Here's the thing about gambling. If you want to consistently make money, it takes YEARS to learn the ins and outs of the sports betting market. I'm a prime example. Started gambling Junior year at UConn with $10 bets and was not good whatsoever. There were even moments where I lost more than I was comfortable with and it led to some difficult times (Gambling when only making $250 a week while working at Red Rock Cafe is not ideal). Funny to think about whether I'd still be gambling if it wasn't for UConn bringing the ship home.
I've been fortunate enough to learn from my mistakes over the 10 years since then. Knowing that if lines like UConn -10 vs DePaul (it's a hyperbolic example but work with me) are posted, you should never be on UConn. The betting public obviously would race to bet -10 vs an abysmal DePaul team (say 80% of bets/tickets are on UConn), which is exactly what Vegas/the sportsbooks want! Another, this time real life, example is #8 Auburn @ Alabama the other night. Alabama was -2.5!!!! Auburn was on a 5 game win streak against the spread! The line told you everything about which side to bet (even though it was a clencher with that final 3 being called off, still a W). Finding yourself betting against the public in most cases will start steering you in the right direction.
Getting the "Action Network Sports Betting" app and paying for a Pro membership ($100/yr I think?) is a must in my opinion. It will show you public betting % and money % on each side of a game. They also have indicators telling you if big money is on a side, "sharps" or respected bettors are on a side, or if the Action team's experts are on a side (you can pick and choose who you want to follow). There's also a ton of articles (which include KenPom rankings, offensive/defensive metrics, shooting regression, etc.) for specific games. Follow me @VinnyD33 on there)
Bottom line is that you really have to work hard to be a profitable gambler (the Pros boast about anything 55%+ win rate ATS). I knew people who had addictive personalities, would lose way more than they had to their names with a bookie, only for them to try to bet their way out of it (DO NOT DO THIS). Gambling is dangerous without doing your research or having zero self control. If you do it for fun, keep it light and bet whatever the hell you desire.
TL;DR... I know, but this is something I'm truly passionate about and I could go on and on. I win enough $ that I consider it my second job (the tax man sees it that way too).
Feel free to start a conversation. Be happy to help and answer any questions.
Last month NCAAB --- ROI: 34.17% Record: 33-15-2 Wins: 69% (v nice)