Every serious bettor keeps a record, because memory flatters winners, forgets losers, and hides which markets actually make money.

A simple spreadsheet with date, event, market, selection, odds, stake, bookmaker, result and profit is enough to start, and it takes under a minute per bet.

After 100 bets, the record reveals your return on investment, win rate, average odds, best and worst markets, and your largest losing streak.

Review the record monthly, cut markets that consistently lose, double down on research in markets that win, and never judge yourself on a single weekend.