Best Tips and Bets for Louisiana Newbies

The sports betting industry in Louisiana is booming. With Louisiana sports betting becoming more popular across the state, local residents can place wagers on all types of sporting events — professional leagues to college football. If you are interested in experiencing the rush of sports betting, it is wise to learn a few things prior to starting out.

Common Mistakes Beginners Make When Betting
What Is the Best Bet for Beginners?
Why Single Bets Are Best for Beginners
The Double Chance Bet
Are You Able to Use Multiple Sportsbooks?
Who Offers the Best Odds?

Common Beginner Mistakes When Betting

Let's dispel one myth immediately: becoming instantly rich by sports betting is not realistic. If that's your attitude, it's best to stay away. Betting successfully entails patience and self-control — particularly when it comes to bankroll management.

A rule of thumb is to never bet more than 5% of your total betting bankroll ("bankroll") on any one bet. To use an example, if you have a $100 bankroll, your maximum bet would be $5 per bet. This policy protects you against rapid losing and keeps you playing longer.

Another crucial advice: bet exclusively on sports and leagues that you actually specialize in. You are effectively competing against the sportsbook, who also has expert expertise on their side. Never bet on your favorite team, as emotional bias will be too much for you to handle. Bet sensibly at all times and make decisions based on statistics.

And the last trap to be avoided: the so-called "rage bet" — betting more after losing in hopes of winning back your money. Don't make it, wait, analyze the next match well, and remain calm.

What's the Best Type of Bet for a Beginner?

For the new Louisiana bettor, single bets (also known as straight bets) and combination bets (parlays) are simplest. Single bets are a good choice since you're just betting on one outcome — such as which team will win a football game. You could bet on home win, draw, or away win. Let's say LSU is playing Alabama and you bet $5 that LSU wins at +150. If they do, your payout would be $12.50.

However, combination bets are two or more events where all of them must be correct to win. An easy example would be LSU to win and the Saints to win on the same ticket. These are paid more but are riskier.

Single Bets Are for Beginners

It's always wiser when starting out to place single bets rather than parlaying multiple games. Even experienced gamblers scarcely combine more than three matches in a parlay. That's because with each additional game you add, there's an even bigger chance of one wrong guess ruining your entire ticket.

Single bets represent about 80% of total betting in sportsbooks — and the reason why. They offer greater long-term consistency and less volatility.

The Double Chance Bet

Double Chance is a great option for cautious beginners. It increases your chances of winning, but the odds are lower. With Double Chance, you’re betting on two outcomes at once — for example, home win or draw (1X), away win or draw (X2), or home win or away win (12).

Example: If the Saints play at home against the Falcons, a Double Chance bet could be:

Bet Option 1: Saints win or draw – 1X
Bet Option 2: Falcons win or draw – X2
Bet Option 3: Saints win or Falcons win – 12

You have won the bet if either of the two outcomes selected occurs.

Can You Use Multiple Sportsbooks?

Yes, and you ought to, too! Signing up with two or more Louisiana-licensed sportsbooks allows you to claim multiple welcome bonuses. This means that you have additional money to bet with, without ever having to pay out of your own pocket first. That way, some early losses won't hurt as much — especially if you follow the 5% rule.

Always check the credibility of the sportsbook by visiting reviews and requesting licenses from the Louisiana Gaming Control Board or other trusted sources.