Betting has been a popular pastime, and for some people, professional activity, for quite some time now. People have lived off playing poker or writing guides on how to be better at gambling.

Given gambling’s nature, which often relies on luck as opposed to skill (some games being an exception, like poker or blackjack, which require skill to an extent), guides are often redundant or simply inaccurate. A guide offering you the best Grand National betting tips might help you choose the right strategy and get to know the jockeys and horses taking part in the race, which is something you could’ve done on your own, given enough time and interest.

Here is what you need to know in order to get better at betting, especially if you want to bet responsibly.

There Are no Safe Bets

Every time you place money on a bet, you are by definition betting on an outcome which you cannot influence, where the odds might be in your favor, or against you. Either way, there are no safe bets, so the best betting strategy is to avoid betting completely and turn towards something concrete and where you could easily calculate the wins and losses.

Setting up a Bankroll

If you are determined to try out betting, you should know that there is a way to train yourself to be responsible. Do not be baited into placing small bets all the time. A little money here, a little money there and you end up spending all of it. Spending money is not the worst thing that can happen when you start betting. You might also get addicted, which is an entirely different and more complicated problem. Money can be earned but your brain might not be so easily retrained to new and healthier habits.

Bankrolls are a certain amount of money which you can spend on betting, something which you must not ever exceed.

Stay Away from Shady Bookmakers

While you should have no problem spotting shady brick and mortar bookmakers, online ones are a bit more difficult for newcomers to betting, especially if they have no background in IT or generally browsing and using the internet.

When it comes to online bookmakers, you should do research on each site you plan using. Google has answers, as well as dedicated review sites which review bookmakers and casinos for a living. Watch out for paid reviews, as those exist in any industry, which are a marketing tool and not a real, unbiased review.

Stick to One Sport/Game

Sticking to a single sport or game will prevent you from getting too much information and being overwhelmed. That is one of the most paralyzing feelings, where you no longer have any idea which terms belong to which sports or games. With that in mind, stick to just a single sport or game.

Betting can be dangerous but also entertaining. Stick to the essentials, set up your bankroll and stick to a single sport. Be responsible and you will enjoy betting.