General 4 min read

How to Overcome Emotions With Sports Betting

We look at how to overcoming emotions when it comes to sports betting. Learn when to wager on your favorite team and when to avoid bets.

Published September 15, 2023 Updated March 19, 2026
John Mehaffey
John Mehaffey
Lead Sports Betting Analyst

There are a number of tips and strategies to use when betting on sports, but there is one tip that you will always see mentioned by the top bettors in the industry. This tip is to avoid betting on your favorite team, as that will keep emotions out of the process. More generally, you could just say that you need to learn how to overcome emotions in sports betting. This post explains both how and why.

There are many bettors that get into the industry to bet on their favorite team. However, this is a dangerous strategy. This could potentially work out in the short term, but it is not a strategy that will work for a long time.

Betting with emotions and fandom is extremely dangerous because it limits the ability to make a sound bet. Upsets and surprising results happen in sports all of the time, and that goes against what most fans come to expect. 

If you are going to bet with your emotions, which again is not recommended, you will find that you are even more disappointed than when your team loses a big game.  

Futures Bets Are Okay When Betting on Sports

The only time that placing a bet on one of your favorite teams is okay is if you are placing a futures bet. This type of bet should always be made with a smaller betting unit. Then, you won’t be out a ton of money if this bet doesn’t work out. 

Popular futures bets include big events such as the Super Bowl, the World Series, the NBA Finals, and the Stanley Cup. These are appropriate future bets that may include one of your favorite teams.

It’s fine to bet your favorite team to win an upcoming championship as long as you are not breaking the bank. This will give you an even bigger rooting interest. Additionally, you will not be betting on each game individually during a season, which is very risky. 

No In-Play Betting

In-play betting has become one of the most popular forms of betting in the United States. However, this can also be extremely risky when betting on your favorite team. It’s great to follow along and support your team, but you want to overcome emotions while placing bets.

You are going into the game as a fan and not as someone who has done research regarding sports betting. Don’t try to predict how your favorite team will do as you have too many emotions invested in the outcome. 

Placing any bet on your favorite team is risky, but doing so while the game is going on is reckless. It may also prove to be costly.  This type of betting is never recommended. 

Always Bet With Your Brain

If you are going to be successful in the sports betting industry, you must always bet with your mind instead of your heart. This is one of the first rules when it comes to sports betting. It is one that simply must be followed.

There are times when betting on your favorite team will work out for the best. However, you won’t find that it happens very often. It is simply too hard to make an intelligent decision when you bet on your favorite team at either the collegiate or professional level. 

You have to be able to keep emotions and fandom out of the equation when betting on sports for any chance at being successful. This might take some of the “fun” out of wagering on sports, but it will also keep more money in your pocket which is important.

About the Author - E-E-A-T Verified

John Mehaffey

John Mehaffey

Lead Sports Betting Analyst

John Mehaffey is a veteran sports betting journalist with over 15 years of experience covering the US regulated gambling industry. He has reported on the evolution of American sports betting from the repeal of PASPA in 2018 through the rapid expansion of legal sportsbooks across 38+ states. His work focuses on sportsbook reviews, regulatory analysis, and consumer education — helping bettors make informed decisions in a rapidly changing landscape.

Credentials & Experience
  • 15+ years covering US sports betting & gambling regulation
  • Covered PASPA repeal and subsequent state-by-state legalization
  • Member of the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG)
  • Former contributor to ESPN, Action Network, and Legal Sports Report
  • Personally tested and reviewed 30+ licensed US sportsbooks
  • Quoted in The New York Times, Washington Post, and Bloomberg
Hands-On Testing

John has placed legal wagers in 20+ states, tested every major sportsbook app firsthand, and maintains direct relationships with sportsbook operators and state regulators. His reviews are based on hands-on testing of deposits, withdrawals, customer support, odds competitiveness, and mobile app experience.