Short-term success in gambling is a common and almost expected goal. However, over the long run any bettor can expect the mathematical probabilities to take hold, meaning their win-loss record should conform more closely to the natural gambling odds of 50-50.

This can be seen in the plays of any gambling operator. They make so many more bets than an individual player that they experience first hand that certainty of mathematics. For a single bettor, even an extended series of bets is still a generally short run compared to several months or years of playing. Therefore, a short run of success or failure can vary considerably from the long-run expectations. You may know them as winning or losing streaks.

Just like the players or teams in any particular sport, someone on a winning streak is said to be "hot" while someone on a losing streak is "cold". I've often seen certain bettors get so hot that no matter what game he puts money on or how he places his bets he continues to win.

Fortunately for my customers and me, I've been a "hot player" over the past 11 days. Over that time I'm 15-6-1 with my combined college and pro basketball selections, grossing a handsome +43 Units. In college basketball in particular I've had a strong run, going 9-2 in my last 11 games and 10-4 for the month of February.

While this is considered short-term success, those numbers fall in the range of what I've accomplished over the course of the entire season. Over the past 50 days I've show a profit 35 times and over the past 95 days my record is 64-30-1. For the season, that has allowed me to bank +97 Units in college basketball alone!

Now, winning streaks sometimes continue for weeks at a time. But since the odds are against the players one can expect more losing streaks than winning streaks over the long haul. Also, the maximum limit at sportsbooks prevents progressive-system players from doubling up on their bet each time he loses until he finally wins the bet that gets him back to even and recoups all of his loses.

Remember, the books don't operate on the hope that they will win more bets than they lose. Because they have action on most games in all sports their profit comes from the favorable percentage they earn on every bet made. Between that percentage - the vigorish or "vig" - and the maximum betting limit the houses have an inherent advantage that insulates them from long-term losses.

But for an individual player like you or I, we have to maximize our profits during these hot streaks and minimize our losses during out cold ones. And know that here at Doc's Sports we're here to help you get every edge that you need!!!