Sports Investing VS Sports Gambling II

It is time for another go on the Sports Investing VS. Sports Gambling debate. This time, we'll deal with the segment in the structure of a FAQ guide.

1. So what exactly is the difference between Sports Gambling and Sports Investing?

Excellent question. It is easy to distinguish the two by using the archetypal examples: the sports gambler as a wild and crazy loon; the sports investor as the calm, cool, and collected individual, not showing much emotion. We write this because it is easier to tell the difference between these two types of people, but the truth falls somewhere in the various shades of gray that surround us...as most truths do.

Sports Investing relies more on historical trends and streaks, utilizing systems developed on cold analysis of numbers. In a way, you can say Sports Investing comes from the head, which means that Sports Gambling comes from the heart. Sports Gambling relies on the gut, on making moves that the head doesn't really believe in (going against the numbers), or maybe placing faith in a rather silly source.

Both, however, dip into the other's realm. Sports Investing routinely calls for gut plays, especially when bank roll is established and riskier plays can be taken--that is when Sports Investing becomes a lot like gambling. For example, on a good night, a handicapper can place 3 or 4 relatively safe wagers and then throw a haymaker to push the account skyward. The safer plays balance out the home run ball, which if it hits, excellent. If not, then whatever.

Sports Gambling, however, generally tries to hit a lot more balls out of the park, which leads to a lot of frustrated swing and misses. Meanwhile, the Sports Investor is spraying singles all over the field, building a lead and maintaining it for the long haul. In the end, this metaphor does the best service between Sports Gambling and Sports Investing.

2. Just tell me the difference in plain English!

All right, all right. Sports Investing places great focus on money management and research. They believe in the long haul. Sports Gambling likes to let it ride, to win big as quick as possible. This generally ends in ruin.

3. What's an example of what you mean?

Well, all right. Tomorrow night the Boston Celtics are playing against the Timberwolves in Minnesota. Boston has lost 17 in a row. Pierce is back. Minnesota has been struggling as of late. Boston plays better on the road than at home. Boston will probably have a spread of around 10 points, as well as being a huge money favorite, +350 or +400 maybe. Maybe not, because a team can't lose forever, can they? So, here is what someone in sports investing would say.

"Well, Pierce coming back will be a huge lift for the Celtics. They are going to play as hard as they can to win this one. They just were embarrassed by the Nets. They play one game on the road and then come back home. They want to enter on some kind of positive note. Recent history suggests a close game. Minnesota's recent play has been less than stellar, having lost to the second worst team, that being Memphis. Interesting."

Then, depending on other factors, other research, the Sports Investor will, according to his money management system, either take the points or go for the home run, but with support from other researched picks, i.e. Cavaliers at home, Dallas over the 76ers, whatever--you never want to jump for the moon without a net. Now, here is what the Sports Gambler thinks.

"Well, Pierce coming back will be a huge lift for the Celtics. They are going to play as hard as they can to win this one. They just were embarrassed by the Nets. They play one game on the road and then come back home. They want to enter on some kind of positive note. Recent history suggests a close game. Minnesota's recent play has been less than stellar, having lost to the second worst team, that being Memphis. Let's go Boston!"

They can use the same reasoning, the same research, but they drop as much as they can on the money line and hope to win big--could they? Very certainly. They also may drop a huge sum on the points as well, but the idea here is that Sports Investing is a system. A net of support designed to steadily increase money, while Sports Gambling makes a run, guns blazing...

3. So Sports Investing is 100% guaranteed to make money?

The sad truth is that the answer is no. I mean, you never know what can happen, it's like any preposition that involves varying degrees of risk. Are there systems guaranteed to make you money 100% of the time? Certainly, but not everyone has the necessary means to utilize the particular systems I am talking about. We here at the Power Position Betting guarantee to make you double your membership fee or you get that month's money back--and that's about the only guarantee you can get. Can we guarantee that the sun will rise tomorrow? No, but we wouldn't advise wagering against it.

Our record speaks for itself. We may not shine as bright as the sun necessarily, but we do shine, and we definitely rise.

4. How much money have you made CollegeBoy?

Now, now, didn't your mother tell you that it's impolite to ask about other people's monetary affairs? Well, if you insist. You must remember that I am a bit thick-headed and do not go along with Power Position Betting's picks all the time. For example, recently they were 4-1 on the night. Me? I was 1-1. Way to pick the winners, right?

What I'm trying to do is, well, to do things my way. I take the lessons I'm learning--slowly I'm learning Pete and Jim, you gotta give me that, slow and steady in all things--and I apply it to my own style of wagering. Is it working? As of last count, of an account beginning with 500 dollars a week and a half ago, I am +300. Should I be higher? Yes. But I'm trying to do things my way, again, like I said. It's all for a book I'm writing that will hopefully help all of you on your way to becoming smarter handicappers.

5. Book? What's it about?

How quick we get off track here. The book will be about dealing with certain frustrations that are due to appear in all beginners. Veterans of sports betting will laugh at me, but since I'm a beginner, I think this book will become an important tool. I go over wagering on favorite teams, systems, how to deal with "failing to pull a trigger," issues of tilt, regret, places to research, methods of research--basically, I'm filling it all up with as much value as possible, and then giving a running diary of six weeks of my wagering/reactions/methods.

As long as I don't bust out, that is, everything should be good value. Although busting out will certainly be a lesson in and of itself. Always look on the bright side, right?

6. Any last words CollegeBoy about sports investing VS sports gambling?

As usual...stay sharp, and play smart.