If you are new to online betting then the first thing you need to do is open an account with an internet bookmaker. There are over a hundred to choose from but too much choice can sometimes lead to confusion so how do you decide between them and what criteria should you use?
Perhaps you want to select a familiar name and there are some online outlets that have been operating in the physical world for many decades. You could certainly use a trusted brand but you shouldn`t necessarily exclude the newer bookmakers who haven`t enjoyed the luxury of time in order to make an impact on you.
Another factor to take into account is the welcome bonus and the majority of bookies will offer some form of incentive in order to secure your business. Usually this comes in the form of a matched bet where you credit your account with a certain amount and once you have made an initial gamble, the bookmaker will match that stake and put the funds into your account.
There really is no catch with this method other than to remember that when you use the free bet, only the winnings are credited to your account. The free stake is lost, irrespective of whether you win or lose.
Matched bets start with modest amounts such as 10.00 but they can extend to 50.00 or even higher. If you see an offer that truly appeals to you then feel free to sign up with that bookmaker because it is essentially a risk free bet that is placed in your new account.
Ongoing promotions are worth considering too and all the major operators all have special offers for the life of your account. Take some time to read through all the websites that interest you and those with the better, regular incentives could influence your final decision.
For many experienced gamblers, the only thing that really matters is whether you are getting value for money. If a bookmaker offers consistently poor odds on a range of markets then why should you sign up with them if you could get better returns elsewhere?
Fortunately, you don`t have to visit every single bookmaker`s site in order to check as to who is giving the best value. This is due to the existence of a number of `odds comparison sites` who compare prices from a wide selection of outlets in a huge choice of individual markets.
A quick Google search will give you a list of such sites and you can then run a number of checks on the markets that interest you. For example, if you only bet on football then check the big games of the week and see how the bookies compare in the result market, as well as all the side bets such as first goalscorer, correct score and so on.
No single bookmaker is going to provide the best odds every time but this system will allow you to find those that return consistent value and this should be a significant factor when it comes to your choice of companies.
Other areas could influence your selection depending on your personal preferences. If you like to bet in play once a sporting event has started then check to make sure that the bookmaker provides this facility. Most do but some have a more extensive range of markets than others.
Live streaming will interest some bettors and you will find that many bookmakers will let you watch an immense amount of live football, tennis, rugby and other sports from around the world just by opening and maintaining an account.
Watching an extra helping of live football is an important factor for some but when you are choosing a bookmaker, remember to look for best odds, a trusted reputation and a great opening offer as your main criteria before you open that account.
If you are new to online betting then the first thing you need to do is open an account with an internet bookmaker. There are over a hundred to choose from but too much choice can sometimes lead to confusion so how do you decide between them and what criteria should you use?
