All about Betting Tipsters

Handicapping can be a lot of fun and quite rewarding, but for the part-time punter, it is almost impossible to keep up with all of the news and variables that can affect multiple events. That’s where the advice of betting tipsters can come in handy. As professional sports analysts, they can steer bettors toward the best value propositions, point out easily missed opportunities and warn against potential betting disasters.

Most visible among tipster services are those that specialise in football. They are offered through leading betting services, online or off, and employ handicappers who are dedicated full time to their task, keeping up with all of the happenings in the wide world of football. The most reliable tipsters combine personal knowledge of the sport with computer programmes that are updated automatically with the latest stats and player performance data.

Although many football tipster sites are free, offering a limited number of recommended picks, others charge a fee and can customise their advice for customers. Prices can vary from €1 to €4 per tip. Keep in mind, of course, that whatever amount is paid for information must be factored into the betting to ensure that costs are recouped.

Some tipsters offer bonuses, such as free trial periods, 2-for-1 tips or a free tip with every three purchased. It is also not unusual for a fee-service tipster to offer “guaranteed” picks. If the tip doesn’t pay out as forecast, the tipster will credit the bettor’s account with the value of the next tip or offer a fee-free tip as compensation. Eventually, a winner will be produced, but again the cost of lost wagers up to that point must be taken into consideration.

Paying a monthly or seasonal fee for a tipster service can be an easy way to receive a constant flow of information and recommendations. The going rate in the U.K., for example, is on the order of £99.95 per season. But the accuracy of the tips should be carefully evaluated, ideally in the form of a free trial subscription, before committing to a service long-term. Nobody wants to pay for bad advice.

On the other hand, don’t expect perfection. No betting tipster gets it right every time, and winning every wager should not be expected. A betting yield on the order of 5~10 percent is a reasonable target over the course of a season.

One good strategy for using tipster services is to undertake handicapping on one’s own and then use the tips only for comparison. It is unwise to rely on a tipster’s predictions alone. Alternatively, accessing a mix of free and paid services may allow comparisons, too. And if a service is underperforming, don’t hesitate to switch to another mid-season if that’s what’s required to earn a satisfactory return on investment.

Apart from football, betting tipsters can be found for tennis, basketball, cricket and other sports. Tip sheets are usually available for horse races, too, both free and on a paid basis. Specialised services may be better informed and more trustworthy than general ones, and though the larger ones may have more resources at their disposal, smaller ones can provide just as much profit per pound when the right handicapper is involved.

A rather recent trend on the Internet is tipster web sites inviting bettors to share their own tips on an amateur basis and compete for status from rookie to pro. Again, both fee and free versions are available, with some being more serious than others. Collectively, the tips can be expected to be no better or worse than the knowledgeability of the persons who contribute.

Published on: 01/07/2013

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