Most people don't lose because they pick the wrong team. They lose because they bet like the sportsbook designed them to.

Parlays. Chasing. 5-unit "locks" after a bad Sunday. Betting the game they want to watch instead of the number.

The book doesn't need you to be dumb. It needs you to be impatient.

If you're going to bet, do it like this:

• Sides only, or a tight card. Not 8-leg parlays.

• Same unit size for most play. Only go big when you love it.

• Skip games you don't have an edge on. Most nights that's most of the slate.

That's the whole edge for 90% of people. The rest is line shopping and not tilting.

That's the standard in this room.