Tailing in sports betting refers to the practice of copying or following the bets made by another person, typically a perceived expert or successful bettor. It involves placing the same wagers as the individual you are tailing.
What Tailing Involves
Tailing is not about blindly mimicking every pick. It means:
- Identifying a trusted source: Someone whose analysis, reasoning, and track record you respect.
- Placing identical wagers: Betting the same side, odds, and market as the source.
- Based on their expertise: Relying on their research and judgment for your bet.
How to Place Tail Bets
- Select Your Source: Research potential experts (tipsters, analysts, knowledgeable bettors). Focus on consistent track records over short-term luck. Understand their rationale.
- Analyze the Tailed Pick: Do not bet blindly. Briefly assess the pick against your own knowledge. Does the source's reasoning hold up? Does it fit within your strategy?
- Execute the Identical Bet: Place your bet on the same outcome, at the same odds (or as close as possible), and in the same betting market (e.g., Moneyline, Point Spread) as the source. Confirm the bet details match.
- Practice Bankroll Management: Stake only what you would normally risk for any bet. Base your stake amount on your bankroll, not the size of the source's bet.
- Track the Outcome: Keep records of tailed bets just like your other wagers to evaluate the source's long-term effectiveness.
Advantages of Tailing
- Saves Research Time: Leverages others' dedicated analysis.
- Potential for Better Results: Following proven winners can improve your win rate.
- Learning Opportunity: Observing successful bettors' rationale can refine your own skills.
Key Considerations
- No Guarantees: Even proven experts lose bets. Losses are inevitable.
- Trust & Vetting: Thoroughly vet sources. Be wary of unrealistic claims or guaranteed wins.
- Still Requires Discipline: Apply sound bankroll management independently.
- Ownership: You are ultimately responsible for your placed wagers.
