How to Bet Like a Pro and Keep Everything You Win

Ever bagged a few thousand grand in a betting session only to blow it all away shortly after? Don’t beat yourself up, we’ve all been there. You just need to know the right strategies to prevent this from happening again. And that’s what we’ll go over today.

1. Have a Gameplan Before You Start

It all starts with a plan. You need to set your goals before you even make your deposit. And it all depends on your bankroll.

If you play with a bankroll of £1,000, then a realistic goal would be to make £25-£50 that session. If you plan with a bigger bankroll of £10,000, you could easily aim for £100 per day. But just make sure you stick to small bets so you don’t go bust. We generally recommend 1-2% of your bankroll per bet. And try looking for value bets (we’ll explain this concept later in this article).

Casino expert Mark Taylor Casinowhizz chimed in with a pro tip: “One strategy that has worked consistently for me is to meet my target for the day and then close down the session. For example, if I have a goal of making £100 per day, I close down my session as soon as I reach £100. And I don’t look back until my next session the following day.”

He goes on: “But you’ll face cold streaks every now and then. If you notice your session starts heading the wrong direction, close it down and accept the loss. And when you notice you’re in a long cold streak for multiple days in order, just take a break for a week or two.”

2. Look For Value Bets

Something all the pros do is constantly looking for “+EV” bets, or “positive expected value” bets. This means you bet only on opportunities where the odds imply a lower probability of an outcome than you’ve calculated. In simpler terms, if you believe there’s a 60% chance of an event occurring, and the bookmaker’s odds imply just a 50% chance, that’s a value bet. Let’s look at an example with Tennis betting. We’ve found this is the sport where you can constantly find value bets, especially if you’re playing on breaks.

Tennis matches can be very unpredictable, especially outside of the top 100. With enough research and experience, you can quickly spot if a player is underestimated or overestimated. That way you can easily find inflated odds. Focusing on just a single market gives you the edge in spotting these discrepancies. It’s way better becoming an expert on one thing than trying to bet on every single market that’s available.

3. Maximising Bonuses Without Falling Into Traps

Are bonuses worth claiming? It depends really. Some bookies have unfair terms and hit you with unrealistic wagering requirements upwards of 50x. That’s very challenging to clear if you don’t hit a hot streak. But if you can find a good offer like a match bonus with a 5-10x wagering requirement, then we’d say go for it. Here are the different kinds of bonuses you can expect to see:

• 100% Deposit Bonuses: A typical “100% up to £100” bonus doubles your initial deposit, giving you extra funds to bet. If you wager wisely, this effectively increases your bankroll and reduces the risk of going bust early on. For instance, starting with £200 (your £100 deposit + £100 bonus) allows you to spread your bets, manage variance, and potentially increase your returns without risking as much of your actual money. However, watch out for wagering requirements – if the bonus needs to be wagered 30x before withdrawal, you’ll need to bet a total of £3,000. High requirements can erode the bonus value, so always weigh the bonus against the cost of meeting these terms.

• No-Deposit Bonuses: These bonuses let you bet without using your own money but often come with restrictions on withdrawal amounts or high wagering requirements. They’re best used as a risk-free way to test betting strategies, but don’t expect to withdraw significant winnings unless you’re very lucky. Still, they’re worth a shot if you want to practice without risking your bankroll.

4. Understanding Markets and Finding an Edge

A focused approach works best in betting, especially in sports markets. While it’s tempting to dabble in many sports, professional bettors usually specialise in just one or two. Choosing a single market like tennis allows you to immerse yourself in all the stats, player patterns, and factors that impact match outcomes.

The advantage of focusing on tennis, in particular, is that you’ll often find bookmakers are less accurate in their odds compared to sports like football, where massive data is already built into the algorithms. For example, tennis players’ performance can vary widely based on court surfaces, recent match intensity, and even weather conditions in outdoor matches. By studying these factors, you can identify mispriced odds and make more informed bets.

5. Slots vs. Betting: Choosing the Better Long-Term Play

Both slots and sports betting have their own risks and rewards, but in the long run, betting tends to offer a higher return potential for those who bet wisely. Here’s why:

• Slots: Slots operate on a random number generator, and each spin is completely independent. Slot machines are programmed with a fixed RTP percentage (return to player), often between 94–97%, meaning you’re statistically expected to lose 3–6% of what you bet over time. There’s little you can do to improve these odds.

• Sports Betting: Unlike slots, sports betting allows you to apply skill and analysis, meaning you can improve your chances of winning through knowledge and strategy. Value betting can give you a long-term advantage, which isn’t possible with slots. While you’ll encounter variance in sports betting, if you stick to +EV bets and manage your bankroll, your expected return is higher than what most slots offer.

6. Bankroll Management: Staying in the Game

To bet like a professional, you need a solid plan for your bankroll. Decide in advance how much you’re willing to bet, how often, and on what types of games. Stick to these rules to avoid overextending yourself, even when you’re on a winning streak.

Tip: Try to use no more than 1–2% of your total bankroll on any single bet. This way, even if you lose a few times, your bankroll will survive the natural ups and downs of betting.

7. Keep Track of Your Performance

Serious bettors track their results over time, noting wins, losses, and the types of bets that paid off. This data helps you refine your strategy, identify strengths, and cut out areas where you’re losing. Analysing your own betting habits can reveal insights into how you can improve – an edge that professional bettors rely on.

Betting like a pro takes discipline, knowledge, and a strategic mindset. So mind the variance, choose the right payout method, leverage bonuses, know your odds, and manage your bankroll. That way you’ll be on your way to turning gambling into a calculated, profitable activity.