Patience the key in 2018

It is great to be back at the keyboard after a very enjoyable break and I wish all of this column’s readers a prosperous 2018 and for those who enjoy a flutter, let’s hope we can finish ahead of the bookmakers this year.

I won’t go into detail as there was plenty of it in last year’s blogs, but 2017 is a year I want to put a line under and simply move on from. It was a year in which my discipline slipped and I lost a packet on the spreads. I didn’t do very well in the fixed odds markets, either.

Of course, while moving on, it is important to learn from the mistakes of 2017 and this year my focus will be on a more controlled betting strategy with less chasing of losses. Greed was a big factor in my demise last year and I am determined to be more patient this time around.

I have made a relatively low key start to the new campaign with just a few bets placed. I fancied India to get something at Newlands and after teasing me on day four, they collapsed. I have also had a couple of football losses but, fortunately, stakes have been conservative as I search for what I perceive to be better value opportunities.

It may well be that I have to wait a while for those opportunities and with Super Rugby and the Six Nations on the horizon, my aim is not to get sucked into too much of the northern hemisphere rugby currently on the go.

I have historically struggled in Europe and while I will no doubt have the odd wager – we have some quality northern hemisphere contributors in the Goodforthegame forum – I will be selective and will stay away from the spreads.

The Pro14 is a European tournament but this weekend throws up an interesting scenario with the Kings hosting the Cheetahs in what would usually have been a Super Rugby encounter.

The Cheetahs should start around -17.5 point favourites. I don’t have a firm view on the game as yet but fancy we will get plenty of points, so I may find myself getting involved on the night.

Brent Graham is a sports betting blogger at

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