I’ve stated on numerous occasions during the past 2 decades, thinking like an oddsmaker is a required fundamental theory essential in being successful at sports betting. “Think like an oddsmaker”, it may seem like a simple comprehensible phrase, yet it’s a difficult concept for most sports bettors to fully latch onto.

Eliminating Emotion

When the art of thinking like an oddsmaker is finally mastered, it goes a long way in eliminating emotion from one’s decision making process. I’m of a strong opinion, emotion of any kind diminishes our ability to reach rational and objective conclusions. Staying on an even keel is paramount, which helps in optimizing crystal clear focus and attention to detail.

Here’s a few hypothetical questions that go hand in hand with the point I’m making. If an emergency room doctor becomes affected every time one of his incoming patients dies, then how focused do you think he or she would be when moving on to the next individual’s ailment? Would that patient’s best interest be at the forefront of that doctor’s mind, or would it be hindered by a disappointing result from the prior assignment? My point being, the best doctors in the country have perfected the art of leaving negative results behind and moving on the next tasks at hand. The same can be said for the best sports betting professionals.

Case in point is a sports bettor that’s coming off a gut wrenching losing wager, and subsequently chases the lost money by responding with a knee jerk irrational decision. My advice is to take a deep breath when those types of difficult losses occur. Let your emotions die down and then move onto the next day. Having said that, it doesn’t guarantee a winning day, or even a single winning wager. However, it will certainly assure a better chance of making coherent and unclouded judgements.

Respecting the Odds Makers

Professional oddsmakers are the best at what they do, subsequently they must be deeply respected, or else you’re destined for failure. Their calculations when setting a point-spread, money line, or total are impeccable. Accepting that to be fact is source for a solid foundation and an improved success rate. It’s also worth noting, odds-makers are especially sharp in high profile games in which they anticipate receiving the most wagering action, and you can expect those lines to be razor sharp. So don’t be naïve or delusion in thinking you can detect even a slightest flaw.

Anticipating Public Perception

Oddsmakers are adept at foreseeing public perception, and prey on bettors who possess memory banks that only extend back to recent results. When it comes to sports betting, if it looks too good to be true, a majority of the time it is. This group of highly trained experts have mastered the art of deception when setting a point-spread, money line, or total. Being cognizant of just that will serve as an asset in your sports handicapping arsenal.

Ross Benjamin is a top sports analyst and one of the sports industry's most respected handicappers. Follow him on Twitter: @RossBenjamin1 or visit his website at RBWins.com.