It is perfectly reasonable to be passionate about your hobbies and activities.  But where do you draw the line between a healthy infatuation and an unhealthy obsession?  Its not always as obvious as one would think.

Certainly the warning signs for an extreme problem gambler are easy for most of us to recite:

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• Do you risk more than you can comfortably afford to lose

• Do you spend money meant for bills on gambling

• Do you lose sleep over your bets

• Do you set limits and then exceed them if you lose

• Do you lie to loved ones about your gambling losses

What of a winning bettor, though?  Surely its possible to be compulsive about your sports betting and still be a winner.  How then would you know?  If you’re winning, aren’t your actions the necessary actions of a winner?  Maybe yes, maybe no.  Here is some advice we like to share with sports bettors:

Listen to Others About Your Sports Betting  Habits

Listen to others.  Your true friends and family members are concerned about you.  If they are telling you that they worry about some aspect of your gambling, then you would do well to be attentive to their observations.  They may be more objective than you are.  Do not be dismissive of their concerns.  Be open and willing to discuss the issues.  Being defensive will do nothing to persuade them you are keeping a healthy perspective.

If you’re winning no one is complaining to you about money. They are most likely complaining about the amount of time you are spending on your hobby.  Most of us spend too much time on something we enjoy at some point, it’s very easy to do. 

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If you’re handicapping you have to pour over the games and stats.  Once you’ve determined your line(s) you want to shop around to find the best values at your sportsbooks.  Then you might want to read a bit about sports betting online so as to increase your knowledge or at least stay current on techniques, deals and sportsbook reviews.  And, of course, you’ll want to watch the games you’ve bet on so that you can ride the emotional roller coaster you’ve created by putting some money on the outcome.

Add that all up, and your day may very well be completely consumed with sports betting.  People who love you will quickly notice that you are eating, sleeping and walking sports betting all day, every day.  And they are correct – its not healthy, even if you are winning.

You don’t need to study sports betting every day.  Set up some specific dates and times to read some internet articles and forums, and stick to it.  Likewise, you don’t have to watch every game you bet on.  Contrary to popular belief, your presence in front of the TV does not have any impact on the game’s outcome.  Get out and enjoy your life – and this does not infer that you should compulsively check the score on your mobile phone or PDA.   

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Sports betting is an entertaining pastime that can also be profitable.  Just be careful that you are not taking it too far.  And if someone who loves you thinks you might be - they may well be right.  Even if you are winning.