Never bet what you can’t afford to lose.

This is the simplest rule to understand, but the hardest rule to stick to. Every gambler who’s hit a winning streak or a losing streak has fallen into the trap and gambled away money they couldn't afford to lose.

It is the gambler's curse. Win or lose this time, it will lead to disaster in the long-term. Bigger stakes on a winning streak are a sure way of guaranteeing that the bookies get back every penny you won off them - and a lot quicker than even they anticipated.

The safest way to get as much enjoyment out of the gambling experience is to work out how much money you can afford to lose before you start. Remember - before you place a bet - imagine how you'll feel if/when the bet loses.  If the thought of losing it makes you feel sick, it’s not a good idea.

Here you can find some useful links to help keep your gaming practices in control:
GamCare is a charitable organization that provides help to those with gambling issues. If you have any questions, or advice about gambling or if you are worried about the gambling of someone you know, please contact GamCare online or by phone.
Helpline: 0845 6000 133 (24 hour, 7 days a week)

Website: Click here to visit GamCare

Contact Address: GamCare, 2nd Floor, 7-11 St John's Hill, London, SW11 1T

The National Council on Problem Gambling is an organization designed to help those with gambling problems and to help spread public awareness about gambling addiction and the resources available to help you stop.
Help line: 1-800-522-4700 (24/7 Confidential hotline)
Website: Click here to visit the National Council on Problem Gambling
Contact Address: National Council on Problem Gambling, 730 11th St., NW, Ste 601, Washington DC 20001

I Stopped Gambling is an online gambling addiction resource that offers a membership based program with access to many types of resources through their store, like books.
Website: I Stopped Gambling
Email: info@istoppedgambling.com

Don’t try and be too clever
It is worth remembering the old Chinese proverb 'every journey starts with a single step', when you place your first bet. Try a single bet. A small profit is better than any sized loss.

• Learn how to place a bet
• Learn how the odds work
• Learn how difficult it is to pick one winner
• Learn and enjoy the feeling that collecting the "payout" gives you

Bet what you know
It is hard enough working out who will win a football match without complicating things still further by betting on an event when you know nothing about the teams or the league. Don't be tempted to place large amounts of money on an obscure match in the Mexican or Peruvian League just because you read one article on it. Do the research on YOUR favorite teams ... learn about your bets !

Beware of “hot insider tips”
There are plenty of people who are keen to give you information that will, according to them, make you a fortune.

Whether it be through websites that claim to have the perfect formula to win on the football pools, to premium rate telephone lines claiming to be experts, to websites that charge for information to help you 'take a fortune off the bookies'.

Never pay for advice.
If people are making money on their advice then they should be able to give it away for FREE. By all means read the websites (like GoonersGuide.com) and ask questions ... but remember you need to decide to follow the advice - or not ... nothing is ever 100% certain ... don't follow any advice blindly. You are best off developing your own technique, gambling what you can afford. Trust your own instincts.

Long shots are high payers for a reason
A 50/1 shot is a long shot for a reason. If the bookies are prepared to give you £50 for every £1 you wager, then this horse, golfer or football team is probably not going to win during your lifetime.

That's not to say that 50/1 shots never, ever, ever come in. But they don't win often.

Remember that the bookmaker likes to take between 5% and 10% profit from each transaction, and the higher the odds the more "juice" they take so its reasonable to say that only about 1% of 50/1 bets actually win.

There is a very good reason why bookmakers are very successful businesses - and it is not because they are charitable or give money away.