
Mistake: Not paying attention to odds shifts before game time.
Tip: Track how lines move—sharp money and late news can reveal value or risks.
Mistake: Not reviewing bets to learn what’s working.
Tip: Keep a betting journal. Record results and reasons for each bet. Continuous review sharpens your edge.
Betting is a skill—and like any skill, avoiding early mistakes gives you a huge advantage. By managing your bankroll, chasing value, staying disciplined, and learning from every bet, you’ll be miles ahead of most beginners. Ready to bet smarter? Build your winning habits today on SportsTrade!
We're concerned about problem gambling. For most people, gambling is entertainment - a fun activity that can be enjoyed without harmful effect. But for some, it's not just a game - it's a serious problem that continues even after the fun has gone.
Compulsive gambling is not easily detected. The person with a gambling problem will often go to great lengths to cover up the problem and will appear to look all right, regardless of the consequences of their gambling.
Warning Signs. Some of the indicators that a person may be suffering from a gambling problem include:
Losing time from work or family due to gambling.
Repeated failed attempts to stop or control gambling.
Borrowing money to gamble or pay gambling debts.
Gambling to escape worry or trouble.
Neglecting the care of one's self or family in order to gamble.
Lying about the amount of time and money spent on gambling.
Gambling more money in an attempt to win back losses.
Selling or pawning personal possessions to get money to gamble.
Feelings of hopelessness, depression, or suicide as a result of gambling.
Remember that help is available. By reaching out to people who understand, you can find the help you need. You can visit the Gambler's Anonymous website here:http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/ or Responsible Gaming Council here: http://www.responsiblegambling.org/
This is a non-profit organization not affiliated with us in any way.
It is an offence for persons under the age of eighteen (18) to make use of the Website. If we are unable to confirm that you are 18 years old then we may suspend your account until such time that we are able to confirm your age. If you are subsequently proven to have been under 18 years of age at the time you made any transactions with us, then:
Your Account will be closed.
All transactions on your account will be made void, and all related funds deposited by you will be returned by the payment method used for the deposit of such funds, wherever practicable.
Sportstrade is committed to providing the best service possible. We want our member to have confidence in our platform, and that's why we offer a Credit Back Guarantee to all tips without profits. This program comes into effect on the 01 July 2015 ('Effective Date') and is offered to ensure that member who made tips purchase of any tips that ended with either lose, draw, cancelled or postponed game. The credits will automatically refund to your account the next day and the information will be available after login in the member dashboard and available in 'transaction history' tab