Hello everyone. Thank you for taking the time to consider me as your handicapper. My name is Steven Golden and grew up in the Bay Area in California. I am a professional sports bettor/handicapper. For daily tweets follow @GBPickem on Twitter.
First off, I want to address the biggest issue there is in the sports betting business. Trusting a handicapper. Mostly known as "Scamdicappers" I understand the value of trust. I fully acknowledge most have had a terrible experience with handicappers. My goal is to provide you with perfect customer service and show you my abilities as a professional sports bettor and as a person as well. I am a natural born leader and love my job. This is my passion and expertise. I can assure you that you are in good hands with me. I run my business with the utmost integrity and class. This is my living and only job. I am available around the clock for assistance.
It all began with my friends and I picking NFL games ATS every week. I performed well and they quickly got over losing money to me on these picks. I had a natural "keen eye" for picking winners and noticing the subtleties of the industry. So I took it to another level. I started reading betting forums and followed the "big guys" who were getting a lot of followers and comments. After a while I started posting my own picks. After 2 months of posting on these forums, I did so well that I gained a huge following that wanted my advice and more picks. This is when I decided to take sports handicapping more seriously. A couple years went by and my success continued. I knew it was what I wanted to do for a career. I applied and tested stats to Fantasy Sports before I started to go all in with sports betting. To this day, I still feel that was the best way to begin a successful life as a sports handicapper. Test out your success on a cheap no pressure platform before you enter the big leagues.
I owe most of my knowledge to failure. I've been through it all. Sports wagering caught my eye at the age of 13. I've seen everything the gambling industry has to offer. I learned from all my mistakes. I wrote those mistakes down, and I applied those mistakes to my every day capping, by eliminating the errors most bettors make over and over. My biggest asset is that I can recognize what the "right play" is when I see a spread. I have mastered the art of identifying and interpreting what the oddsmakers lines mean. The lucky part of this for YOU, is that you get to experience over 15 years of knowledge I have gained through this industry that I am willing to share with you. I'm honest, I'm straight up, I don't over promise and I give realistic expectations to my customers. By educating my customers they understand how to handle every situation.
The big picture to me is not only provide for myself with my sports betting expertise, but also helping others achieve greatness and financial stability. Some people have it tough, and my goal is to ease their life matters. I come from humble beginnings and have been through the ringer in my life. I have a special talent and an appreciation for my job that I am using for the good of the public. Come join me in my winning success and let me prove to you why I am the most reliable, responsible and profitable Sports Handicapper in the business. My impeccable customer service is what separates me from the rest. Come join the Golden Empire family.
Sports
April 20, 2020
Never did I imagine a day without sports. The beauty of daily sports in our lives is so much more than just a game. This is the glue of this country that gives every kind of person hope for the day. Many wake up with no hope. Some wake up with an ounce of hope that is temporary. Some wake up ready to go and are blessed with a great day and so much to look forward to. Sports are always there when you need it. Up, down, mediocre...It is always there waiting for you. It is there when you wake up and when you go to sleep. Until it wasn't.
One day sports just disappeared. We never thought it could happen. So much joy was taken away from our daily lives. So many moments were lost with dad. A high five that meant nothing, yet everything when looked back upon. A simple conversation with a friend during the game. A simple argument. Fantasy sports. Cheering. Spikes of joy. Buzzer beaters. Grand slams. Slapshots. Putts. Dunks by freakish athletes. It was all gone out of nowhere. They even took our March Madness.
As someone who grew up a sports junkie in a sports junkie family, it was quite the blow to hear the news. I am getting ready to watch the Jazz game. It’s evening time and I am visiting my parents. “Game PPD in Utah. No details yet.” I immediately tweet that this is going to be BAD news. An hour later, the news breaks and the game is cancelled. Coronavirus had arrived. Gobert was touching everything. Fans were confused and shocked. Will it be a week? Will it be 2 weeks? A month? What about March Madness?
As the days went on, the domino affect began. One by one leagues were being suspended. Especially in this day and age it is about politics and the democracy approach of the public. The we must follow era. The NBA set the bar and it was only politically correct and the right thing to do to follow. Then it got REAL. The rest is history.
Here I am and here you are. It has now been five weeks since the news hit hard. Suddenly we are all at home waiting to be unleashed. As the days go by we are one day closer to sports. The gap in our souls right now can be seen even at night. For many of us who deal with sports daily and also depend on sports for their career like myself, it hits home how important it always was.
From that first catch with dad and that first time watching a recording of your game with your family, to the final time you played catch with dad when you didn't even know it. Sports are what make us go. It is an attachment that attaches people in ways they never could otherwise.
As we see the reality without sports and without fans, we start to appreciate the higher power of sports. One day it will be back. One day there will be fans again. One day the spirit will be back. Imagine a buzzer beater. Imagine the NBA Finals with no fans. Does greatness still stand even without spirit and emotion pushing these superstars? Will a trophy mean anything? If there is no noise, was there even a game? “Lebron takes the ball, dribbles ahead as Giannis takes the mission of stopping the King to win the NBA Finals. It’s game 7, in the middle of nowhere. There are no fans. Just ten players on the court, the bench and the refs. Lebron’s legacy is on the line. Bucks up 1 with 20 seconds left. Dribbles, dribbles, dribbles. 5 seconds left. 4. 3. 2. 1. Lebron takes a jumper for the win. ITS IN. THE LAKERS ARE CHAMPIONS! There was no noise. There was no cheering. There was little emotion. There were no babies in arms to take that perfect photo in the confetti. Lebron James just won game 7 at the buzzer to win his 4th ring. And thus, it was crickets.
It seems like sports has been gone for years. People are figuring out how to fill the gap in their days. That minimum six hours daily is a free agent now. Many of us have filled it with new identities. We have played cup pong, four in a row, sea battle, even board games online. We have done facetimes and calls. Snapchats and Tik Toks. We have had all the thoughts we never thought we had. We are finally getting to know ourselves on a deeper level. It took no sports to get to “alone with our thoughts.”
Sports is our routine. It was a routine you never imagined would be gone. It wakes us up in the morning and tucks us in at night. Sports breaks up the day and fills the gaps you never had to think about filling. Sports make businesses go. Sports are something to root for even when your life had little to root for. Sports allows us to fantasize and “be like them one day.” Sports is a painting that finally got to roam around. Sports is the dream come true of your dream. Sports creates memorable moments and stats. Sports allow us to live vicariously through something you wanted to be. Sports let our wildest imaginations come true. Sports are the best producer there ever was. It writes scripts that aren't believable. It creates heros that were only in the shadows. It creates moments you cherish. It creates “I remember whens” It creates hope. It creates jobs. It creates activity. It creates economy. It creates passion. It creates legacies. It creates the chase of greatness and what the bar is set at.
Without sports it is just another day we lose of experiencing everything in life there is to love. Without sports you “really got to know your partner.” Without sports came “without everything.” Without sports made you realize not everything you do has to be good for you or benefit you. A simple video game with a friend or a facetime with the family suddenly wasn't so much of a task. Without sports, we are learning new things about ourselves. With sports, we are filled with joy and normalcy. Sports are always a positive regardless of being played.
Sports is my life. Sports is your life. Sports is their life. Sports is life.
-Steven Golden
Handling Slumps
4/17/17
I wanted to address the proper way to handle a slump. As much as I hate using the word "slump" I'll use it here for the purpose of making this simply understood. Slump to me means you lose confidence in your process, which never occurs with me. Simply, bad luck runs occur. Anyways, here is how I typically handle these bad runs. First off, it's ok to lose. It's ok to have a bad week or bad month. This is EXPECTED. What's important is how to manage it and how to minimize it. Certain times of year you'll notice you simply are getting the wrong end of the stick over and over. Bad beats, CRAZY finishes never going in your favor, etc. You may think you are cursed, but you're not. Its just part of the industry and happens to all of us, even me.
When I understand this is occurring, and I typically catch it early on, I tend to minimize picks or go down a notch and lower my units. This is the complete opposite of chasing. Now, it's ok to FADE in this scenario. Nobody hits winners constantly. If we can all nail down when we are hot and when are cold, we would all be better off. I can tell you, I have customers who have been with me for over 5 years and know how it all works. They are mature, and they take the bad runs with the good. They lower units on bad runs, and even fade until it turns around. I have no issue with this. BE MY GUEST. This game is all about adjustments. I am not above the law, nor am I above the "pay your dues" fact of sports betting. Every other month ill have 1-2 week span where its absolute garbage. Lose by 1 point over and over and bad beats day after day. They pile up. IT HAPPENS. I already know this will occur at some point. What I have learned is to take advantage of this the best I can. Nobody can master exactly when to fade and exactly when to up bets, but You can sure make a bad streak manageable opposed to devastating.
I encourage everyone to handicap their betting accounts and find out how long your bad streaks last and how long you get hot for. Take advantage of your personal trends. If you typically follow up a huge hot streak with an ice cold 7 days, fade yourself those 7 days. This is all a science and all about approach. Not just picking winners and losers. This absolutely exists, and I speak from experience. There ARE times where your luck is flat out BAD, and you need to look into your intuition. A great sports bettor is a superstitious one. Those who can notice small details of luck and bad luck trends maximize on their faults. You may read this with a closed mind, but this is double digit professional years of experience speaking. You CAN minimize damage OR take advantage of it. Either is beneficial. Make the adjustments, and know when to make the adjustments. You can even spot trends with how the public is doing. If you have no clue what you're doing, I recommend spotting trends in how the public is currently performing at the time. Are they hot? Are the square bets winning? Are the sharp bets winning? Identity any and all aspects of gambling to benefit. My best approach when I am under performing is to minimize damage with less picks and smaller units if I feel it's necessary. Always ok to take a day to watch and learn opposed to learning the hard way.
-GB
MLB 2017 Plan
Brief explanation of my MLB 2017 strategy for those interested in trying me out for the season.
-Regular straight wagers per usual
-3 game Underdog Series Chase. Goal of this to bet only on a series where I know one team will be the underdog for all 3 games. (Can figure this out by looking at pitching matchups). First game 2 units. If we lose, we double up and go 4 units on game 2. We lose game 2 we put 8 units on game 3. Possible 14 unit loss in each series. If we win game 1 or 2, we stop and collect the profits. The beauty of this system is it is all underdogs and the margin of profit we will receive will be well worth the chase. Large ROI chance with this system which is tested out over years to be extremely successful.
I will provide both of these systems for MLB 2017. For those who have no interest in the dog chase, regular straight wagers will be there just like always. Consider the Dog Chase System as a bonus. Check out my "Packages" tab here on the website for pricing.
My Glorious Week of Bad Beats
2/24/17 2:28am ET
It's not often I write an article about my bad beats. This past week has warranted one, as its some of the strangest bad luck I have ever seen not just in my betting career, but in my entire life. Ready?
Bad Beat #1:
Feb 18-Baylor ML. Baylor leads by 6 with under 2 minutes left. Baylor leading the entire game. Kansas then goes on 8-0 run to end the game, and we lose because of a brutal call by the ref in final seconds to give Kansas free throws that should have never happened.
Bad Beat #2:
Texas +2-Tie game with 2 seconds left. K-State misses but gets offensive rebound with a tipped in basket, AND the foul. They hit the free throw with a second left and we lose on the spread.
Bad Beat #3:
Feb 21-Indiana +1. Indiana leads by 15 and has a good sized lead late in the game. They slowly dismantle. Indiana down 2 with 10 seconds left. They get the steal and miss the layup on the foul. This was a point blank layup that should have easily been made. The added free throw would have gave them the lead, and avoided overtime. Instead, they not only blow the 15 point lead, but go to overtime because of this and lose.
Bad Beat #4:
Feb 22-Duke -3. Duke plays great almost the entire night. Heavy lead at the half, cruising in second half. Start to fall apart. Solid 8 point lead late, then Syracuse goes NUTS. Cuse banks in an awkward deep 2 with under a minute left, then proceeds to hit a 3 at the buzzer off the backboard.
Bad Beat #5:
Feb 23-Warriors -11.5. The grandaddy of em all. I deemed this on twitter my worst bad beat of my entire career. This one beyond shocking. Warriors absolutely dominate the second half and get a 21 point lead with 1:26 left. Clippers then go on an 11-0 run in final 1:25 including a Felton buzzer beater 3 ball to sink us. 5 bad beats in 6 days accounts for a 100 unit swing. Just like that, centimeters away from an incredible week.
The moral of the story is this is gambling. I, more than anyone, understand my handicapping lately has been spot on, yet we have had to take 20 bad beats in 2017 already. And there's only been 54 days in it. This is why bankroll management is so important. It's to account for these types of losses to ruin your day/week/month. You MUST manage your bankroll properly and be able to withstand bad luck like this. Always bet an affordable amount that will allow you to survive.
Lebron to the Lakers in 2018, BOOK IT
January 3, 2017
You may think im crazy, but im not. Lebron has his businesses in LA. This will be his last stop. he owns homes in LA and i believe this will be a lifestyle choice for Lebron. Cleveland will also not be able to match up with a dominant Warriors team. If Lebron leaves Cleveland, its likely that he leaves to the West to save face. Beat the Warriors in conference finals or bust. Going to the finals as an inferior team vs Warriors every year and continuing to lose, is not a good legacy strategy. Magic Johnson will lure Lebron in and this young group of Laker studs will allow Lebron to see long term with this team, not to mention the cap room. Eventually, a star will join him even if not at first. Write this down and tell your friends. Lebron to the Lakers in 2018.
Fate Through a Microscope
Do you believe in fate? Some do. Some think it's ridiculous and silly. After watching the Cubs this year, how can't you believe in fate? The story of the Cubs has been one to follow, even if you are not a Cubs fan. The rallying around the Cubs world series hopes began last season, when they officially put together a legitimately dominant group of young studs. They needed some time. They did great, and got to the NLCS, however, couldn't get past the Mets. Another year down the drain, said cubs fans. But we all knew it was just the beginning of greatness. They have the players, they have the coach, and they have the GM, who breaks curses. It just all makes sense this year. It's the year after the breakout season.
I wrote an article about Lebron James before the finals last season. My belief in him was second to none, from day 1. It was simply, the time. It was the year after Lebron came back to town. When he went to Miami, he lost in the first year, then won the second year. Came back to Cavs, lost in first year, won in second year. Cubs are my Lebron this year. They lost the first year of "the group" and now it simply, is time. FINALLY. Why, you ask? Feast your eyes, and enter...FATE.
Key number one, Schwarber gets hurt and out for season. Not a good start for the world series hopeful "finally our year" Cubs. Oh no, here we go again. The bad luck just will not go away. Now, he's likely to return for the world series, after there werent many rumors all season that he would return. The missing man is returning, out of NOWHERE. This is just the beginning of fate. Game 1 vs Giants this year in the playoffs, a pitcher's duel occurred between Lester and Cueto. 0-0 into the bottom of the 8th. It's unsung hero time. Champions ALWAYS have unsung heros. Another sign of fate.
Baez steps up to the plate and blasts a home run to left field. The ball went into the basket that hangs over the field. Who put that basket there? Well, here's the history of the basket. The basket was made in response to the wild 1969 season, when the park’s famous “Bleacher Bums” would jump onto the field after wins and an even wilder 1970 home opener when fans jumped over the fence and onto the field. The basket is meant to protect against this. If not for these fans and their random acts of misbehaving, the basket would not be there. Thus, the Baez home run would not have happened. Pagan would have clearly caught it. Who knows who wins game 1 if not for the basket. Later in the top of the 9th, Chapman comes in, and Posey with 2 outs hits a double off the wall. Well, a runner should have scored on this hit. Leadoff man Hernandez struck out on a checked swing on a 3-2 pitch. The replay clearly shows he did not go around. Should have been on first base, and scored on Posey's double. Again, who knows who wins now with these changed circumstances. 2 breaks for the cubs in game 1. Game 4, cubs down 3 runs in the 9th. Everyone talking about how the Giants will win game 5 after all the momentum of game 3 and 4. However, here come the Cubs again with the big breaks. They take the lead and end up winning the game, in amazing fashion. Championship teams get breaks. This is break #3. The odds of scoring 4 runs in the 9th to take the lead, down 3, are slim to none. Fate, took over once again. This is when i really started believing. "It's happening." Series over. Cubs vs Dodgers. Game 1 NLCS, Chapman blows the lead in the 8th. Bottom 8, Roberts decides to intentionally walk batter to get to Chapman's spot in lineup. If Maddon didn't even bring Chapman in, in the 8th, this doesn't take place. Montero steps up to pinch hit, and hits a grand slam. Again, when they needed a big hit, they got it. Fate, taking over once again. "The ghosts of Wrigley" are now working for the Cubs. They win, and lead series 1-0. Game 4, Cubs down 2-1 in the series, and murmurs start being whispered. "Here we go again." The cubs bats wake up and dominate game 4. When their backs were against the wall, they showed up once again. Series tied. Cubs win game 5, then you just know its going to happen. Game 6 vs Kershaw, it's time. Cubs get early lead, but that is not the most important part.
8th inning comes, and Hendricks is completely dominating. So was Prior, vs the Marlins, up 3-2 in the series, at Wrigley, game 6. Look familiar? Sure was. The 8th inning is what Cubs fans were nervous about. It was that first checkpoint they had to beat. Too many bad memories occurred in that dreadful 8th inning vs the Marlins. The TV flashes to Steve Bartman's seat. The next pitch, a foul ball is hit. RIGHT TO STEVE BARTMAN's seat. There's 1 out, just like the 8th inning of the Bartman game. Cubs get out of the inning and its finally happening. 9th inning, 1 out, a foul ball is hit. RIGHT TO STEVE BARTMAN'S seat. Again? I'm thinking to myself, what is going on. Am I really this delusional to think there's a higher baseball power pulling our strings right now? This is why baseball is so beautiful. First Marlins batter after Jose Fernandez tragic death, Dee Gordon blasts a home run, and absolutely shreds it. Farthest home run he's ever hit. Baseball gods took over. Jeter final at bat at Yankees stadium, rbi single to win the game. Walkoff. Baseball gods took over. 9th inning, Cubs have 1 out. Ground ball to shortstop. Remember Alex Gonzalez booted the easy double play ball that would have ended the inning in the Bartman game. Instead, the Marlins score 8 runs and force a game 7. Now, this time, the ball is fielded perfectly and becomes a double play. I thought it was extremely ironic the game ended on a double play ball to shortstop, as if a curse being lifted. It was too obvious. The baseball gods werent hiding it. The two foul balls to Bartman's seat. The successful double play ball to end the game. And not to mention, earlier in the game, a foul ball was hit and a cubs fan was about to reach over onto the field to catch the ball but pulled hands back as Rizzo went for the ball. Clearly with Bartman's moment in thought, they wanted nothing to do with interfering. All these little things kept happening throughout the playoffs. Not to mention they have the likely MVP and CY Young on the team. Every little piece is coming together.
Finally, the fact that the Cubs are playing the Indians is just too good. Two "cursed franchises" going at it to try and bring a baseball title, finally, to their city. It's just so fitting. It's just time. It's just fate. How can you not be romantic about baseball. Go Cubs Go, Go Cubs Go, hey Chicago what do you say, Cubs are going to win today.
-GB
What Does Unit Mean?
A unit is very simple in sports betting. The term confuses many, but all it is, is a universal bet size language. Since everyone bets different amounts, I would never send out a pick saying "bet $500 on this." I know not everyone bets $500, so that would make zero sense. Most my picks are 10 units. My 5 unit pick is half the amount of the 10 unit pick, as you would imagine. 20 unit pick twice as large as 10 unit pick, etc. Determine your unit based off a 10 unit pick. If you want to bet most picks at $100, for a 10 unit pick, you're 1 unit is $10 then. So a 5 unit pick would be $50 if you're 1 unit=$10. Many people think a unit means a certain dollar amount but that is not true. Unit is whatever you want it to be. It's just a bet scale language.
Lebron's Legacy on the Line
Game 7. Two of the most glorious words in the english language. But this game 7...this one is different. Lebron James tries to avoid losing 3 straight finals. He is trying to avoid a 2-5 finals record. His coaches in his career? Mike Brown. Eric Spoelstra. David Blatt. Tyronn Lue. Michael Jordan's coaches. Phil Jackson and...that's all we need to say. Kobe? Phil Jackson...that's all we need to say. Iverson? Larry Brown. So many examples to go through, as the long list of hall of fame legends proves they had great coaches. Lebron has made 6 straight finals. "But he's in the east Golden, the east is weak." Said the sheep. HE'S MADE SIX STRAIGHT FINALS. When he left the Cavs, they weren't even a playoff team. In fact, they got the #1 pick they were so bad. When he left the heat? The franchise was not relevant again. He goes to Miami for 4 years, makes the finals all 4. He comes back to the lowly Cavs and takes them to the finals 2 straight years. It an unbelievable what he has done. He has been to the finals 6 straight years with 2 different teams.
What does game 7 mean for the King? It means everything. This game 7 is his legacy, in a nutshell. He's in too deep. Another finals loss will not be accepted. A game 7 loss will only feed to the hate. It will confirm the public's false beliefs about him. It will feed the hate this country has fueled on. The hate keeps people going. It makes them go. The expectations deemed on Lebron James ever since early high school were unprecedented. His leadership in high school was odd. A sophomore acting like a man on the court, with poise of a 10 year professional vet. From day 1 of his NBA career, he was dominant. First basket: At Arco arena. Baseline jumper, top of the screen. I'll never forget it. He was special from the beginning. The hype this man had to live up to is what no man has ever had to live up to.
2 rings later, and 4 finals losses later, Lebron James has 2 options. If he loses this game on Sunday, the legacy is shot. From me? No. But from the public, from the majority, it is done. Only perfection from here on out will be accepted. Lebron James IS THE FINALS. The depressed city of Cleveland is aching, ACHING for a title. Only one man can bring it to them. Another defeat for this city would only confirm the negative vibes it has. Only one man can bring it to them. "Next year, that's what we always say." Said a Cavs fan after warriors clinched on their home floor last year. The look on his face was so defeated. Not just from the loss, but from the confirmation that "this is my life here. We cant catch a break." A very hard nosed, blue collar city deserves this championship. Only one man can bring it to them. Its much more than basketball. Its about a story. About a kid from Akron Ohio who was meant to bring a title and happiness to this city.What he has done for this city financially is off the charts. He has everything in the world. All the money in the world. A wife, kids, everything at his disposal. He's missing one thing...CERTIFICATION.
If Lebron James wins this game 7, he will be the first team to had ever come back from 3-1 in the finals. Only a few teams have even forced game 7 from down 3-1. Add Cavs to the list. He has to beat the 73 win record setting Warriors. He has to beat the back to back MVP. The unanimous MVP. He has to beat the media. He has to beat the public. He has to beat the world. He has to win in an arena you dont win in, TWICE. But it all comes down to this. One game. For everything. Pressure on Curry? Nope. None. There was never pressure on Curry. Anything he does in his career from this point on wont matter. He wasn't supposed to be here. He can lose 5 titles. He wasn't supposed to be there. He can not make the playoffs. He wasn't supposed to start. He can throw mouth guards at fans, and get ejected, and cuss the ref out. He wasn't supposed to be here. So who cares right? He's a "nice guy" right? Who cares. We all love Steph. Because Steph gonna Steph. Chef Curry. Perfect family. NBA father. Born into rich family. Who cares right? There's no struggle. Curry never had any pressure on him, and was never expected to win a title, let alone get to the finals. Anything he does is a bonus. Lebron doesn't get 7 titles? BUST. This is hood vs the rich. This is struggle vs the entitled. Steph and Klay NBA fathers. The entire team (minus Draymond) you can take home to mom. Lebron James HATES Father's day. He said it himself, it is the angriest day of the year for him. Will we see a superhero performance from an angry Lebron, whose father left him? This one's for you, dad.
A Lebron James game 7 win will cement his name in the books. It will cement his legacy. It couldn't have been harsher conditions for him. Come back from 3-1, and have to win 2 games in an unbeatable arena. Can you imagine? Can you imagine that look he gave Curry after blocking his shot in 40 years? Can you imagine how big of a moment that will have been for his legacy? "That look." Can you imagine him shutting the entire world up in one game? Can you imagine another 40 point dominant game to lift his team and city to a championship, finally bringing a title to Cleveland? This is going to be EPIC. And nothing short of it. It is single handedly the most important game in sports history. Yes, the history of sport. There's never been a bigger game EVER for one man in his career. There's never been a bigger game for a city, EVER. He either saves his legacy, and is officially in the discussion for greatest ever. Or he fails, and we go back to hating on him every chance we get. Lebron James has a chance to do something no athlete, no person has ever done. Silence the entire world, and make us finally respect him. King James, your move.
-GB
Why Using a Bookie is Costing You
Have you ever wondered why you're always frustrated with betting, even when you just went on a huge winning streak? I know why. You're using a bookie. Not once have I ever used a bookie. NOT ONCE. Here's many reasons why to avoid using them. First reason, you're getting robbed and costing yourself money. The lines offered are often worse or more expensive. You are limiting yourself to one outlet to wager at. You are essentially stuck with this bookie's line, only to see websites offering lines 1+ point better all over the place. Why shop at one grocery store to buy the same box of cereal for $6 when you can get it for $4 at another store? "But Golden, that's only $2 difference, who cares." Multiply that $2 by your entire life. That's the difference. The benefit of betting online (or preferably at casinos if you're near one) is that you get to shop for lines and find the best one, saving yourself a lot of money in the long run on half point losses that could have been wins.
However, the big reason for why I do not suggest using a bookie is because you are collecting or giving money every week or 2, or month, whatever it is. This is KILLER to your mindset and discipline toward sports betting. Absolutely crushing. I have many customers who have been with me since the beginning of football season and have made a KILLING overall. However, many of those same customers are extremely frustrated at recent short term results. Why? Not all of course, but many are with bookies. They don't have the bankroll built up in their account from September to look at the overall picture. Its black and white to them. Which i get. I do. But I don't agree with it. If you are up +350 units since December, you probably should be extremely thankful. Its very difficult to win in sports betting. To put in perspective, 1% of the entire world profits over 1 year in sports betting. 1%...I have been in this 1% for over 10 years. Thus, why this is my career and living.
The big thing here is that I have many customers who have been with me since September and are up HUGE and extremely happy, even with a poor past month results. Why is this? Its because they never withdrew their money from all the winning overall the past 6-7 months. That money is in their account. They never messed with it. Some have taken out a bit to help with bills and what not. But many have left that money in their account or even withdrew a big portion and put it in savings. This is extremely responsible. If you are up 200 units in 2 weeks and are on top of the world financially for 2 weeks, and go collect that money, and go blow all of it right away, i can see how the next 2 weeks of -50 units overall can be frustrating. However, you're up +150 units overall in 1 month. But you're extremely pissed, and I'm the worst handicapper on the face of the planet. This is what I deal with, constantly. What have you done for me lately, THE WORST MENTALITY THERE IS. Bookies are forcing you to be THREE TIMES AS DISCIPLINED as the average responsible website bettor. From what ive seen, this is nearly impossible for a lot of my customers. One bad week after months of winning and you give up and show the ugly side. if you didn't touch your bankroll for a while and let it build up, the month of losing wouldn't hurt much, because its only cutting into a much larger amount you previously won. So, bookies are ruining you, even if you're winning long term. The pressure of being in the plus every week, or every 2 weeks, has taken over your mind. Make the adjustment.
-GB
An Insider's View on the Ups and Downs of Sports Betting
-Golden Boy
February 1, 2016
This is a quick article about the psychological and emotional factors of sports betting. It is meant to symbolize the perspective of a person who purchased picks from a handicapper and to depict the highs and lows vibes and messages I received during this week of picks. it is also to share what I go through on a daily basis. I will review each day since last Tuesday.
Tuesday 1/26
We went 5-1 +35.75 units. The one loss was by a half point, where the Pacers lost by 2 on a +1.5 spread. Just missed the 6-0 sweep. All is good in the #GoldenEmpire. Spirits are high and hope is high. The future looks bright.
Wednesday 1/27
4-2 +19 units to keep the momentum alive from yesterday. This is now 9-3 +54.75 units past 2 days. New customers starting to believe. Existing customers continue to make money on consistent basis. “Just another day at the office.” Life is good.
Thursday 1/28
2-0 +20 units on this day. Hater accounts call me scam, and that I am lying about my records. I hit em with the email screen shots time stamped to my customers earlier in the day when I sent picks. Crickets occur. They are now at a loss for words. “We will get him tomorrow” said the haters. Meanwhile, while they spend their entire day seeking to make me out to be the bad guy (when really, im working my ass off around the clock digging for information to provide a better life for my customers, and have given incredible customer service, while being available 24/7 for advice and help for my customers) But hell, im a scam right? WRONG. We are now 11-3 +74.75 units past 3 days. This “scam” is providing his customers with more money and continues to give professional advice and professional approach to the game. Customers couldn't be happier at the hot streak.
Friday 1/29
Just 2 NBA picks today, and we went 1-1 and lost 1 unit on juice. Knicks blowout and Bucks tied with Heat with 45 seconds left, only to see D Wade hit a jumper to give the heat the lead. Bucks miss and foul, get ball back for a chance to cover with a 3 ball buzzer beater to lose by 1. Bucks step out of bounds and turn it over, game over. 1-1 split, on to tomorrow. Because 1-1 is always ok, when tomorrow is around the corner. Neutral audience from the customers and twitter.
Saturday 1/30
An odd day to say the least. 3-5 -17 units this day. We lost the Warriors 15 unit pick, after they blew a 24 point lead in second half, only to win by 3 points with a Harrison Barnes 3 ball winner with a second left. College hoops had 2 rough losses on Oklahoma and Kentucky. Kentucky up 1 with under 30 seconds to play, and Kansas gets fouled and hits 1 of 2 at the line, game ends up going to overtime to see a brutal Kansas cover in extra time. Oklahoma had the 3 point lead with under a minute left. Needed -4.5. They miss 2 one and one free throws, and LSU goes down and hits a 3 to tie it. Oklahoma makes a shot with 2 seconds left to give them the win while we prayed for overtime. Oklahoma hits their free throws and its a 7 point lead with probably 30 seconds left. But that's gambling...Point of this, we went 3-4 in NCAAB Saturday, but once you look back on the picks, it could have easily been 5-2. Sometimes, its a game of inches. And for aspiring young handicappers, this is ok. It is ok to go 3-4 in a day, while you “probably” should have been 5-2. The handicapping was there, the play was there, just a couple unfortunate unlucky breaks at the end cost the victory. This is OK. If the capping is strong and only a bad beat killed your bet, it is ok. This happens, and is part of gambling. Nothing to hold head down on. Quickly, new customers turn their heads, and bashing begins. As if the previous +73.75 units the past 4 days had not occurred. Impatience is ugly. “I want you to extend my membership a month after today’s bad picks.” I received a message for this request from a man who had just bought a month package. That’s 31 days...The judging occurred after just 1 day. Others “went big” and lost all the money they made in the previous winning days. Please guys, let the membership play out. After all this end of the world talk, we are +56.75 units past 5 days. I’LL TAKE IT.
Sunday
3-0 +30 units with a push. All is good again, and customers are happy. Apologies are sent my way from new customers who bashed me the previous day. After that -17 unit day yesterday, we pick up 30 today for a net profit of 13 units over 2 days. Suddenly, yesterday doesn't seem so bad now. The beauty of sports betting is that each day is a new day. I always preach that this is a process. If you trust me to bring you successful results, trust me to provide those results over a certain time frame. If you bought a month, let me give you a month of picks. Quitting and sulking after 2 bad days is not a good approach. After all this, we just picked up +86.75 units since last Tuesday.
I highly respect my customers who pay me their hard earned money for my expert advice. It IS a great investment. You are not just investing in my picks, and an email each day. You are investing in somebody who cares about your well being, is educated, is intelligent, is hard working beyond your imagination, is professional, and widely available and helpful, and simply provides winners and hot streaks like few do in this industry. By continuing to educate the bettors, I feel the future will be in better hands, not only in betting, but in life. Practice good habits and have patience. I always say this...if you can survive sports betting, you can survive anything. Trust my process, and the process will trust you. Make the commitment to doing this the right way, and following picks to the T, not chasing, and having patience. Not every day will be a winning day. But over a week, over a month, over a year, that is what matters. Let it play out, and enjoy the winning.
-GB
***The Truth Behind Betting***
-Golden Boy
January 18, 2016
First off, thank you for taking the time to read this. By reading this you are making the first step to beating the odds. This message is written with 15 years of experience and knowledge. It is meant to help all sports bettors reach a point where every day is a success, win or lose.
I started handicapping at the age of 13. I made every mistake in the book. You name it I did it. A few common mistakes I made that everybody makes: Chasing, betting too much, having unrealistic expectations, betting for fun, betting when I'm bored, betting to make rent, betting the early 9am games to “load up for the rest of the day,” betting the latest game on the board to make up for a bad day. There’s plenty of mistakes left, but these are the biggest ones. I too, found myself paying for picks from handicappers at a young age, only to lose my entire bankroll. I always heard about these handicappers having big seasons and making everybody money. I never lasted the entire season. I would lose my bankroll in the first month of the season, only to see my handicapper dominate the rest of the season. Go figure. “My luck” I always thought. Here we go again, my bad luck strikes again.
After years went by, I found this to be a common thought process by the majority of the public. Everybody thinks they are unlucky in gambling. Why? Because 99% of gamblers lose money over the course of a year (a huge study done year after year, this is factual). Everybody thinks they can win, and says they can win. The truth is, only a handful can win at it over time.
As I got older, I started catching on to how I lost bets. I started realizing my mistakes. “Well, if I always lost because I did THIS, maybe I should do the opposite.” MAYBE, just maybe, I could start thinking different than others. I went into my offshore account, and started handicapping myself. Where did I lose the most? What time of day were my big losses? How often do I have losing streaks? In these losing streaks, how long do they last? How long do my win streaks last? I handicapped EVERYTHING that I did to screw things up. I realized some of these cappers were actually having big seasons, but the problem was I couldn't last my bankroll the entire season to see the profits. I too, was one of those trolls on twitter calling out cappers, when really, it was me who was making the mistakes and being unrealistic. I started to turn it all around, and take responsibility for my own actions. I became, get this...A MAN.
When I decided to stop blaming everything on handicappers, it all came together. I stopped making all the mistakes I mentioned above. The only problem was, my handicapper never even responded to me over these years. There was zero customer service, how was I supposed to be educated about betting? How do you expect me to be set up for success if I don't even know how this all works?
I wrote down every mistake I ever made in sports betting. The biggest one I wrote down was the fact that I did not accept losing days. I did not accept that if I won 55% of my bets, I would lose 45% of my bets. Mind boggling right? Seems like a process set up for failure, but I encourage everybody to sit down and do the math on 55% win rate. It will surprise you, but only over the long run. Eliminate the chasing, eliminate the fun big bets, eliminate the thinking that this is easy, eliminate stupidity in general. YOU CANNOT WIN AT SPORTS BETTING IF YOU CANNOT ACCEPT LOSING.
Let’s say you bought a 2 week package from a handicapper. He loses the first 4 days, going 5-12. He sucks right? WRONG. You bought a 2 week package. So why wont you allow him to serve you for 2 weeks? After 4 days, of your 2 week package, you have lost all faith in the guy. You end up doing your own bets and making it worse, then blame the handicapper for your sudden pressure to make up lost money. But what if the capper goes 20-8 the rest of the package? That’s a 25-20 record. Does he still suck? If you were patient, you would have won. My point with this, if you aren't willing to see 2 week results, why did you buy the 2 week pass in the first place if you have no patience? Why do you think it’s a MUST to win immediately? Success comes over time, not overnight.
I want everyone to accept the fact that losing happens. I promise you, when you accept this fact, it all changes. EVERYTHING. I have had customers tell me I was a scam a day after I went 6-0 for them. The next day I go 1-3 and now I'm a scam. This is beyond unacceptable mindset. It’s a mental disorder, is what it is. You are now 7-3 over 2 days, but its all about today right? Wrong…
People need to understand handicappers (real ones) lose as well when you lose. I for one, am not sitting here cheering and dancing after a losing day. I am just as frustrated as you are that I let down customers who willingly paid me their hard earned money and put their trust in me. This is not something I enjoy.
I encourage everyone to put WAY TOO MUCH MONEY into your betting account, wherever you bet. This allows you to have the mindset that you are nowhere near re-depositing money back into your account. it allows you to feel no pressure to win. It allows you to accept losing days and move on to tomorrow. This is a very important thing to do in my opinion. The closer your account is to zero, the more you chase, the more you overbet, and the more you end up suffering and emptying your account, even if your handicapper is doing well. Remember guys, when you choose a handicapper, it was your decision to do that. The handicapper is sharing his picks with you that YOU requested. Keep this in mind.
Go handicap your account, and find out what you did wrong. If you chose a capper that simply lost for you, and was not good, then so be it. At least you LOST the right way. And that is where my comment on Twitter about having success at this every day came from. There’s something to be proud of when creating good habits. I always found it satisfying when I was on a losing streak to look back at my bets and see that i actually didn't do one thing wrong other than simply losing. There was something to be proud of that I did it the right way and stuck to good habits, even though I lost. I took off with these good habits and eventually the winning came over time as I continued to eliminate all mistakes. This includes betting small on holidays, having minimal bets on big days, going small after a few bad losing days. Instead of chasing, i “reverse chase.” When im slumping I know it, and I go smaller until I'm out of my funk. My customers will tell you this. I accept that the bad parts of sports betting will occur, and I'm using it to my advantage. I don't let my customers get buried because of this. If anyone noticed, I won almost every day from December 17th to December 31st. I then lost almost every day the first week of January. Some people called me a scam during that first week of January, and gave up on me. My other clients who were patient, realized patience is key. And we then went on another incredible hot streak. Main point here is that I handled the slump just as good as I handled the win streak, and that is where great handicappers are made.
Today I am proud to say I simply do not mess up on the technical and tactical side of my job. If I lose, I simply, just lose. It is nothing else. It is not because of chasing or fun betting when Im bored, or pressing for wins to save clients. Its simply because I cannot always win. Slumps are expected, bigger win streaks are expected. I have consistently hit at a rate of 56%+ on all sports for over 10 years. On 100 bets per month, 56 wins and 44 losses average. If you are betting just $150 a game on these on flat betting, you profited $700 after juice each month. Over a year that is $8,400. Over 10 years that is $84,000. Still think 56% isn't great? Think again. Scamdicappers have brainwashed bettors for ages. The lies of telling clients they hit 70% consistently is sickening to me. Nobody can hit over 60% over the long run. Nobody. If they say they do, they are lying. The best documented gambler in the world past 10 years has hit at a documented 57% on all bets. It is incredible consistency. The difference between 57% and 56% by the way is HUGE over time. It takes 52.4% to break even in sports betting on your standard -110 juice/vig. (aka tax on each bet).
It took years and years to create successful habits and create a championship mindset. Today I consider myself one of the best handicappers in the world not because of my win rate consistency, but everything else I have to offer. The service, the teaching, the communication, the availability for my customers to speak to, is what I am proud of. The winning came over time as I eliminated mistakes the common bettor makes. I have become a line interpreter over years and years of studying mistakes of the public. My knowledge of what the lines mean and what movement when and how and where is what gives me the ability to provide successful results for my customers. But remember, If i hit 56%, I lose 44%. Can you accept that? If you cant, you shouldn't be gambling. If you can, you have made a smart decision.
My last piece of advice. Stop betting parlays, and don't get involved in online drama. It’s silly. I care for all my customers, and I will always look out for you guys. You made me, and you allow me to maintain a career I love and will go beyond limits to make it worth your while.
-GB