If there’s one common failing amongst punters it’s the belief that since they bet, whether as a leisure activity or on semi-professional basis, they have some limitless knowledge on all matters relating to the subject.

A guy who backs on horseracing thinks he can spot a good soccer football bet or possibly a backer who studies the tennis form all day presumes he could make money on the NFL also.

But you wouldn’t expect your plumber to be able to fix your bathtub and also your TV set at the exact same time… would you?

Betting is about having an edge – an advantage over your fellow players, the bookies, the house, whoever you are trying to win money from. You might have a specialised ability in one area of betting (an ability which helps you make money) but you’re most unlikely to have such a clear advantage in all of the the others also.

And it’s far better to earn money in only one area – horseracing, golf, poker – than to make it initially in that one area and then go lose half of it by placing bets on a number of other sports you know little, or nothing, about.

Even within one sport you will find further sub-levels of expertise. Take the example of horseracing. You’ll find individuals who concentrate solely on turf racing or races on the dirt, sprints or middle-distances, steeplechases or hurdles, handicaps or maidens, UK, American or Irish racing… the list goes on.

If you choose to narrow your field of betting, boost your level of understanding and know more than your respective opponent on that one particular subject, that is the way to earn money. It’s going to certainly boost your returns.

This really is what you’ll need to do. And if you have not got that sort of information readily to hand then seek out those sources which provide such tailored advice. Learn from that and then see what can be achieved.