I contacted Robert Ferringo of Docs Sports to ask him about betting for the the non sports type and I am happy to say my bet that I would get a response paid off because he has joined me for a Candid Conversation. Robert Ferringo, thanks for taking the time to be on Candid Conversations.
Robert Ferringo: No problem. Thank you for the opportunity to communicate with you and your readers.
Robert Ferringo: Well, the first thing that you would need to do is find an outlet for your sports wagers. The best way to do that is to find out what your local sports gambling laws are and what they entail. I am not entirely familiar with Canada’s laws or approach to sports betting at casinos or online – again it’s important for everyone to consult their local and federal laws – but for the sake of this interview I’m going to assume that everything is legal and that it’s copacetic for players to bet on sports in your country.
Cliff T.: Robert, what should people avoid doing when it comes to sports betting, or to put it another way what are the key do and do not do tips you would advise people abide by?
Robert Ferringo: As far as what you should do and don’t do to be successful I could list you 1,000 things! But to keep it basic, here are the keys:
DON’T:
First and foremost I would say is never bet more than you can afford. When done properly, sports betting is a form of investment. And you never want to put down more money than you can afford. You have to be prepared to lose whatever money you are starting with so if you can’t afford it then don’t do it!
The second most important thing that you don’t want to do is that you don’t want to go into any betting situation thinking that it is a “get rich quick” scheme. One of the most critical aspects of sports betting is money management. So one of the worst things that you could ever do is bet more than your bankroll allows on any given game. As a rule, each individual bet you make should be around 3-4 percent of your bankroll. If you have $1,000 that you’re playing with and you go in and drop $500 down on your first bet you are just begging for trouble.
A third thing not to do is to try not to get emotional and don’t chase losses by trying to “double down” or things like that. This one is easier said than done. People get emotional about sports. And, they get emotional about money.
DO’S:
Practice solid money management. Again, this is critical. Don’t overextend yourself on any one situation, no matter how much it seems like “a lock”.
Keep a long-term strategy in mind. There will be big wins and bad losses. But if you keep your focus on the long-term success of your bankroll you can make a lot of money and have a lot of fun doing it.
Bet against the public. This is a slightly complicated issue. But the general idea is that when everyone expects one thing you want to bet the other way. In essence, you want to bet with the Sportsbooks. Because, really they are going to shade any odds away from the teams and situations that they know the general public wants to bet on. But if you can position yourself on the opposite side of the general betting public you will find that you win more than you lose.
A couple great examples can be found in the last few Super Bowls. This is the most wagered on single game in the world. And in the last five years the underdog or, in the case of the 2011 Packers, the team that received the significantly smaller number of bets on them, covered the spread. The Super Bowl underdog has won three of the last five games outright and over the last 11 years the underdog is 8-3 against the spread in the biggest game on the planet.
Robert Ferringo: As far as what you should do and don’t do to be successful I could list you 1,000 things! But to keep it basic, here are the keys:
DON’T:
DO’S:
Keep a long-term strategy in mind. There will be big wins and bad losses. But if you keep your focus on the long-term success of your bankroll you can make a lot of money and have a lot of fun doing it.
A couple great examples can be found in the last few Super Bowls. This is the most wagered on single game in the world. And in the last five years the underdog or, in the case of the 2011 Packers, the team that received the significantly smaller number of bets on them, covered the spread. The Super Bowl underdog has won three of the last five games outright and over the last 11 years the underdog is 8-3 against the spread in the biggest game on the planet.
Cliff T.: Are there a lot of sports betting systems out there and which would say are the best ones to use especially for a person who is just diving in?
Robert Ferringo: The sports betting “systems” really vary by sport. And there are thousands. So I really couldn’t point to one specifically. But, again, the two most important things that I can impress upon your readers is A) be strict and disciplined with your money management and B) always be looking for situations to bet counter to the general betting public. When everyone is positive that a certain team is going to win – and the best way to gauge something like that is by listening to the hype from the ESPN and sports media bobble-heads – you want to have your money going the other way.
Robert Ferringo: The sports betting “systems” really vary by sport. And there are thousands. So I really couldn’t point to one specifically. But, again, the two most important things that I can impress upon your readers is A) be strict and disciplined with your money management and B) always be looking for situations to bet counter to the general betting public. When everyone is positive that a certain team is going to win – and the best way to gauge something like that is by listening to the hype from the ESPN and sports media bobble-heads – you want to have your money going the other way.
Cliff T.: Sports betting as an investment, really. Can one actually earn a living by betting on sports?
Robert Ferringo: You can absolutely earn a living solely by sports betting. I know that because myself and a lot of other people do it! It’s not easy. People may think that they could do it because they know a lot about sports. But it’s not about knowing a lot about sports – it’s about knowing and understanding a lot about sports betting.
As I mentioned, sports betting, at its core, is not much different from playing the stock market. Except in my opinion it’s a lot more fun, the payouts are a lot more immediate (you know within a couple hours if one of your investments won or lost as opposed to having to wait weeks or months or years for a stock to go up or down), and you can see fantastic rate of returns.
But, again, the keys are being really good at what you do, being very patient, being very disciplined, keeping that long-term perspective, and being ready to work 365 days a year!
Robert Ferringo: You can absolutely earn a living solely by sports betting. I know that because myself and a lot of other people do it! It’s not easy. People may think that they could do it because they know a lot about sports. But it’s not about knowing a lot about sports – it’s about knowing and understanding a lot about sports betting.
As I mentioned, sports betting, at its core, is not much different from playing the stock market. Except in my opinion it’s a lot more fun, the payouts are a lot more immediate (you know within a couple hours if one of your investments won or lost as opposed to having to wait weeks or months or years for a stock to go up or down), and you can see fantastic rate of returns.
But, again, the keys are being really good at what you do, being very patient, being very disciplined, keeping that long-term perspective, and being ready to work 365 days a year!
Cliff T.: Ok Robert where does Docs Sports fit into a lifestyle and for that matter how do you and Docs Sports help people get the best bang for the betting dollars they put out?
Robert Ferringo: We provide picks on a daily basis in a wide range of sports to people that want to bet on sports and want to make money. We have clients from all walks of life and they come to us for a variety of reasons, and sports betting probably plays a different role in each of their lives. However, they all come to us for the same reasons: because they know that we are better at this than they are and that they can play longer, make more money, and have more fun by following our plays than if they were to try to survive in the gambling world on their own.
As far as the “bang for their buck”, different handicappers favor different sports and situations. Personally, I have always felt that college basketball is the best and most profitable sport that anyone can endeavor. I think that football is the most difficult to turn a long-term profit in. But other niche sports like hockey, baseball, the NBA and even sports like the WNBA and Arena Football, can be big time moneymakers.
But for me, the first two months of college basketball (November and December) are the best time of the year to turn a profit. And over the last six years someone betting my plays during that time would have experienced over a 500 percent return – and that is with a flat Unit size, meaning that you aren’t adjusting the bet size that one percent of your bankroll represents. So, basically, if you had started in 2006 with $10,000 and bet about $200 per game you would now have well over $60,000 in the bank. And that is just betting for two months a year. If you were to adjust your bet size every $10,000 in profit (so when you got to $20,000 you would bet $400 per game, at $30,000 bet $600 per game) you would have well over $100,000.
Robert Ferringo: We provide picks on a daily basis in a wide range of sports to people that want to bet on sports and want to make money. We have clients from all walks of life and they come to us for a variety of reasons, and sports betting probably plays a different role in each of their lives. However, they all come to us for the same reasons: because they know that we are better at this than they are and that they can play longer, make more money, and have more fun by following our plays than if they were to try to survive in the gambling world on their own.
As far as the “bang for their buck”, different handicappers favor different sports and situations. Personally, I have always felt that college basketball is the best and most profitable sport that anyone can endeavor. I think that football is the most difficult to turn a long-term profit in. But other niche sports like hockey, baseball, the NBA and even sports like the WNBA and Arena Football, can be big time moneymakers.
But for me, the first two months of college basketball (November and December) are the best time of the year to turn a profit. And over the last six years someone betting my plays during that time would have experienced over a 500 percent return – and that is with a flat Unit size, meaning that you aren’t adjusting the bet size that one percent of your bankroll represents. So, basically, if you had started in 2006 with $10,000 and bet about $200 per game you would now have well over $60,000 in the bank. And that is just betting for two months a year. If you were to adjust your bet size every $10,000 in profit (so when you got to $20,000 you would bet $400 per game, at $30,000 bet $600 per game) you would have well over $100,000.
Cliff T.: I am assuming that there are no guarantees when it comes to betting on sports, stuff happens. So with that in mind how can a player and or a beginner make a safe bet so as to not lose the shirt of they're back?
Robert Ferringo: Yeah, even the best gamblers in the world still lose 4 of every 10 bets that they make. So the most important thing is to keep that sound money management in mind. The idea of “going big” or “doubling up” is for tourists, amateurs and action junkies, not people that are really trying to make a living or a long-term profit by betting on sports.
There are no “safe” bets. But if you’ve done your homework, if you have found some strong angles to play (be it situational, statistical, motivational, etc.), and if you have found the best value in your bet based on the spreads and odds then you have made a “smart” bet. And if you do that consistently then in the long term the odds will work out in your favor.
Cliff T.: Sports handicapping and Docs Sports interesting combo. Would you say that the site is a clearing house for sports betters or is it more a mentoring site for the betting person?
Robert Ferringo: As I said before, we provide advice for people who bet on sports. We don’t take bets, we don’t place bets, and we don’t do anything but offer our professional, educated opinions on plays. In essence, we are akin to stock market advisers for our clients.
Robert Ferringo: As I said before, we provide advice for people who bet on sports. We don’t take bets, we don’t place bets, and we don’t do anything but offer our professional, educated opinions on plays. In essence, we are akin to stock market advisers for our clients.
Cliff T.: Sports handicapping and Docs Sports interesting combo. Would you say that the site is a clearing house for sports betters or is it more a mentoring site for the betting person?
Robert Ferringo: As I said before, we provide advice for people who bet on sports. We don’t take bets, we don’t place bets, and we don’t do anything but offer our professional, educated opinions on plays. In essence, we are akin to stock market advisers for our clients.
Robert Ferringo: As I said before, we provide advice for people who bet on sports. We don’t take bets, we don’t place bets, and we don’t do anything but offer our professional, educated opinions on plays. In essence, we are akin to stock market advisers for our clients.
Cliff T.: Robert, I bet you get asked this a lot, was sports betting a hobby before the career or is it a hobby and career at the same time?
Robert Ferringo: Oh, it’s definitely not a hobby now! Sports and betting are all business to me now. I try not to take it too seriously – I mean, it’s not life and death we’re dealing with here – but I am an ultra-competitive person and I absolutely hate to lose. So I don’t mess around when it comes to my work.
Prior to my time at Doc’s I was a very amateur bettor, a huge sports fan, and had been a sports reporter at my hometown paper in Watertown, New York.
Robert Ferringo: Oh, it’s definitely not a hobby now! Sports and betting are all business to me now. I try not to take it too seriously – I mean, it’s not life and death we’re dealing with here – but I am an ultra-competitive person and I absolutely hate to lose. So I don’t mess around when it comes to my work.
Prior to my time at Doc’s I was a very amateur bettor, a huge sports fan, and had been a sports reporter at my hometown paper in Watertown, New York.
Cliff T.: Do you still get surprised by an outcome, or to put it another way have you suggested a pick and have been totally surprised by it not turning out the way you anticipated it would?
Robert Ferringo: I am surprised on a daily basis. Anything can – and does – happen in sports. That’s part of the beauty of it and a big part of the reason why people love it. It is unscripted drama played out in these really random situations. I wouldn’t say that I’ve seen it all at this point, but pretty close. I’ve lost games in ways that you simply wouldn’t believe if I told you. But I’ve also pulled out some victories that were just comical in their good fortune. Things usually even out when it comes to “luck”. But when it really comes down to it it’s all about the math and the numbers. And I don’t make a lot of money for my clients or myself because I’m “lucky”.
I always like to say: gambling isn’t magic, it’s mathematics.
Robert Ferringo: I am surprised on a daily basis. Anything can – and does – happen in sports. That’s part of the beauty of it and a big part of the reason why people love it. It is unscripted drama played out in these really random situations. I wouldn’t say that I’ve seen it all at this point, but pretty close. I’ve lost games in ways that you simply wouldn’t believe if I told you. But I’ve also pulled out some victories that were just comical in their good fortune. Things usually even out when it comes to “luck”. But when it really comes down to it it’s all about the math and the numbers. And I don’t make a lot of money for my clients or myself because I’m “lucky”.
I always like to say: gambling isn’t magic, it’s mathematics.
Cliff T.: What is the typical day for you? Or to put it another way is there a lot of work that goes into putting together picks and how does that get done?
Robert Ferringo: No real day is “typical” I can say. But a generic day includes waking up, spending time with my beautiful daughter, and then getting down to business. In the morning I check the scores from last night (even though I was following the games) and tally up my wins and losses. I update the site, check through e-mails, and get all the logistics out of the way. Then I look at what the overnight lines have done and start to sketch out my plays for the day. I do a few hours of research, watch what the lines do and how they are influenced by the betting on that given day, then I type up and release my picks to my clients between noon and 1 p.m. EST every day (depending on the sport).
The afternoons are usually spent writing and researching, as well as coordinating the other handicappers. I get a little more family time in the early evening, and then I settle in for the games that night. From about 7 p.m. to about 1 p.m. I’m watching games, jotting down my own projected spreads for the next day, and trying to stay up to date on injuries, news and things like that. Sleep a few hours, wake up, and repeat.
And yeah, there is a ridiculous amount of research and work that goes into every pick that I release. From scouting to running math models to researching things like injuries, weather, etc., it’s definitely trying to hit a moving target.
Robert Ferringo: No real day is “typical” I can say. But a generic day includes waking up, spending time with my beautiful daughter, and then getting down to business. In the morning I check the scores from last night (even though I was following the games) and tally up my wins and losses. I update the site, check through e-mails, and get all the logistics out of the way. Then I look at what the overnight lines have done and start to sketch out my plays for the day. I do a few hours of research, watch what the lines do and how they are influenced by the betting on that given day, then I type up and release my picks to my clients between noon and 1 p.m. EST every day (depending on the sport).
The afternoons are usually spent writing and researching, as well as coordinating the other handicappers. I get a little more family time in the early evening, and then I settle in for the games that night. From about 7 p.m. to about 1 p.m. I’m watching games, jotting down my own projected spreads for the next day, and trying to stay up to date on injuries, news and things like that. Sleep a few hours, wake up, and repeat.
And yeah, there is a ridiculous amount of research and work that goes into every pick that I release. From scouting to running math models to researching things like injuries, weather, etc., it’s definitely trying to hit a moving target.
Cliff T.: Robert, I noticed that on Doc Sports there is a section where visitors can get a chance to try they're hand at betting. You have an offer valued at $60.00? What exactly do visitors get for that in this free offer?
Robert Ferringo: On our site what we will do is offer new clients $60.00 to use toward the purchase of any handicapper’s selections on our site. For instance, a daily package for my NBA picks is $29. We are basically giving someone two free days of service just for signing up with us. Or, a weekly package of my MLB selections (seven days’ worth from the date you sign up) costs $89. Well, we’re giving you $60 when you sign up. So for $29 – which is less than the $30 for a daily package – someone can get a full week of service that is backed up by Doc’s guarantee (your handicapper will show you a profit or we will extend your service until they do). In that MLB example it is basically buy one day and get six free.
Cliff T.: Is this the only special you have or does Doc Sports have regular offers like this one?
Robert Ferringo: We are always doing things like that in order to give people an opportunity to experience our service. For instance, right now we’re also offering a 3-for-1 deal for our handicappers. So if you were to sign up for a week’s worth of my picks you could also pick two other handicappers and get their picks for free. Every handicapper has their own different style and system (I like to say that we’re like samurai, each fighting with a different weapon, or like super heroes, each with a different superpower). So we like to offer specials like this so people can come in, get familiar with our system, find a handicapper whose style they feel best fits their own betting goals and needs, and then go from there.
Robert Ferringo: We are always doing things like that in order to give people an opportunity to experience our service. For instance, right now we’re also offering a 3-for-1 deal for our handicappers. So if you were to sign up for a week’s worth of my picks you could also pick two other handicappers and get their picks for free. Every handicapper has their own different style and system (I like to say that we’re like samurai, each fighting with a different weapon, or like super heroes, each with a different superpower). So we like to offer specials like this so people can come in, get familiar with our system, find a handicapper whose style they feel best fits their own betting goals and needs, and then go from there.
Cliff T.: Robert, thanks for letting us know more about Doc Sports and betting on sports in general. I hope you and Doc Sports is around for another 40 years.
Robert Ferringo: Thank you again. And good luck to you and all of your readers!
Robert Ferringo of Doc Sports is a professional handicapper with Doc Sports he wrote wrote to us from his office in Sauk City WI. To learn more about sports betting and handicapping visit docsports.com and don't forget about the 60 dollar offer to try your hand at picking a winner. Of course you should remember that betting responsibly is the key to being a successful player. For more info visit www.docsports.com
Robert Ferringo: Thank you again. And good luck to you and all of your readers!
Robert Ferringo of Doc Sports is a professional handicapper with Doc Sports he wrote wrote to us from his office in Sauk City WI. To learn more about sports betting and handicapping visit docsports.com and don't forget about the 60 dollar offer to try your hand at picking a winner. Of course you should remember that betting responsibly is the key to being a successful player. For more info visit www.docsports.com
