If you’re a beginner in sports betting and seeking a comprehensive guide to kick-start your betting journey in South Africa, then your search ends here! Our Sports Betting Guide for Beginners provides all the necessary information required to become a successful sports bettor. It covers everything from selecting a sportsbook in SA to researching bets with tools to do so and placing your first bets with confidence. By following our user-friendly sports betting guide, you’ll be equipped to place your bets with ease and confidence. So, start your sports betting journey with our easy-to-follow guide today!
Choosing a Sportsbook
If you’re new to sports betting, choosing the right sportsbook is crucial to take sports betting. But with so many bookmakers and options available, it can be overwhelming to decide which one to go for. That’s why Pocket The Winner has put together this guide to help you navigate through the process. When selecting a sportsbook, consider factors such as the range of sports offered, odds, and promotions.
In South Africa, some of the biggest sportsbooks include Hollywoodbets, Betway, Sportingbet, and World Sports Betting. All being good bookmakers but for best money for value, we recommend Hollywoodbets as the best option in South African market / bettors. Hollywoodbets offers an extensive selection of sports, competitive odds, and generous promotions. But once you’ve selected your preferred sportsbook, the next step is to create an account. This involves providing personal information and in most cases (FICA process) and setting up a payment method. It’s essential to choose a payment method that’s safe, secure, and convenient for you.
We have a fantastic video on how to easily register an account with hollywoodbets feel free to look at our article and video tutorial showing you step by step. Once you have completed the registration process, you will be able to start placing bets. Learning how to start sports betting can be intimidating but with the right information and guidance, anyone can become a smarter bettor.
Researching Bets for Sports betting
When it comes to any type of sports betting, research is key to profits and winning bets. You need to do your homework before placing a bet to increase your chances of winning. Researching teams, horses, players, and matchups is essential to ensure you’re making an informed decision when placing a bet.
How to Start Sports Betting Research:
The first step in “researching bets” is understanding the basics of sports betting. Start by reading up on the different types of bets available in the sports you are betting, such as moneyline, point spread, and over/under bets.”
Researching Teams, Players and Matchups:
When researching teams, players, and matchups, look for relevant statistics and most recent form. This includes looking at how teams and players have performed in the past against certain opponents we highly reccomend using sofascore.com this amazing free tool is perfect for quick research. Additionally, pay attention to things like weather conditions and injuries of big names in team sports that could affect the outcome of a game. Utilizing the latest information on the team or sport will help you make more accurate predictions and decisions when placing bets.
Placing Sports Bets Online:
Once you’ve done your research and decided which bets to place, you can start sports betting online. Many South African sportsbooks offer easy-to-use platforms for placing bets quickly and securely. As mentioned using a reputable bookie like Hollywoodbets their platform is really straightforward to use and search for any sport or team. From there, you’ll be able to view odds, select wagers, and monitor your bankroll all from the comfort of your own home.
Placing Your First Sport bet
To take bets on Hollywoodbets or your preferred bookmaker, you first need to create an account and make a deposit. Once you have funds in your account, you can browse the available betting markets and select the ones you are interested in. Then, you simply need to select your desired bet and enter your stake. Hollywoodbets offers a variety of betting options, including pre-match and live betting, as well as a range of sports and events to bet on. They also offer various features such as cash out, live streaming, and promotions that can enhance your betting experience. If you have any issues or questions, you can contact their customer support team or use their live chat function for assistance.
As seen in the below betting slip screenshot we believe Arsenal will win their next game and have wagered a stake amount of R250 for Arsenal to win.
How to track your bets:
To track your bets and review your betting history on Hollywoodbets, you can log in to your account and navigate to the “My Account” section. From there, you can access your betting history, which will show you all of your past bets, including the date, time, bet type, and outcome. You can also track your bets in real-time by using the “My Bets” feature. This feature allows you to see your open bets and monitor their progress, including the potential payout.
Types of Sports Bets
Sports betting in South Africa can take many forms, and it is important to understand the various types of bets available before getting started. Whether you are looking to place your first sports bet online or at a physical bookmaker outlet like TAB or Hollywoodbets, understanding how to start sports betting and the different bets available is key to becoming a successful punter.
The most common types of sports bets in South Africa include:
1. Moneyline Bets / Outright winner: These are the simplest form of betting, and involve predicting which team will win a match. The odds will reflect the probability of the team winning.
2. Point Spread Bets: Also known as handicap betting, point spread bets involve predicting which team will win a match by a certain number of points. The bookmaker will give a team a “head start”, making it easier to predict the outcome.
3. Over/Under Bets: Commonly known as totals betting, over/under bets involve predicting whether the total score in a match will be above or below a certain number. This number will be set by the bookmaker. Example over 2.5Goals meaning you get two options to bet Over 2.5 or under 2.5 so you have the choice do you think the match will have more then 2 goals or less?
4. Accumulators / Multi / Yankee Bets: Parlay bets involve combining multiple selections from separate games into one single bet to get bigger odds. All predictions must be correct for you to receive a payout.
Tips for Success
Tip 1: Research and Learn: Sports betting can be complicated and costly if you just jump in with big bets and no research or tools to help you, so it’s crucial to educate yourself as much as possible well just for the start. Stay up to date with the latest news and use sports betting guides to understand the different types of bets available. Doing this will help you maximize your chances of success and know what to bet.
Tip 2: Start Slow: It’s important to take it slow when it comes to sports betting. Start with small bets and gradually build up your confidence before increasing the amount you bet. This way, if you do lose, you won’t be hit too hard.
Tip 3: Know Your Limits: Setting limits on the amount you bet each day is crucial in sports betting. Stick to these limits and take a break if you find yourself going over them. Knowing when to stop is key to maintaining control over your betting and avoiding financial losses.
Tip 4: Have Fun: Remember, sports betting should be enjoyable! Don’t let the pressure of winning take away from the fun and the sport you enjoy. Place your bets, sit back, and enjoy the game.
By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to a successful and enjoyable sports betting experience.