Making A Million From Sports Betting Challenge – March, April, May, June Results

Making a Million Challenge – Mid-2025 Update

It’s been a couple of months since the last update, and here we are already halfway through 2025 (time flies, doesn’t it?). Let’s dive into the latest results and see how things have been shaping up over the past few months.

Making A Million

Value Betting Results

The last two months have brought a much-needed upswing in value betting results. This strategy involves a mix of bets placed on both bookmakers and exchanges, with the majority of volume going through a 0% commission Smarkets account and Betdaq. On the bookmaker side, I’ve primarily been using Priced Up and Bar One Racing—smaller bookmakers that still allow me to get bets down.

Profit:£6095

(Staking to win £100-£150 per bet).

It’s nice to see value betting bring in some decent profits in the last two months as there has been a long stretch where it pretty much broke even. Looking over my longer term results value betting has made around £8.5k profit over a 12 month period of time. Which really highlights the volatile nature of value betting and the need for a long term outlook.

Value betting covers quite a few methods but they are all based on beating the closing odds or backing odds that are inflated.

UFC Betting
Football Boosts
Horse Racing Boosts
Tilt The Odds Selections (Read the review)

Horse Racing Betfair Strategy Results

The horse racing system on Betfair has made steady profits over the last four months and I’m now staking £10 per selection (£5 at odds available, £5 at SP). It focuses on horses odds at 6.0 or above and is pretty up and down as you can see from the graph below.

Profit: £442

(Staking £10 per bet).

Horse Racing on Betfair

Not a lot to report here, I have been backing some selection on bookmakers if better prices are available or I am having to offer up back bets on the exchanges. However I record these results under value bets and this section if for the Betfair bets only. I average around 10 – 20 selections a day with this method on an active day of racing.

Sharp Betting Football Results

The newest strategy that I added to my betting portfolio was Sharp betting football (backing selections on the exchanges). I was quietly confident that this would turn out to be a profitable strategy in the long term as I really liked everything about about the people behind the product and its long term results looked very promising. My results over a three month period however were not profitable.

Results: -£158

(Staking £10 per bet)

Sharp betting football results

While I considered continuing with this strategy, it was quite time-consuming, and with limited hours in the day, I decided to put it on hold. If I manage to open some new bookmaker accounts in the future, I might revisit this strategy using bookmakers exclusively.

Golf Betting

In June I started place golf bets using a strategy from the Betting Mastermind service. This works pretty well as I have have a few bookmaker accounts that offer good terms and are allowing me to take some value out of the markets. This is also offered as a standalone service for those that asked, if you are interested in it you can click here.

Profit: £278

Golf Betting

Previously, I tried betting on golf through the exchanges but didn’t see any success. I even followed a tipster who had been profitable every year—except for the one year I followed them! This new system from Betting Mastermind seems much more reliable, and I plan to stick with it as long as my bookmaker accounts remain active.

Final Thoughts – Vindication

The last few months have felt like vindication for sticking with betting. Profit for the first six months of 2025 has already surpassed last year’s 12-month total (£6,788), which was my worst year to date. For context, previous years have typically brought in £20k+ profits. If this year had been another poor one, I might have seriously considered shifting my focus elsewhere (I hear gigolo work pays well…).

It’s not been a case of radically altering things, again its just simple trying to get down on value bets as often as possible. The key is to be able to ride through the downswings and break even stretches knowing that what you are doing does win in the long term.

Here’s to a strong finish to 2025!

Daily Results

Total Made Mar/April/May/June 2025

Total = +£7247

Overall Profit Since The Challenge Began (99 Months Ago!)

+£199,411

Recommended Services Used

Oddsmonkey (Value Betting) – Free Trial and Review

Tilt The Odds (Value Betting) – Free Trial and Review

Sharp Betting Football Bets Review (Exchange Betting)

Football betting is notoriously challenging, especially when focusing on the world’s most popular leagues. SharpBetting.co.uk seeks to change the game with a service tailored for both beginners and seasoned bettors. According to its creators, the system has already generated over £100,000 in profit a claim that immediately piqued my interest. As someone always on the lookout for innovative strategies and fresh angles in sports betting, I couldn’t resist diving in to explore what this platform has to offer.

What is Sharp Betting?

Sharp Betting is a platform dedicated to helping sports bettors turn a profit in the competitive betting markets. Covering a range of sports like football, boxing, and horse racing, the site offers insightful articles alongside paid software designed to identify value bets in the football and horse racing markets. In this review, we’ll focus exclusively on the paid service and the football bets it highlights, diving into how it works and whether it delivers on its promise.

How Does The Football Bets Software Work?

The football bets software is incredibly easy to use. It highlights bets that its algorithm has flagged as value, indicates the bookmaker and odds that are value. There two different types of value bets.

Red Value Bets – Strongest value bets
Blue Value Bets – Smaller value bets

These can be backed as single bets or combined in multiples to increase the overall value.

The selections come in a number of different markets:

BTTS (Most Common)
Over/Unders
Match Odds (Least Common)

In terms of bookmakers, sharp betting football covers 12 different bookmakers. Some selections however are available with the betting exchanges and also other bookmakers which are not covered by the software but you can sometimes find better odds manually searching for the selections (if the bookmaker/exchange is not on the software).

Sharp Betting Success Stories

SharpBetting showcases several success stories from users who have leveraged their software to achieve impressive results. One standout example is David, who turned 100 hours of betting into £8,000 profit (6000 bets). Similarly, Leah’s journey from a football betting novice to earning £7,500 highlights the software’s potential for profitability. However, the true test lies in the results we achieve during this review, which will ultimately determine the platform’s overall rating.

David's Sharp Betting Football Results — Davids Results Using The Strategy

My Results After 3 Month

I’ve been using the Sharp Betting software for three months now. During this time, I’ve placed a total of 1527 bets. For the purpose of this review, I’ve used £10 stakes for bets with odds up to 6.0, and £5 stakes for odds above 6.0. While the majority of selections fall below odds of 6.0, there are occasional higher odds picks included. In the review I will be sticking to single bets and have placed all bets on the exchanges at either matching or above those quoted on Sharp Betting (including the commission).

I should note that the sharp betting football selections are intended for soft bookmakers, having seen the amount of selections that were available on the exchanges I decided to test it purely on selections available with Betfair.

Let’s take a look at results after three months!

Total bets: 1527
Month 1 P/L: – £158

After three months of betting and over 1500 selections we ended up with a loss. The software does generate a high volume of selections, however with the big summer leagues ending the amount of bets available on the exchanges in June was minimal. After two months we were back to break even after being down -£530 at one point in the trial. Unfortunately the lack of selections available on the exchanges and poor results in the last month saw the trial ending in a loss.

First Thoughts on Sharp Betting Football Bets

There is a lot I like about Sharp betting football bets and in the future I may run a review betting solely with the bookmakers (which is where the stated profits have been made). Although there were a lot of bets available on the exchanges at matching odds or higher, this review suggests that a lot of the value comes from selections that are only backable with bookmakers. This may not be the case and it could be that we just went through a tough period of variance in this review, a bigger sample size would perhaps confirm this.

If you’ve tried the software yourself, let me know how it has been going. I’d be very interested in your results, especially if you have largely used the bookmakers to place your bets.

Related: Best Matched Betting Software

Short Odds Sports Betting Strategy – Double Your Money!

When it comes to sports betting, not every strategy is about going for the big win. Some of the most consistent profits come from the smaller consistent bets that add up over time. That’s what we’re going to focus on today: short odds betting. It’s not flashy, but if executed with discipline, it’s a reliable way to build your bankroll over time.
I’ve been betting for over a decade, and while I love a calculated long shot as much as the next trader, there are profits to be made from short odds strategies that should not be over looked. Those strategies are designed to leverage probabilities in your favor and build consistency.

Let me show you why this approach matters, how it works, and most importantly, how you can execute it like a pro.

What Is Short Odds Betting?

Short odds betting, as the name suggests, refers to betting on outcomes that are highly likely to happen. These could include things like a top-seeded tennis player winning their match or a favourite football team defeating an underdog. Typically, short odds bets range between 1.10 (1/10) to 1.50 (1/2). The payouts aren’t huge, but the likelihood of success makes this strategy attractive for those that like to win more often then not.

That said, short odds betting comes with its own set of challenges. Backing every single short odds selection is not going to be profitable, we still need to be able to find consistent value with our bets. Discipline and studious research are vital here if you want to win long term.

Why Focus on Short Odds?

There have been numerous studies into betting at different odds ranges that have shown that blindly betting at shorter odds generally is much better then backing outsiders. There is an excellent article from Pinnacle on the favourite-longshot bias that highlights this in the tennis betting markets. It shows the results you would have attained from backing at every different odds range from 2011 to 2015 in the ATP and WTA.

What you may notice is that the shorter odds selections with higher win expectancy (1.01 to 1.2) had much better returns in comparison to long shot bets. Although not profitable these were not cherry picked selections but were results to blindly backing all selections. There have been other studies that have shown the same occurs in football betting markets with bookmakers offering much fairer odds on short odds selections.

Profiting From Short Odds Betting Example

Watch this video on YouTube

Recently I made a video about using a short odds betting strategy (view above) to double my money using a rollover betting strategy. This involved backing selections at short odds and rolling over my stake and winnings onto the next bet until I either doubled my money or lost. The aim of this video and challenge was to see if I could find value at shorter odds and employ a smart betting strategy in order to profit. The starting bankroll for this challenge was £100.

Date	Selection	Odds	P/L	Bankroll
06/07/25	Bosnia (In-play)	1.2	20	120
06/09/25	Over 0.5 goals (Italy vs Moldova In-play)	1.07	8	128
15/06/25	Rose Namajunas (UFC)	1.46	59	187
29/06/25	Jake Paul (Boxing)	1.2	TBD	225 (if wins) 0 (if loses)

This challenge is still to be determined and whether it wins or loses is really irrelevant, the idea of the video was to show how shorter odds betting can be approached with value in mind.

The Fundamentals of a Successful Short Odds Strategy

Short odds betting isn’t about blindly picking the favorite and hoping for the best. Like any strategy, preparation and execution make all the difference.

1. Research Is Everything

Before placing any bet, think about this question: “What do I actually know about this outcome?” It’s not enough to bet on a heavily favoured team because the odds suggest they’ll win. A team’s form, injuries, weather conditions, and even motivation to win each game matter. The reasoning to place any bet should be because you believe there is value in the current odds. Conor Mcgregor vs Floyd Mayweather is often quoted as one of the best value bets of the last 20 years why?

Come fight time Mayweather was close to odds of 1.2 suggesting an 83% win chance. Most sharp sports bettors however knew that his true probability was much higher, probably around 95%, which is why it was such a huge value bet. The true odds should have been around 1.05.

2. Bankroll Management

Short odds strategies still require excellent bankroll discipline. The small payouts mean you need a larger stake to generate meaningful profits if you are using single bets, if you are using a rollover strategy again you still must be patient. Betting 50% of your bankroll on a 1.20 odds bet might win this time, but it only takes 2 losses wipe you out.
I use a fixed staking plan for my short odds bets, typically wagering between 2% to 5% of my bankroll depending on the odds range. This keeps the risk manageable while allowing steady, long-term growth.

3. Avoid Chasing Losses

The biggest trap in betting—short odds or otherwise—is chasing losses. After losing a bet, it’s tempting to increase your stake on the next wager to recover losses quickly. This is where the wheels come off for most bettors. Keep your head and apply a disciplined approach knowing that in the long term betting value wins!

4. Don’t Overbet

A common mistake I see beginners make is placing dozens of short odds bets on a single day. Scattergun betting is a recipe for disaster. The quality of your bets will drop, and you’ll burn out quickly. Focus on finding the highest value bets possible, if there isn’t any for that day or week that’s fine. Quality beats quantity every time.

5. Track Your Results

If you aren’t tracking your bets, you’re leaving money on the table. Diligent record-keeping helps you identify patterns, strengths, and weaknesses in your strategy. Personally, I use a simple spreadsheet that includes:

The sport
The event
The type of bet (e.g., moneyline, spread)
Odds
Stake
Outcome (win/loss)
Profit or loss

This data helps me analyze which sports or betting markets I perform best in and adjust accordingly.

The Long-Term Benefits of Short Odds Betting

Short odds bets won’t make you rich overnight. What they will do is give you a structured, disciplined approach to sports betting. Over time, they can form the foundation of a profitable portfolio.
By focusing on the probabilities and making betting decisions rooted in logic. Many sports bettors over look short odds betting as it isn’t exciting but you know what is exciting- making money long term.

Final Thoughts

Short odds betting might not have the excitement of backing a 26.00 underdog, but it’s a strategy that rewards patience, discipline, and research. If you want to transition from casual bettor to consistent earner, this is one of the best ways to start. Track your results, learn from your mistakes, and above all, keep your expectations grounded.
Whether you’re aiming for a secondary income or simply want to be a smarter bettor, a strong foundation in short odds strategies will give you the tools to succeed.

Betting Mastermind Review 2025 (Worth The Money?)

When you’re venturing into the world of sports betting, one of the biggest challenges is sifting through the noise to find tools and strategies that actually work. Betting Mastermind, created by Mike Cruickshank, promises to deliver a complete suite of resources to make betting both profitable and sustainable. I’ve had a chance to explore what this package offers, and here’s my take on it.

Watch this video on YouTube

What Does Betting Mastermind Include?

Right off the bat, Betting Mastermind impresses with the sheer variety of tools it provides. Mike hasn’t held back here. The package features 15 individual tools, each designed to target a specific betting opportunity. They cover both bookmaker strategies and betting exchanges.

Betting Mastermind

Below are some of the highlights!

Bookmaker Tools and Strategies

Bonus Bagging
Ideal for beginners, this tool helps you profit from bookmaker sign-up offers. It’s straightforward, with clear steps to make risk-free cash. This is where most people start, and for good reason.
Profit Maximiser
Once you’ve gotten the hang of Bonus Bagging, Profit Maximiser takes things up a notch. This tool focuses on ongoing promotions and reload offers, providing a daily opportunity to grow your bankroll.
Each Way Sniper
If horse racing is your thing, Each Way Sniper is fantastic. It identifies value in each-way bets, essentially guaranteeing profits regardless of how the race turns out.
Acca Finder
Accumulators can be a risky strategy, but this tool flips the script. It pinpoints value in acca bets, helping you lock in consistent returns.
Bookie Blowout
Simple tool that focuses on overpriced horse racing selections. Can be used for value betting or arbitrage.
Golden Parachute
Software that highlights horse races that can be exploited using a clever strategy that takes advantage of the best odds guaranteed offer.
2UP Betting System
Football software that pinpoints value with bookmakers that offer the 2UP promotion (two goals ahead)
EWS Advanced Algo
Horse racing software that highlights value with bookmakers in the each way markets.
20 Minute System
Unique Golf betting software that pinpoints value with bookmakers in the each way markets.
Lucky 15 Maximiser
Software that find value with bookmakers for lucky 15 bets in the horse racing markets.
Price Boost Matcher
Highlights bookmaker boosts which are plus EV for value betting or arbitrage purposes.

20 Minute Golf System — 20 Minute Golf Betting System

Betting Exchange Strategies

Betfair Renegade
This is value betting software that highlights value bets on the betting exchanges, the majority of selections are on Betfair but it can be used on other exchanges.
Betfair Sniper
A trading strategy that can be used on the daily horse racing markets, it outline specific to follow in order to find the best opportunities.
Insiders System
Another horse racing system that looks at finding value with higher priced horse racing selection, which can then be layed at shorter odds later in the day.
Betfair 1% Club
Low risk football trading strategy that can be used on high liquidity football games when certain scenarios are met.

Betting Mastermind Results

Obviously with 15 different systems there is a lot to look at with the Betting Mastermind product. The Bonus Bagging and Profit Maximiser tools allow you to profit from bookmaker and casino offers. This is something that I have used myself over many years to make tens of thousands of pounds in profit over the years. It covers matched betting and advantage gambling in a similar mould to Oddsmonkey. It is proven to work and is a core part of the package, however it is the advanced value betting systems that will be of interest to most reading this review.

Then there are multiple value betting systems that are available, which can also be used for arbitrage (lock in low risk profits). Let’s take a look at some of the profits obtained from these systems from independent review sites.

Each Way Sniper (Horse Racing)

Stakes = £5

Profit = £544.13

Review Website – Goal Profits

Betfair Renegade (Exchange Only Betting)

Stakes = £1

Profit/Loss =£233

Review Website – Honest Betting Reviews

20 Minute System (Golf)

Stakes = £1

Profit/Loss =£302

Review Website – Honest Betting Reviews

EW Sniper — The Each Way Sniper Software

When it comes to the bookmaker systems they all value based systems that will win in the long term, based on solid mathematics which are a foundation for anyone that is looking to profit from sports betting markets. The Betfair strategies are a little less straight forward and they rely on an individuals understanding and timing. This means that results will be different for each individual that uses them.

Betting Mastermind Cost

The overall cost of Betting Mastermind is £450 for a year which is split into 3 monthly payments of £150. After a year there is then a £100 fee if you want to continue using the software for a further year (every year after is also £100). This may seem expensive to some at first look however compared to other value betting software providers it actually works out much cheaper. Betting Mastermind also offers unique additional strategies and tools that other providers do not have.

Name	Annual Cost	Additional Software
Betting Mastermind	£450	Betfair Renegade, Betting Exchange Strategies, 20 minute system, Golden Parachute
Oddsmonkey (Value Betting)	£999	N/A
Trademate Sports	£1440	N/A

Conclusion

Betting Mastermind is a service that offers a huge variety of ways to make money from the bookmakers, many of which I have used myself to make consistent profits. My focus on this review going forward will be to test out the Betfair exchange strategies and utilize the golf betting systems with bookmaker I have available and also in betting shops. I will continue to update this review with my results going forward.

UFC Announces Three Huge Title Fights: Betting Odds Already Announced

UFC Stadium

Australian sensation Jack Della Maddalena turned the fighting world on its head at UFC 315. Heading into his first-ever welterweight title fight, the Aussie was a narrow underdog for his clash against Belal Muhammad, a man who had won his last ten fights on the spin, including a victory over Leon Edwards to claim the 170-pound title. Many thought that the champion would out-wrestle the challenger en route to yet another decision victory, but JDM had other ideas.

Della Maddalena’s striking had never been questioned, and that was on full display in his maiden title tilt in Montreal. However, it was his underrated takedown defense that truly shone. Time and again, the 28-year-old stuffed Muhammad’s takedown efforts, and when he was successful, the Australian got back to his feet almost instantly. Then, when both strikers were standing, JDM took the fight to the champion, peppering away with some lethal combinations that “Remember the Name” simply had no answer for.

The welterweight title fight ultimately went the distance, and the judges awarded Della Maddalena a deserved unanimous decision victory. But the win has completely transformed the landscape of the UFC.

JDM has dethroned Belal 😱
Who’s next for Giacomo? #UFC315
pic.twitter.com/1fhKgXHv52
— Bovada (@BovadaOfficial) May 11, 2025

JDM First Title Defence Announced

UFC lightweight champion and pound-for-pound Islam Makhachev stated that he would make a huge announcement depending on the result at UFC 315, but nobody truly knew what that meant. Well, that all became clear following JDM’s victory, as the Dagestani wrestling supremo announced that he would be vacating his 155-pound title and moving up in weight to challenge the newly minted welterweight champion.

Online sports betting sites reacted quickly, and odds for the clash – pencilled in for UFC 320 – have already been posted. The latest odds from Bovada’s sports betting site make Della Maddalena a +170 underdog for the upcoming clash despite his status as the belt holder. Makhachev, meanwhile, comes in as the -200 favorite, with the bookies seemingly undeterred by him moving up in weight. But it isn’t just the welterweight division that has had a massive shake-up.

Ilia Topuria Secures Lightweight Title Shot

One man who will be unhappy to see Makhachev move up in weight is former featherweight champion Ilia Topuria. El Matador shot to prominence throughout 2024 with back-to-back knockout victories against icons Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway to claim the championship at 145 pounds and improve his record to 17-0. He then vacated the featherweight strap and clamored for a lightweight title shot against the fearsome Dagestani.

The champion, however, was unmoved. He repeatedly stated that he didn’t feel Topuria deserved a title shot and instead must beat a genuine top five lightweight before becoming the number one contender. Ultimately, both men got their wish, but while the Georgia-born Spaniard does have his title shot at 155 pounds, it won’t be against Makhachev.

The UFC has just announced that Topuria will receive a shot at the vacant lightweight title against former champion Charles Oliveira, the man that Makhachev defeated to become champion back in October 2022. The bout is set to go down at UFC 317, and the bookies make Topuria a short-priced -330 betting favorite to become a two-weight world champion, with Oliveira a +265 underdog to reclaim the gold.

While the upcoming bout is sure to be a blockbuster, it remains unclear as to where we stand on a potential clash between Topuria and Makhachev. The undefeated Matador was quick to turn to social media and call out the former champion for seemingly ducking him. He will need to win this clash against Oliveira and see Makhachev lose his welterweight title bout against JDM for a clash between the two Caucasus rivals to come to fruition.

Khamzat Chimaev Finally Gets His Title Shot

UFC fans were already salivating at the news of those two huge fights being penciled into the calendar. Little did they know, they were in for a third blockbuster announcement to put a bow on a stacked summer schedule. At UFC 319 in Chicago, the fearsome Khamzat Chimaev will finally receive a middleweight title shot against reigning champion Dricus Du Plessis in a clash that will surely garner all the headlines.

The Chechen sensation remains undefeated in the UFC, and his dominant victories against the likes of Kamaru Usman, Kevin Holland, and Gilbert Burns proved that he was a man to be feared. However, it was his most recent victory against Robert Whittaker last October that put him on another level. The former middleweight champion was expected to be Chimaev’s biggest test, but he was duly dispatched with a vicious first-round submission that resulted in The Reaper suffering a broken jaw.

Current middleweight king Dricus Du Plessis, meanwhile, has been on a tear of his own. Two victories against Sean Strickland, as well as wins against Israel Adesanya and Robert Whittaker, secured him as the man to beat at 185 pounds, and following the most recent of those victories, he made it clear that he wished to defend the gold against one man: Chimaev.

Well, now he gets his wish. The bookies make DDP a surprising +155 underdog for the upcoming clash, with the challenger a -180 favorite in his maiden title challenge. Will the South African manage to retain the strap, or will it be the Chechen who ascends the middleweight throne?

4 Beginner’s Horse Racing Betting Strategies That Really Work!

Horse racing is a sport that offers a lot of opportunity to make profit for those with a little knowledge. But for beginners, the betting landscape can feel overwhelming. Where do you start? How do you minimize risks while giving yourself the best chances of winning?

This beginner’s guide will provide you with 4 simple horse racing betting strategies that really work. We’ll explore essential strategies such as leveraging Best Odds Guaranteed (BOG) promotions, Each Way Sniping and using innovative tools like Tilt the Odds. By the end of this guide, you’ll walk away with the confidence to bet smarter and the knowledge to increase your chances of success responsibly.

Horse Racing Profits

The Basics of Horse Racing Betting

Before jumping into advanced strategies, it’s essential to understand the basics. Horse racing bets generally fall into two primary categories:

Win Bet – You bet on a horse to win the race outright.
Each-Way Bet – A combination of two bets, one for the horse to win and the other for the horse to place (usually second or third, depending on the race).

Once you’re familiar with these concepts, it’s time to implement strategies designed to optimize your chances of making a profit.

Strategy 1: Take Advantage of Best Odds Guaranteed (BOG)

What Is BOG?
Best Odds Guaranteed is a promotion offered by many bookmakers. It means that if you back a horse at a particular price, but its odds drift higher before the race starts, you’ll get paid at the higher odds if your horse wins. It is one of the simplest and easiest ways to start profiting from horse racing betting!

How to Use This Strategy:

Choose Bookmakers with BOG Offers: Many well known bookmakers, such as Bet365 and Ladbrokes, provide BOG promotions. Make sure to check their terms and activation times (some start at 8 AM on race day others at 10.00 AM).
Back and Lay Bets: To use this strategy effectively, you can back a horse with a bookmaker and simultaneously place a lay bet on the betting exchange at similar odds. This guarantees you break even if the odds remain unchanged. But if the odds drift and your horse wins, you’ll cash in a risk-free profit thanks to the BOG promotion.
Focus on Favorite Selections: Bookmaker often adjust horses with shorter odds in much smaller increments, making them a better choice for this strategy.
You back a horse at odds of 4.0 (£10 stake). If the odds drift to 5.0 and your horse wins, your payout increases from £40 to £50, thanks to the BOG promotion.

BOG Example

Example:
You back a horse at odds of 3.75 (£10 stake). If the odds drift to 5.0 and your horse wins, your payout increases from £27.50 to £40, thanks to the BOG promotion. A profit of £12.50 would be made from zero risk.

BOG is an excellent low-risk strategy, but to maximize results, volume is key. Be sure to operate across multiple races and bookmakers offering BOG.

Watch this video on YouTube

Strategy 2: Find Value With Software (Tilt the Odds)

What Is Tilt the Odds?
Tilt the Odds is a software tool that uses advanced algorithms to identify value bets in horse racing markets. It analyzes bookmaker odds, exchange data, and other variables to determine bets with the highest chances of success or value.

How It Works:

Value Percent (VP) and Quality Score (QS): The software assigns each selection a VP and QS. These metrics are based on real-time data and help bettors identify which bets have the best value.
Bet Types: You can use the software for different bets, including singles, doubles, and Lucky 15s, depending on your preferred level of risk and potential returns.
Long-Term ROI: Tilt the Odds has consistently shown a return on investment (ROI) of around 17% for Lucky 15 bets and about 5% for single bets.

Tilt The Odds Results — Our results using Tilt The Odds

Example:
The software flags a horse available at odds of 7.0 with a VP indicating undervaluation. By placing a stake on this selection, you are effectively taking advantage of market inefficiencies.

Why It Works for Beginners:
Tilt the Odds removes much of the guesswork by providing data-backed recommendations. It’s a great way to learn the discipline of value betting while building confidence in your approach.

Watch this video on YouTube

Strategy 3: Matched Betting with Extra Places

What Are Extra Places?
Extra places are special offers where bookmakers increase the number of places they pay out on. For example, a race might traditionally pay out on the top 3 finishers, but a bookmaker might enhance this to 4 or even 5 places.

How to Use This Strategy:

1.Targeting Extra Places:

Back a horse with the bookmaker and place lay bets on the exchange for both the win market and the place market.
Profit when your selected horse lands in the extra place (e.g., finishes 4th instead of 1st, 2nd, or 3rd).

2.Arbing the Place Market:

Some betting exchanges offer place markets with odds higher than bookmaker odds. By leveraging these differences, you can guarantee small, consistent profits regardless of the race outcome.

3.Covering the Field:

This advanced technique involves betting on multiple horses in a race to maximize your chances of landing an extra place profit. Use high-profile races, where liquidity and bookmaker offers are abundant.

Extra Place Strategy

Example:
You place a £5 bet on a horse at 10/1 with an enhanced 4-place offer. If the horse finishes 4th, you win the extra place payout from the bookmaker while breaking even on your exchange bets.

This strategy is particularly popular during festivals like Cheltenham, where extra place offers are plentiful.

Click Here For Our Review On The Best Extra Place Software

Strategy 4: Each-Way Sniping

What Is Each-Way Betting?
Each-way betting involves two bets – one on a horse to win and another on it to “place” (e.g., finish in the top 3 or 4). This strategy becomes profitable when there are inaccuracies in the place odds calculated by bookmakers.

How to Spot Value:

Look for odds-inflated races, particularly where there’s an odds-on favorite. These races often present opportunities for other horses to have underpriced place odds.
Use comparison tools like Each Way Pro to identify bets with a positive expected value in the place market.
Use automated software such as Each Way Sniper to place the bets.

Advanced Tip: When bookmakers offer extra places in races with long-shot contenders, the place part of each-way bets can provide significant potential payouts with reduced risk.

Example:
A bookmaker offers 5 place terms in a competitive field. You place an each-way bet on a horse at odds of 20/1. If the horse finishes 4th or 5th, the place payout covers your stake and leaves a profit.

Each Way Sniper

For this strategy you can use an automated service to place bets called Each Way Sniper!

Click Here To Learn More

Key Takeaways for Beginners

Start Small: Avoid overextending your bankroll. Begin with small stakes while familiarizing yourself with these strategies.
Track Your Results: Use a simple spreadsheet to monitor which strategies and bets are yielding the best returns.
Learn Responsibly: Never bet more than you can afford to lose, and always treat betting as an investment of time and discipline rather than a quick win.

Final Thoughts

Betting on horse racing is a skill that takes time to develop. By incorporating horse racing betting strategies like Best Odds Guaranteed, Tilt the Odds, extra places, and each-way betting, you’ll position yourself for long-term profits. Remember, the key lies in staying disciplined, taking advantage of promotions, and continually refining your approach.

With the proper mindset, horse racing betting can be a very profitable way to make money online. Now is your chance to put these beginner friendly strategies into practice and start profitting from the world of horse racing betting.

Identifying Key Factors That Influence Club Soccer Match Outcomes

Soccer/Football isn’t just about skill or star players. It’s the small, often overlooked details that can dictate who comes out on top. Ever wondered why underdogs manage to cause upsets or how some teams seem to dominate week in, week out? From injuries and tactics to weather and mentality, countless factors impact the outcome of a football match.

A winning streak can fire up confidence, but tough away conditions can rattle even the best teams. If you want to understand the reasons behind results—not just as a fan but as someone who wants an edge when it comes to betting insights then it’s crucial to dig deeper. Let’s break down the key variables that influence results beyond raw talent.

Team Form and Momentum

When it comes to predicting the result of a football match, a team’s form and momentum can’t be overstated. A side riding the high of a winning streak often performs with greater confidence and cohesion. On the flip side, teams that have suffered a run of poor results can lack rhythm, motivation, or belief, making it harder to turn things around.

That said, momentum isn’t always as simple as looking at the scoreboard. A team that performs well despite losing matches might be closer to a breakthrough than it seems, while another side barely scraping wins may be masking deeper issues in their form.

This is why analysing a team’s recent matches in detail can make a massive difference, especially if you’re placing Club Soccer Bets. Look at around five or ten games to spot key trends. Who’s scoring? Who’s underperforming? How do they handle either trailing or holding onto a lead? These insights can be gold.

Momentum is also tied to other factors. Team morale, major tactical changes, or a star player returning from injury can dramatically shift the trajectory of a season. One good win can be the spark that reignites a team, while one bad loss can send them into freefall. Simply put, form shapes everything in football.

Player Availability and Injuries

It’s impossible to overstate how much injuries can disrupt a team. When key players are sidelined, it forces managers to reshuffle their strategies. This can lead to players adapting to unfamiliar roles, and while it can sometimes yield success, it often comes at the expense of rhythm and consistency on the pitch.

Take Bayern Munich’s goalkeeper situation in 2025, for example. With their first-choice keeper Manuel Neuer out, Jonas Urbig stepped in and delivered solid performances. But that resilience doesn’t always exist. Not every team has that kind of depth, and gaps can be exploited by opponents.

Then there are cases that highlight unexpected adaptability, like Tara McKeown of the Washington Spirit, who successfully switched from being a forward to a centre-back. These shifts aren’t common, though, and teams feeling the strain of constant injuries often slip into a slump. Fatigue, pressure, and psychological effects tend to pile up, adding to the struggle.

Keeping a squad healthy is one of the cornerstones for success. For bettors, getting early updates about major injuries and understanding how teams cope without key players can make a huge difference.

Tactical Approaches and Coaching Styles

Football/soccer tactics are more than just basics like attacking or defending. A manager’s philosophy can shape everything about how a team approaches a game. High-press systems, counter-attacking setups, low blocks… every strategy impacts the flow of play and the likelihood of results.

Successful coaching isn’t just about planning but also the ability to adjust during a game. A team that starts with an aggressive setup might play more conservatively once they take the lead, while sides chasing a result are likely to throw more players forward in the final minutes.

This is why studying Soccer Team Trends This Season trends in team tactics can give you an edge, especially when you’re analysing games to bet on. Some managers stick with rigid systems, while others are more adaptable. Teams that can adjust and respond to different situations are more likely to outperform those that don’t.

Home vs. Away Advantage

Home advantage in football is real, and it’s one of the simplest yet most effective factors to consider. When teams play at home, they enjoy familiar conditions, strong fan support, and avoid the fatigue associated with travel. These elements can often give them a psychological and physical edge.

Take LAFC’s top-seed finish in the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs. Playing at home gave them a huge advantage and bolstered their performance when it mattered most.

Away games tend to be much tougher. Unfamiliar stadiums, jet lag, and the absence of a home crowd can put visiting teams on the back foot. Savvy bettors know just how decisive this factor can be, especially when teams with contrasting home-and-away form face off.

Head-to-Head Records

Lastly, head-to-head records can often tell you more about upcoming fixtures than recent form. Some teams just seem to have the psychological edge over specific opponents. When teams with a strong historical record against a certain opponent step onto the pitch, that confidence shows.

For example, the US men’s national football team has consistently outperformed several CONCACAF sides like Barbados and Grenada. These patterns matter because they’re often rooted in styles of play or historical dominance, and they regularly carry over into future matches.

On the flip side, a team that regularly struggles against a specific opponent might go into the match already doubting their chances. For analysts, spotting these underlying dynamics can provide extra clarity when evaluating potential match outcomes.

Winning in Football: More Than Just Talent

At the end of the day, football success extends well beyond the skill of the players on the pitch. Momentum, player availability, tactics, home advantage, and historical trends play a massive role. If you’re looking to improve how you analyse matches and spot betting opportunities, understanding these factors is a must. Football isn’t just about the action during the 90 minutes; it’s a chess match of preparation, strategy, and adaptability. And that’s what separates winners from the rest.

What Is the Sports Betting Black Market?

The sports betting black market is an unregulated, often illegal segment of the gambling industry that exists outside the oversight of national authorities. It’s vast, complex, and steadily growing, fueled by a mix of technology, consumer demand, and gaps in regulation. But what exactly is the black market, and why should you care? Let’s break it down.

Understanding the Black Market

At its core, the black market includes any gambling activity run by operators without the necessary licensing or approval from local regulators. These can range from international companies operating without domestic licenses to entirely unregulated platforms with no consumer safeguards. For example:

Licensed but flouting national laws: Some operators hold an international license (e.g., from countries like Malta) and continue to take bets from areas where they aren’t locally authorized, like Germany or Sweden. While technically legal in their home jurisdiction, this activity still qualifies as black market behavior.
Weakly regulated or rogue operators: Platforms licensed in jurisdictions with little oversight, like Curaçao. These sites often fail to provide even basic protections for bettors and are rarely held accountable.
Completely unlicensed operators: This category poses the most risk. These platforms operate with zero accountability, often disappearing with winnings or using shady practices like fake games.

Many of these sites prey on vulnerable bettors

The Growth of the Black Market

Over recent years, the sports betting black market has surged. Reports indicate visitor traffic to unlicensed betting sites has risen dramatically, sometimes outpacing growth in the legal sector. For example, from 2021 to 2024, unlicensed sites saw traffic increases of up to 522%. This explosion is particularly concerning as the UK government seeks to implement tighter regulations, such as affordability checks.

One unintended consequence of stricter rules is that they may drive bettors who want fewer restrictions toward unlicensed platforms. A survey by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) found that 1 in 10 bettors now use the black market, with many more willing to leave the regulated space if their options become too limited.

The reasons behind the shift are simple. Black market operators often offer higher betting limits, better odds, and simple verification processes. This appeals to bettors frustrated by stringent regulations, creating a perfect storm for the illegal market’s growth.

Why Is the Black Market Growing?

The growth of the sports betting black market is no accident. Several factors, both regulatory and operational, have created an environment where bettors are increasingly seeking alternatives outside the legal framework. Over regulation and restrictive practices by licensed operators are some of the main drivers.

Over-Regulation and Its Consequences

An increasingly strict approach to gambling regulation, including the implementation of measures like affordability checks, has unintentionally funneled bettors toward unregulated platforms. Whilst designed to protect consumers, affordability checks require bettors to provide sensitive financial data, such as bank statements, to assess their ability to gamble responsibly. This level of scrutiny feels invasive to many bettors, particularly those who’ve never experienced gambling related harm (the majority). Bookmakers have also abused these checks in order to withhold money from profitable bettors and deter profitable betting strategies.

For instance, in Britain’s tightened regulatory environment, the introduction of affordability checks has coincided with a steep decline in betting turnover on horse racing, where punters wagered £900 million less in 2024 than in previous years. Some of this gap can be attributed to bettors exploring black market alternatives that impose no such restrictions. Surveys further confirm this trend, with 40% of bettors stating they would consider using unregulated platforms if the legal process became too burdensome.

Betting Black Market — There are many regulated bookmakers that won’t take a bet

The Risks for Bettors

While unregulated betting might seem like a convenient alternative, there are many risks. Here’s what bettors face when venturing into the black market:

Lack of Consumer Protections: Unlicensed platforms are not bound by rules meant to protect users. Payout refusals, delayed withdrawals, and dodgy practices are common. There are countless stories of bettors losing substantial sums or encountering fake games designed to rob them.
Targeting Vulnerable Individuals: Reports have revealed that black market operators actively seek out players excluded from licensed sites due to gambling addictions. For example, some platforms prey on users registered with self-exclusion programs like GamStop, exposing them to harmful betting environments.
Data Privacy Risks: Many of these platforms don’t follow proper data protection standards, putting users at risk of identity theft or misuse of sensitive information.
No Accountability: If something goes wrong, there’s no authority to turn to. Legal operators must adhere to strict standards, offering dispute resolution processes to protect players. Black market players are left to fend for themselves.

The Impact on Sports and the Industry

The black market’s growth doesn’t just harm consumers; it deals a blow to the broader legal betting ecosystem and sports funding. Here’s how:

Revenue Drain: Illegal operators don’t contribute to national tax revenues or industry levies. For example, licensed bookmakers in the UK contribute over £400 million annually to horse racing through sponsorship, media rights, and taxes. Black market operators?…. Zero!
Job Losses: Reduced funding has a direct impact on the viability of sports events, racecourses, and supporting industries. The BHA estimates that the black market has already cost UK racing millions in lost revenue.
Unfair Competition: Unlicensed platforms can offer better odds or promotions simply because they avoid paying taxes or adhering to regulations. This creates an uneven playing field, weakening the appeal of legal operators.

Addressing the Problem

Combating the black market requires a delicate balance. Over-regulation can push consumers toward illegal platforms, while too little allows rogue operators to thrive. The solution lies in:

Proportional Regulation: Policymakers must ensure regulations are balanced so that safe, responsible gambling remains accessible in the regulated market.
Education: Bettors must understand the risks of black market gambling and be encouraged to choose safer, licensed options.
Enforcement: Greater international cooperation is needed to crack down on rogue operators and strengthen weak regulatory frameworks.

Final Thoughts

While the sports betting black market might seem like a hidden corner of the gambling world, its impact is more visible than many realize. The over regulation of licenced bookmakers is something that needs to be addressed otherwise more and more sports bettors will seek alternatives in the black market.

Top UFC Betting Promotions – Acca Boost, Cashback

When it comes to UFC betting, every fight presents a thrilling opportunity. But to get the most out of your bets, you should always be on the lookout for promotions offered by leading bookmakers that can give you an additional edge. Making the most of UFC bookmaker promotions can boost your winnings, reduce your risks, and give you cashback in some instances.

Whether you’re a seasoned professional bettor or just stepping into the octagon of sports betting, taking advantage of these offers is a smart strategy.

Below, we’ve rounded up the best UFC betting promotions currently available, what makes them stand out, and how you can claim them today.

Bet 105 – Split Decision Cashback

What’s on Offer?

Bet 105’s MMA Split Decision Cashback promotion is perfect for UFC bettors looking to soften the blow of a narrow loss. If you have been betting on MMA for long enough then it’s likely you have felt the devastating blow of losing a bet by split decision. The commentators are sure your guy got the job done, your confident he won all three rounds and some incompetent judge or judges give the other fighter the nod…..

If you place a bet on a numbered UFC event or Fight Night and your fighter loses by split decision, you’ll receive 25% of your losses back as a free bet with Bet105.

How to Claim

Bet on any eligible UFC numbered event or Fight Night.
If the fight goes to a decision, and your selected fighter loses by a split decision, you’ll qualify for cashback.
The 25% cashback will automatically be credited to your account as a free bet.

Benefit

Split decisions can be incredibly frustrating for UFC bettors, as they often mean an outcome could’ve gone either way. Bet105 offer very good odds in the UFC markets competitive with most other bookmakers. This cashback offer gives you some additional value and is definitely worth looking at if your focus is betting on MMA.

Bet365 UFC – Accumulator Bonus

What’s on Offer?

Bet365’s Acca Bonus is an exciting promotion that rewards bettors who place accumulator bets across select sports, including UFC. The bonus applies to winning accumulators, depending on the number of selections in your bet slip. You could earn up to a 70% bonus on your payout if your accumulator is successful. This can be done on early odds when the markets are not as sharp, you can combine value selections and benefit from an additional boost.

How to Claim

Log into or create an account with Bet365.
Build your accumulator bet with UFC markets included.
Place your bet as usual and wait for the results. If your bets win, the bonus amount will automatically be added to your payout.

Benefit

The Acca Bonus adds significant value if you’re confident in multiple outcomes. If you can spot early value bets in the market then this promotion is great for squeezing out some additional EV.

Skybet Fight Odds Boosts

What’s on Offer?

Skybet regularly offers boosted odds for select UFC fights. These boosted markets can sometimes offer significant value, particularly when compared to the odds available through betting exchanges and sharp bookmakers. The boosts often apply to the methods of victory markets or over unders.

How to Claim

Log into or create an account with Skybet.
Browse the UFC section or promotions page for the latest odds boosts.
Place your bet on the boosted market before the fight begins to lock in the enhanced odds.

Benefit

The biggest benefit of Skybet’s fight boosts are when they are offering odds that are value in comparison to sharp bookmakers or exchanges. These value bets can then be backed over the long term with a positive expectation or in some scenarios you can lay on the exchanges to make money through sports betting arbitrage.

Conclusion

When it comes to UFC betting promotions, Bet105, Bet365, and Skybet each bring something unique to the table, enhancing your betting experience in different ways. Bet105’s Split Decision Cashback is a safety net for those agonizingly close calls, giving you back 25% of your losses as a free bet if your fighter loses by a split decision. It’s a stress reliever for those moments when the judges’ cards don’t go your way.

Bet365 is worth considering with its Acca Bonus, rewarding bettors who can spot early value and build multiple bets with the chance to boost their winnings significantly.

Skybet, meanwhile, stands out with its boosted odds for selected fights. By offering enhanced prices that sometimes rival or exceed exchange and sharp bookmaker odds. They are certainly worth considering on fight day when prop markets tend to have sharpened and Skybet will often be lagging behind

Each of these bookmakers offers ways to amplify your UFC betting excitement, so take the time to explore their promotions and choose the one that best fits your style. Remember to always bet responsibly and have fun navigating the thrilling unpredictability that betting on cage fights brings.

5 Youtube Sports Betting Channels You Should Watch in 2025

Youtube can be a great source of educational videos, if your looking to improve your sports betting then there is plenty to get stuck in to.

In today’s article we are going to look at five of the of the best sports betting Youtube channels. Which can really help you improve your sports betting and increase your profits.

Top 5 Youtube Sports Betting Channels

Trademate Sports

First up is Trademate Sports one of the early pioneers of sports betting content on Youtube. Trademate’s channel features a variety of videos covering all aspects of sports betting.

My favourite sports betting videos on the Trademate channel and the ones I think that offer the most value, are their interviews with pro sports bettors. Over the years Trademate have interviewed several sports bettors that have made millions in the world of sports betting. Some from Europe and others from the USA.

Whilst they won’t give single little detail of the their operation and give away every little edge. Their is still a lot of value to be found in these interviews.

Covering such subjects as:

Their approaches to betting
Staking approach
Finding new edges
Getting bets down after being limited
Scaling their sports betting operations.

These interviews give an excellent insight into the way a high level sports bettor think and what it takes to achieve success.

One of the founders of Trademate is Jonas Gjelstad. Jonas is a pro sports bettor who managed to turn £10,000 into a £1,000,000 inside a year.

Watch this video on YouTube

Unfortunately Trademate isn’t as active as it once was, however it still worth a look through.

Below are some of my favourite interviews with high level sports bettors that i would recommend.

Pro USA sports bettors podcast

Pro UK based sports bettor podcast

Paulo Rebelo

Next up is a channel that might not be familiar to many of you. Most likely because this is a channel that is made by the very successful Portuguese bettor Paule Rebelo, as such the channel is in Portuguese.

The good news is however that many of the videos are subtitled in English. Which makes them very watchable and a great source of education.

Paulo Rebelo is a football bettor/trader who focuses on using the platform Betfair to make his money. His videos are very well put together, entertaining and always offer some value.

If you are looking to learn more about trading football on Betfair. Then this is a channel that is well worth your time. Rebelo covers several different football betting strategies. Alongside his own betting philosophies and covers how to approach trading on football correctly.

You can visit Paulo Rebelo’s Youtube channel here

Bet Angel

Coming up third on the list is Bet Angel which is run by Peter Webb. Much like Rebelo, Webb is a trader/bettor that focuses on using the exchanges.

Whilst Rebelo sticks to trading/betting on football. Peter Webb produces videos covering several different sports.

Football
Horse Racing
Tennis

Webb’s channel features multiple different strategies, trading philosophy and educational videos. Whichever sport or strategy that you are looking at. It’s very likely that the Bet Angel channel will have something that can help you improve.

You can view the BetAngel channel by clicking here

Smart Betting Club

The Smart Betting Club podcast and Youtube channel have taken over from where Trademate left off. Interviewing many of the worlds top sports bettors.

Their focus is mainly on sports betting tipsters and they have several videos on the channel detailing how to find good tipsters. Along with many of the key factors you should when deciding to follow a tipster.

Historical Results And Proofing
Are Odds Attainable
Liquid Markets

If you are looking at using tipsters as part of your betting portfolio. Then taking a look through the Smart Betting Club’s Youtube channel is certainly a good option.

Caan Berry

Last on our list is one of the most active and respected sports betting YouTubers, Caan Berry. With one of the longest-running channels in the space, Caan has built a reputation for delivering high-quality content with top-notch production values that both educate and entertain.

His videos strike a great balance between practical advice and engaging content. Whether you’re interested in matched betting, value betting, or Betfair trading, Caan’s channel offers valuable insights across these strategies. While his expertise spans various areas of sports betting, his main focus is horse racing trading. He frequently shares live trading sessions, walking viewers through his thought process and offering actionable tips for improving their approach.

Caan’s channel is a must visit for anyone eager to refine their trading skills or gain a deeper understanding of effective strategies. With years of experience and a keen eye for detail, his content consistently helps bettors improve their game.

Visit Caan Berry’s channel here.

Conclusion

Now you’ve got a list of five outstanding sports betting YouTube channels to explore, each offering unique insights and strategies to help you elevate your betting game.

But don’t stop there. At Smart Sports Trader, we’re dedicated to providing practical advice and actionable tips, and our YouTube channel is no exception. We cover everything from football trading to uncovering strategies that can consistently boost your profits. Check out one of our latest videos below, where we walk you through how to make over £100 a day from sports betting. It’s packed with value and could be the game-changer you’ve been looking for.

Watch this video on YouTube