Your guide to responsible gaming, featuring 10 tips to help bettors approach TGL Presented by SoFi.
Editor's note: Birches Health is the leading national provider of Gambling Addiction treatment and Responsible Gaming resources, offering specialized support from the comfort of home, covered by insurance.
Before you bet on TGL, check out the responsible gaming tips below to help keep it fun, casual and sustainable.
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1. Set Limits
Today, the sportsbook apps that offer TGL betting also have important features that allow users to set limits around their play. These include maximum deposit levels, wager sizes, loss amounts and caps on time spent per day. Limits should be utilized by all players, not just those who may struggle to control their betting. At the most basic level, if you know that you would never be comfortable losing a certain amount, simply set a deposit limit for that number to help prevent you from doing so.
2. Don't chase losses
Chasing losses involves betting more in an attempt to win back what was lost before. But often as additional losses compound, some bettors end up losing more than they can afford and seeing serious financial impacts. One of the most common problem gambling indicators, loss-chasing behaviors are seen by Birches Health's therapists every day in clients entering our gambling addiction recovery program.
3. Pick a budget and don't exceed it
Before placing any wagers, determine how much you are able to budget toward TGL betting or gambling overall. This needs to be a figure that you could lose completely without any impact on your financial health. First, promise yourself that if you ever lose that amount, you will stop and not deposit again. Then, as an extra layer of protection, go into your sportsbook app and set a Deposit Limit for that figure.
4. Don't deviate from your unit size
A "unit" in sports betting is your typical bet size. It connects to the concept of a betting budget, as your unit size should be only a small percentage of your total bankroll. All bettors encounter cold streaks from time to time, so being disciplined with your unit size and never over-extending with larger wagers can help limit the chances of losing your entire bankroll. This relates directly with the idea of keeping your TGL betting "sustainable," as maintaining a conservative unit size can help prevent you from facing the decision of either stopping or making another deposit.
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5. Only bet with a clear mind
Avoid gambling while under the influence or in a highly emotional state. Decision-making skills and risk-assessment abilities are critical when betting, so you should never do so if you're not thinking clearly. If you know that you'll be drinking while watching an upcoming TGL match and will also want some action on it, place your bets well beforehand.
6. Understand your disadvantage as a bettor
First of all, there is an incredibly high number of variables that can impact the outcomes of TGL matches and sporting events in general, which can make it difficult to predict them correctly. Second, the odds are skewed in the sportsbooks' favor, so it's much more likely that you will lose money than turn a profit long term when wagering on sports. Therefore, a good approach to sports betting is: hope for the best, but expect the worst.
7. Never borrow to bet
If you don't have the funds that you need to bet, you should definitely not be gambling in the first place. Borrowing money or using credit to bet is very dangerous, as it can easily and quickly result in debts that you are unable to pay. Only bet with money that you have in hand and can afford to lose entirely.
8. Stay disciplined, don't risk more on big events
As the competition stakes get higher during the final portion of the TGL regular season and throughout the playoffs, it's important that your betting stakes remain consistent. Stay disciplined and do not increase your risk levels for "bigger" matches, even when the SoFi Cup is on the line!
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9. Learn all of the rules
Simply put, there is nothing else in the world of professional sports like TGL. Everything in the unique two-session, 15-hole matches — from fun features like the Hammer to otherworldly hole designs — creates a never-before-seen type of competition. Therefore, prospective bettors may want to experience it at least once and get fully familiar before placing any bets.
10. Know where to turn for help
Unfortunately, following the nine responsible gaming tips above does not guarantee that you'll never be impacted by a gambling problem. So having and spreading awareness of specialized support options and resources is key.
Birches Health offers confidential online gambling addiction treatment with the largest nationwide team of specially trained counselors. Care is confidential, secure and can be covered by insurance or state funding for eligible residents.