Skip to content
Categories Betting 101

How to Bet on Sports: A Guide to Positive Expected Value Betting

Updated February 9, 2025 | 10:02 am CDT by Sam Smith

Betting on sports can be an exciting way to engage with your favorite games, but turning it into a profitable venture requires a disciplined approach and a solid understanding of the underlying concepts. We’ll explore how to bet on sports and maximize returns by focusing on positive expected value bets (+EV) and avoiding common pitfalls.

Portfolio EV helps you grow your bankroll and maximize long-term profits with ease. Start unlocking more Portfolio Betting page to get started!


How to Bet on Sports: Positive Expected Value Betting

One of the first things you need to learn about sports betting is understanding how lines are set and move. +EV bets.

Tips for Spotting +EV Opportunities:

  • Use Odds Comparison Tools: market inefficiencies.
  • Track Market Makers: Books like Pinnacle or Circa are known for sharp lines. Compare their odds with other sportsbooks to find value.
  • Consider Context: Understand external factors like injuries, weather and public perception, which can lead to inefficient pricing.

Bankroll Management

Even the best bettors experience losing streaks. Proper bankroll management ensures you can withstand variance and stay in the game long enough to realize your edge. A common rule of thumb is to bet 1% to 2% of your bankroll per wager, adjusting as your bankroll grows or shrinks.

Mistakes to Avoid:

  • Chasing Losses: Doubling down after a losing streak can quickly deplete your bankroll.
  • Betting Without a Plan: Set clear rules for stake sizes and stick to them, regardless of short-term results.

Avoid Common Mistakes

The biggest advantage sportsbooks have is the bettor’s lack of discipline and understanding. Avoid these common errors to improve your chances:

Betting Without Line Shopping: Always compare odds across multiple sportsbooks. Even a small difference in odds can significantly impact your long-term profitability. We have you covered if you’re looking for the best sportsbooks for beginners.

Focusing on Favorites or Public Teams: Public perception often inflates the odds on popular teams, creating value on the other side.

Ignoring the Vig: The vig is the commission sportsbooks charge for taking bets. Lower-vig sportsbooks or reduced-juice markets offer better long-term value.

Overestimating Personal Knowledge: Trusting your gut over data-driven insights can lead to poor decisions. Use tools like Portfolio EV to base bets on solid evidence.


Get Portfolio EV for FREE! Follow these simple steps to get access to the best sports betting tools available:

  • Choose a Partner: Pick one of our partner registration offers to get started.
  • Deposit & Bet: Fund your and place your first wager or pick’em entry.
  • Capture Screenshots: Take screenshots of your welcome email and your first settled bet.
  • Claim Your Picks: Email your screenshots to @oddsshopper.com, and we’ll send you your free picks!

It’s that easy! Enjoy a free month of Portfolio EV!


Leverage Technology and Tools

Tools like Portfolio EV can automate the process of finding +EV bets. By continuously scanning odds across sportsbooks and calculating expected value, these tools save time and increase efficiency.

Key Features of Portfolio EV:

  • Real-Time Odds Comparison: Instantly spot discrepancies across sportsbooks.
  • Historical Data Analysis: Identify patterns and trends to refine your strategy through our EV results.
  • Portfolio Tracking: Manage your bets and monitor performance over time.
  • Betting in Bulk: We advise placing as many bets as possible. With our Mass Entry Tool, you can get a lot of bets down in a very short period of time across many different sportsbooks.

Stay Disciplined and Adaptable

Sports betting markets evolve, and your strategies should, too. Stay disciplined by sticking to +EV opportunities and avoiding impulsive bets. Use data to inform your decisions, and don’t hesitate to adjust your approach as you gain experience.

Sports betting can be profitable, but it’s not a get-rich-quick scheme. By focusing on +EV bets, practicing sound bankroll management and avoiding common Portfolio EV can help streamline your process, while insights from experts provide a strong foundation for understanding the market.

Bet smarter, not harder with Portfolio EV, and let the power of +EV guide your bets to success.

React App
Categories Betting 101
Best Drafters Promo Code Today
NBA Player Prop Picks & Predictions Today: Tuesday, January 21 (2025)
Sam Smith

Author

Sam Smith

Sam Smith is a writer and editor with Stokastic and OddsShopper. He has been immersed in the world of professional sports data since 2015 while also writing extensively on the NFL for a multitude of blogs and websites. With OddsShopper, Sam looks to blend his sports and editorial expertise with OddsShopper's data to bring you the best betting information possible.

Next Story

Why the Sportsbooks Hate You When You Actually Start Winning

Trending & Related

Betting 101

Why the Sportsbooks Hate You When You Actually Start Winning

What is Portfolio EV? Guide to +EV Sports Betting

Sports Betting Software Showdown: Which Tool Is Right for You?

3 Betting Mistakes That Portfolio EV Catches Instantly (And How It Fixes Them)

Sports Betting Resources

  • Positive EV NFL Bets
  • Expert NFL Picks
  • Live NBA Odds
  • Positive EV NBA Bets
  • Expert NBA Picks
  • Live NFL Odds
  • NFL Parlay Calculator
  • Positive EV MLB Bets
  • Expert MLB Picks
  • Positive EV College Football Bets
  • Expert College Football Picks

Featured Articles

Why the Sportsbooks Hate You When You Actually Start Winning
May 20, 2025 2:17 pm | Dave Loughran
What is Dinger Tuesday? How to Beat FanDuel’s Promotion
May 20, 2025 2:10 pm | Isaiah Sirois
Get a 7-DAY FREE TRIAL Of Portfolio EV Today!
May 20, 2025 10:12 am | Sam Smith
How Portfolio EV Built My NBA Bankroll from $100 to $1,200
May 16, 2025 7:11 am | Greg Ehrenberg
You Don’t Need to Be a Genius to Beat the Books — Just the Right Tools
April 26, 2025 8:15 am | Dave Loughran
NBA Playoffs Are Heating Up — And Portfolio EV s Are Cashing In
April 22, 2025 3:02 pm | Sam Smith

Related Articles

Sports Betting Without Knowing the Sport: How Market-Based +EV Betting Can Beat the Books
May 22, 2025 2:37 pm | Sam Smith
The Portfolio EV Lab Just Got a Massive Data Upgrade
May 20, 2025 2:47 pm | Sam Smith
Why the Sportsbooks Hate You When You Actually Start Winning
May 20, 2025 2:17 pm | Dave Loughran
What is Dinger Tuesday? How to Beat FanDuel’s Promotion
May 20, 2025 2:10 pm | Isaiah Sirois
What is Portfolio EV? Guide to +EV Sports Betting
May 20, 2025 10:07 am | Sam Smith
Sharp vs. Soft Sportsbooks: How to Spot the Difference and Find the Best Value Bets
May 19, 2025 3:09 pm | Sam Smith

PrizePicks, DraftKings Pick6 & Underdog Cheat Sheet: Best More/Less Picks Today for NBA & MLB (May 23)
May 23, 2025 11:05 am
Sports Betting Without Knowing the Sport: How Market-Based +EV Betting Can Beat the Books
May 22, 2025 2:37 pm
Underdog Fantasy Pick’em Predictions Today: Anthony Edwards (May 22)
May 22, 2025 1:07 pm
Best ParlayPlay Promo Code Today
May 22, 2025 6:57 am
Best Sleeper Promo Code Today
May 22, 2025 6:56 am
Best Underdog Promo Code Today
May 22, 2025 6:56 am
Best Vivid Picks Promo Code Today
May 22, 2025 6:56 am
The Portfolio EV Lab Just Got a Massive Data Upgrade
May 20, 2025 2:47 pm
Why the Sportsbooks Hate You When You Actually Start Winning
May 20, 2025 2:17 pm
What is Dinger Tuesday? How to Beat FanDuel’s Promotion
May 20, 2025 2:10 pm

How Can I Find the Best Sports Betting and DFS App Bonuses?

If you're a new sports bettor, it's hard to know where to start. In fact, it's simpler than it seems, because there are use OddsShopper's Free Bet Converter to maximize your beginning bankroll

Get a bonus code for BetMGM

Get a promo code Caesars Sportsbook

Best DraftKings Promo Code

Get a promo code for DraftKings

Use a promo code for FanDuel

Claim a promo code for PrizePicks

Get a promo code for UnderDog

the ranks of the OddsShopper Hall of Fame

  • Free Expert Picks

    • Free NBA Picks
    • Free MLB Picks
    • Free NFL Picks
    • Free NHL Picks
    • Free NCAAB Picks
    • Free NCAAF Picks
    • Free Golf Picks
    • Free UFC Picks
    • Free EPL Picks
    • Free Tennis Picks
    • Free WNBA Picks
  • Positive EV Bets

    • Positive EV NBA Bets
    • Positive EV MLB Bets
    • Positive EV NFL Bets
    • Positive EV NHL Bets
    • Positive EV NCAAB Bets
    • Positive EV NCAAF Bets
    • Positive EV Golf Bets
    • Positive EV UFC Bets
    • Positive EV EPL Bets
    • Positive EV Tennis Bets
    • Positive EV WNBA Bets
  • Betting Tools

    • Arbitrage Opportunities
    • Parlay Builder
    • PrizePicks Entry Builder
    • Underdog Entry Builder
    • Sleeper Entry Builder
    • Free Bet Converter
  • Articles

    • All Articles
    • NBA Articles
    • NFL Articles
    • NCAAF Articles
    • MLB Articles
    • PGA Articles
    • NHL Articles
    • NASCAR Articles
    • MMA Articles
  • Betting Calculators

    • Expected Value Calculator
    • Hold Calculator
    • Parlay Calculator
    • Odds Converter
  • Live Odds

    • Live NBA Odds
    • Live MLB Odds
    • Live NFL Odds
    • Live NHL Odds
    • Live NCAAB Odds
    • Live NCAAF Odds
    • Live Golf Odds
    • Live UFC Odds
    • Live EPL Odds
    • Live Tennis Odds
  • Sportsbook Promo Codes

    • BetMGM Bonus Codes
    • Bet365 Bonus Codes
    • FanDuel Promo Codes
    • DraftKings Promo Codes
    • Caesars Promo Codes
    • BetRivers Promo Codes
    • Sleeper Fantasy Promo Codes
    • Underdog Fantasy Promo Codes
    • Betr Picks Promo Codes

    • Us
    • of Use
    • Stokastic
OddsShopper Logo
© 2024 Stokastic.All Rights reserved.
This site contains commercial content, We may be compensated for the links provided on this page. The content on this page is for informational purposes only. OddsShopper makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the information given or the outcome of any game or event. Please play responsibly. Only customers 21 and over are permitted to play. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.