Almost every sports bettor has the same goal in mind: to place bets and win big profits out of their bets. Indeed, we would want the team we bet on to win or at least win under the specific conditions based on the bet we place. However, does this also apply to online bookies?

Bookmaker Secrets They don't Want You to Know

Unlike you, bookies or online sportsbooks are not here to enjoy the game. Even though they provide you with all the matches to bet on, bookies don't operate to enjoy the fun and excitement of betting. So, how do these bookies play the game of online sports betting? And is there anything they're not telling you?

We'll look at the top five bookie secrets you should know. Take notes, as some of these things may help you make better bets for the long run.

Your Wins or Losses don't Affect Them

In contrast to what you believe or what other bettors may have told you, bookies don't care whether you win or lose your bets. However, they're interested in balancing out the best of both sides of the game. This way, they can still make money regardless of who wins the match. After all, an online sportsbook is still a business that seeks profits.

Therefore, the next time you place a bet, you shouldn't think that bookies only want you to lose your bets. The bookies are only after the bet you'll make and the money they can make from the match after every bet has been collected and paid all winnings. However, this won't stop them from attempting to take bigger bets from bettors who are on a winning streak.

When bookies find a bettor who's making consistent winnings, they restrict the amount of action these bettors can perform or even stop taking bets from them. You may argue that it shouldn't matter if any bettor wins consistently, as long as the bookies can balance their action, but this won't work. Bookies aren't required by law that we know of to take anyone's bets.

Bookies Love Accumulators (Parlays)

An accumulator bet is a bet from the outcome of two or more matches tied within one bet. You must pick two or more teams to win and place a bet.

To win your bet, all of your chosen teams need to succeed. The payout for winning an accumulator bet is bigger than what you'd win on individual bets, so you won't need to bet as much while receiving significantly more return.

However, the odds against winning two or more combined matches rise with every extra match you pick. The bookie knows that the odds are against you, and the higher the reward makes the risk worth it. Additionally, they set the risk and reward ratio so that it's always in their favour, similar to how they lock in profits when receiving balanced action during regular bets.

The accumulator bets a bookie takes are usually more profitable for the betting company than the bets on standard matches. Teasers are basically accumulator bets and should be in the same category.

We suggest that you stay away from any kind of accumulators. If you're looking to bet on two or more teams, just place straight bets on every game.

Lines Aren't Set for Predictions

In our first point, we've mentioned that bookmakers make money by having balanced action during matches. They set the handicaps from predicting the values which generate roughly equal action on both sides of the match. This is why the lines they offer shouldn't be considered predictions of the final score.

The truth is, many of the lines set by the bookies turn out to be good predictions of outcomes, but it's actually a byproduct of the desire to balance the action. Try looking at the bookies' point of view; what would your goal be if you were in their shoes? Would you rather accurately set the lines that predict the outcomes of upcoming games or set them where they make equal action on each side?

How the bookies set the lines are 100% a business and focus on maximising their profit. Therefore, what you're seeing on the lines isn't purely about probabilities, but instead, some efforts from the bookie to ensure they'll make money no matter what. You will do the same thing if you're running a bookie.

Don't Make Prop Bets

We've mentioned that you need to find value to become a long-term profitable sports bettor. To do this, you need to learn how to predict the outcomes of upcoming matches and seek the lines that don't agree with your predictions.

Prop bets are usually based on pure chance or past percentages, which means you can rarely find value from these bets.

Prop bets are any bets that don't fit one of the traditional ways of betting on games. Spread bets, moneyline, and totals are the traditional ways to bet on a game's outcome.

These are the examples of prop bets:

  • Which team scores first?
  • Which team will win the coin toss?
  • Will there be VAR in the match?

These kinds of bets are designed to make coin-flip bets. The bookies make money when they make bets that rely on a 50:50 chance as they can earn guaranteed profit from the commission.

A perfect example is a bet on who wins the coin toss at the start of a match. You need to pay 11 to win 10 if you receive the offered odds of 1.90 when the fair odds should be 2.00 or whatever commission it is, with only a 50% chance to win. The bet that's offered on safety has set the line by the past probability of safeties in matches. This is the same as coin flips.

Anytime the bookie can get you to place bets on these kinds of outcomes, they'll gain more guaranteed profits. This is the reason you should avoid making prop bets.

Bookies Win No Matter What Happens

The best customer for a bookie is the casual or recreational ones who come and win no more than half their bets. This is because the average bettor picks a match with the same outcome as a coin toss or throwing darts at a betting table.

As you've previously learned, when you make bets that win half the time, the sportsbook locks in a profit due to the commission. This is why they prefer bettors who aren't planning to succeed in the long run and looking for one-time bets.

Interestingly, even if a bookie has decent bettors with 51% average wins instead of 50%, the sportsbook still makes more money in the long run.

Of course, bookies also want to maximise their profit, so they try to prevent bettors from winning more than 50% against the bookie. So, what happens when the betting sites can't make equal action on each side of the match?

The truth is that both sides of the game are rarely precisely even. However, the bookies don't need them to be even on a game-by-game basis. Instead, they need them to be even over consecutive games. And if they set a good line, the action will turn out balanced.

This means that every average bookie needs to make good lines and have enough cash on the sideline to handle the short-term variance. This is the reason why sports bettors have difficulties making money in the long term.

The entire betting industry is designed to go against the bettor. Bookies have a greater chance of succeeding in the long term, and bettors have a smaller chance of succeeding. Even if you figured out a killer strategy to win, the sportsbook will likely still turn the bigger profit.

You might be wondering, then, what's the reason to place bets in the first place? In reality, it's indeed better if most bettors stop playing. But this doesn't mean that it's impossible to win.

If you have a large enough bankroll and learn about all the betting markets available, you can profit from seeking value when the given handicaps don't go according to your predictions. Just make sure you're aware of what you are up against and that the bookies will make a profit whether you win or lose.

How to Choose a Bookmaker?

To pick a bookie, you'll need to shop around a bit to ensure the best value for your money. Bookmakers can also place the odds for a bet as they wish, so you might want to check out the competition before choosing the first one you see. Some bookies may also have better odds, so if you're looking for the highest windfall, you may do so. Remember not to stick to one sports book for the rest of your betting career.

Choosing a bookie can also depend on the bet you place. For example, if you like to bet on handicaps, you should go for a bookie with the best handicap returns. Try browsing the different sportsbooks available and you'll eventually find one that suits your bets.

Conclusion

Bookmakers will likely become more popular in the coming years due to the increase in their legality. More countries and states are now legalising sports betting, so if you've been waiting to get into the sports betting space, now is an excellent time to brush up on your knowledge. These secret bookies don't want you to now may help you understand how the industry works and can guide you to become a more profitable sports bettor.