Day 3 of December is officially upon us and our Bet Basics Advent Calendar has gotten off to about as good a start as we could’ve possibly hoped. Two days in and two winners. It’s said that everything comes in threes and much like yesterday’s discussion on seconds, there are some great trios out there to talk about today.
The Miami Heat’s original “Big 3” comes to mind as well as the Celtics from the late 2000’s or the Spurs in the late 90’s all the way through the mid-2010’s.
Outside of sports, three has long been regarded as the magic, or perfect, number. The ability to remember is enhanced by grouping things in threes. The ancient Greek philosopher, Pythagoras, believed as such too, saying that it’s the symbol of harmony, wisdom, and understanding. After all, they named the famous math formula, “Pythagorean theorem” after him, so Pythagoras must know a thing or two, or three.
So whether you enjoy neapolitan ice cream, combining three of the most basic flavors, or “Three’s Company”, or even “The Three Stooges,” just know you might be upset with what we have in store for you today. Here’s a hint, we aren’t giving you a winning pick.
Day 3 – Know when to stay away
Normally when you’re on a roll, the best thing to do is keep going until the wheels fall off. However in sports betting, there is no indicator for that. We don’t have the luxury of those warning lights on the dashboard to give us a heads up. So we must be smart. The first and second day of December has been awfully kind to us, finishing both of them in the green.
Yet after looking at the NBA slate today, let’s just say that viewer discretion is advised. It’s an ugly one, with too much blowout potential for my liking. In that case, we take the day off and hope you do the same. Save the money. The NFL will be back tomorrow.
Managing the bankroll is the single most important thing about betting on sports, or anything. Think of it as working with a budget. You might like to go out and buy expensive things, but if you don’t have a plan on how to spend it, well, you might not have a roof over your head for long. We like to have a good time here, and we hope that you do the same. But we can’t have fun together if there is no balance in your account.
Be smart. Take days off. There is nothing in the rulebook that says you have to gamble every day, in fact, please don’t do that at all. Whether you’re just starting out, or have been betting for years, it’s important to always play within your means and remember, sports are supposed to be fun. If betting on sports is ruining your mood, then walk away. We’ll still be here when you get back.
And trust me when I say this, don’t ever let the fear of missing out take over. You cannot and should not bet everything. Trust your eyes, and learn about the sport you’re putting the money on. Don’t let any “expert” be in control.
We always like to say around here that you can buy gifts for the holidays or just about anything you can possibly dream of with the winnings, but that’s all in good fun. Don’t have that mindset. As crazy as it sounds, always assume any money you wager is instantly lost. Then if you win anything, take some and put it off to the side. Buy something with it. Take a few dollars out of the bank and hold it in your hands, otherwise it’s just numbers on a screen.
You’ll see me end plenty of articles with the following words, “Happy betting and please play responsibly.” They are words to live by in this industry. The only way to stay in the game is by being responsible, but don’t forget to have some fun along the way.
As the great Kenny Rogers once sang, “You’ve got to know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em, know when to walk away, and know when to run.”
We’ll see you tomorrow.