As legal sports betting continues to proliferate across the U.S., more and more Americans are taking part. But to be successful at wagering, it’s not as simple as laying down a bet on your favorite team. In fact, laying off your favorite time is usually a good idea.
Jack Andrews, co-founder of Unabated Sports, is among the betting professionals featured on a new MasterClass for sports betting. “Bet Smart: Top Sports Betting Strategies” went live Dec. 10, and is available to MasterClass members. MasterClass grants access to hundreds of courses for members to learn skills from the world’s foremost experts, and the service’s pantheon now includes a sports betting course.
Along with five other industry experts, Andrews shares insights. The goal is to teach participants how to understand markets, manage a bankroll, find hidden edges, and share additional betting strategies. In addition to Andrews,”Bet Smart” features Audacy’s BetQL Network host Nick Kostos, ESPN Sports Betting Analyst Joe Fortenbaugh and Unabated co-founder Rufus Peabody, ProSports gambler Gina Fiore and CEO of Betstamp and the Hammer Betting Network Rob Pizzola.
“The class is geared towards a novice bettor,” Andrews said. “It is meant to be an introduction to sports betting that sets them off on the right track. For seasoned bettors, there are many tips for finding new angles beyond the bets they may be used to making.”
Pillars of successful betting
To familiarize new bettors with the complexities of sports betting, the class includes a few key pillars:
Master the Fundamentals: The instructors break down key terms like moneyline, parlays, and spreads, and share how to manage a bankroll and spot those golden opportunities the sportsbooks hope they miss.
Think Like a Sharp: Members will learn how to analyze betting lines, identify and exploit edges, and use tools like “devigging” calculators to find value and hidden opportunities.
The Science of Betting Smart: Members will learn to use statistics and probabilities to make better bets, breaking free from superstition and emotion.
Real-World Examples: The instructors will recount their losses, reveal some of their most successful bets and explain their strategic approach to high-stakes scenarios. They’ll also share how to spot market inefficiencies and maximize returns.
Rather than shelling out picks without context, “Bet Smart” aims to bring more knowledge to the table for bettors.
Anyone looking to learn more about sports betting has no shortage of voices telling them their lock of the day,” said Andrews. “But when it comes to learning fact-based knowledge of how sports betting and the betting ecosystem works, it can be tough to know who to trust. MasterClass compiled betting experts and storytellers to craft this 68-minute overview. It provides a strong foundation that prospective bettors can build upon. Everything from ‘what does -110 mean?’ to practical advice on how someone can learn to beat these markets.”
Staying Ahead of the Curve
Included in the “Bet Smart” course is a section called “Emotional Bankroll.” Andrews says it’s geared toward “Making sure people understand the swings of gambling. How success at gambling greatly depends not on how much you win, but how you handle losses.
“There is advice and real-life stories of what not to do. Chasing losses. Keeping poor records. We also touch on the reality that most sportsbooks have a glass ceiling. They will limit you if you win. The nice part about Masterclass as a subscription-based service is they aren’t afraid of offending sponsors.”
Further, Andrews says the launch of “Bet Smart” represents a wider trend of sports betting finding ways to the mainstream.
“I think it’s a sign that the public wants the facts,” Andrews said. “MasterClass has a high standard for fact-based knowledge transfer with high production quality. People are willing to pay a premium in the form of a subscription to learn from vetted instructors.”
