betting strategy

Phil Smith: How a Professional Bettor Made Over 100% ROI

Posted on by Peter Ling

What does it actually take to make a living from betting?

Not simply finding the occasional winner, but identifying a genuine edge, exploiting it consistently and – perhaps most importantly a adapting when things stop working.

That’s the subject of our latest How I Bet For Profit video interview, available exclusively to Smart Betting Club members.

My guest is Phil Smith, a professional bettor and antepost specialist with an outstanding long-term record – including an extraordinary 2025/26 season that ultimately produced around 100% ROI.

Exclusive Video Interview Now Available For SBC Members.

Inside the Mind of a Professional Bettor

Phil’s route into antepost betting actually began almost by accident.

Having initially concentrated on trading, he started exploring football antepost markets as something of a side interest. After turning an initial bankroll of around £3,000 into £12,000, and importantly tracking the bets along the way, he realised there appeared to be a significant edge worth pursuing.

That edge has since developed into his full-time profession.

In this exclusive interview, Phil explains:

  • How he identifies antepost markets where bookmaker prices haven’t caught up with changing circumstances.
  • Why predicting where a price is going can be as important as predicting the eventual winner.
  • How he researches teams, leagues and goalscorer markets.
  • Why knowing which markets not to bet is crucial.
  • How he constructs and manages a portfolio containing thousands of bets.
  • The role of hedging, staking and risk management in his approach

It’s a fascinating look at the work that goes on behind the headline profits.

From a Challenging Season to Over 100% ROI

Perhaps the most interesting part of Phil’s story, however, is what happened when things didn’t quite go according to plan.

Following a more challenging 2024/25 season, Phil analysed his performance and identified where he could improve in his choice of markets, staking and where he was placing his bets.

The changes were substantial – and what followed was an exceptional 2025/26 campaign that ultimately produced over 100% ROI.

Even more revealingly, Phil can still identify mistakes he made during that hugely profitable season and areas he believes can be improved further.

It’s a great example of something we repeatedly emphasise at SBC: long-term profitable betting isn’t just about finding an edge. It’s about continually testing, refining and adapting it.

SBC Members Can Also Join Phil Smith Select

There’s another reason why this interview is particularly timely.

We’ve recently teamed up with Phil to launch Phil Smith Select, a separate betting service available exclusively to SBC members, giving subscribers the opportunity to follow a more accessible version of his antepost approach throughout the season.

Note – Phil Smith Select requires its own subscription in addition to SBC membership. The full How I Bet For Profit video interview with Phil is included as part of your standard SBC membership.

The emphasis is particularly on goalscorer bets and accumulators, with modest stakes allowing followers to gradually build a portfolio across the football season.

As a member, you’ll also receive access to our independent, in-depth betting service reviews, exclusive interviews with successful bettors, strategy and educational content, practical betting advice, the monthly SBC Magazine and a growing range of member-only offers.

Join the Smart Betting Club today and you’ll gain immediate access to the full Phil Smith How I Bet For Profit interview, along with our latest SBC Magazine, independent betting service reviews, exclusive member content and offers.

You’ll also have the option to join Phil Smith Select and follow Phil’s bets throughout the season.

Why Betting Odds-On Can Be More Profitable Than You Think

Posted on by Peter Ling

There is a particular type of bet that many experienced bettors instinctively dislike.

A 1.30 shot.

A 1.20 shot.

Sometimes even shorter.

The usual reaction is that there cannot possibly be much value at those prices.

But what if that thinking is wrong?

And what if avoiding short priced bets means ignoring some of the best betting opportunities available?

That is something we have been highlighting at the Smart Betting Club for years.

And this week, independent tipster and betting analyst Craig Edwards provided a very interesting example of it.

“I Rarely Bet Odds On”

Craig has just published a detailed review of WinnerOdds, a service we have followed, reviewed and recommended at SBC for several years.

What makes his experience particularly interesting is that WinnerOdds goes against Craig’s normal betting instincts.

As he explains:

“Anyone who follows my stuff will know I rarely bet odds on, very rarely, but this service in general is the opposite.”

Craig originally subscribed after our recommendation at Smart Betting Club.

Nearly 30 months later, his verdict is pretty emphatic:

“I did and have never looked back!”

You can read Craig’s full independent WinnerOdds review here:

​https://craigedwards811131.substack.com/p/winner-odds-review​

Craig also explains that WinnerOdds concentrates on smaller edges combined with significant betting volume, meaning many of its selections are odds on.

It is a very different approach to hunting for big priced winners. But that does not mean the value is any smaller.

Why Betting Odds On Is So Misunderstood

Earlier this year we explored this exact subject at SBC.

One of the biggest misconceptions in betting is that a short price automatically means poor value.

It doesn’t.

A team offered at 1.30 that should actually be priced at 1.20 represents an edge of around 6.5%.

Find opportunities like that repeatedly and those relatively small advantages can add up.

Our analysis of more than 4,000 bets from one successful football service found that over a third of its 1,552 points of profit came from its short priced bets.

But I have also seen the same thing with my own money.

€37,000 Profit betting between 1.01 and 1.6

I personally followed WinnerOdds for several years.

Over that period my account generated just under €64,000 profit.

And here is the part that might surprise you.

More than €37,000 of that profit came from bets priced between just 1.01 and 1.60.

That is nearly 60% of the total profit coming from the sort of prices many bettors instinctively avoid.

They weren’t winning bets simply because they were short.

They were profitable because they were mispriced.

You can read our full article explaining the numbers and why short priced betting is so often misunderstood here:

​https://smartbettingclub.com/blog/betting-odds-on-is-misunderstood/​

This Is What SBC Is About

There are countless accepted ideas in betting that deserve to be questioned.

Never back odds on.

Always look for bigger prices.

A short priced winner was obvious.

A losing bet was a bad bet.

At the Smart Betting Club, we are interested in what the evidence actually tells us rather than anecdotes or assumptions.

That means independently testing betting services, analysing thousands of real bets, speaking with successful bettors and sharing the strategies and services we believe serious bettors should know about.

WinnerOdds is just one example.

SBC members get access to our monthly SBC Magazine, our archive of betting service reviews and reports stretching back 20 years, plus our latest research, interviews, analysis and member benefits.

​If you want to make better informed betting decisions and discover opportunities you may otherwise overlook, you can join Smart Betting Club today.

How A Former Football Referee Built A Profitable Betting Edge, Exclusive SBC Interview

Posted on by Peter Ling

Every so often, we get the opportunity to sit down with one of the betting industry’s genuine professionals and ask the questions that matter.

Our latest How I Bet For Profit interview does exactly that.

This month, SBC members can watch an exclusive interview with one of Europe’s most respected betting analysts – a former Danish league football referee, and the brains behind of one of our highest-rated betting tipsters.

His tipster service is up 47.78 points profit at 37% ROI this World Cup alone – more about that shortly…

In this interview, he explains how his route into betting is unlike anyone we’ve ever featured before, and it provides a fascinating insight into the mindset, discipline and preparation that underpin his long-term success.

Among the topics we discuss are:

  • How his refereeing career shaped his approach to betting
  • Why he believes professional betting should be treated like professional sport
  • How he prepares weeks in advance to identify value before markets move
  • Why understanding your own strengths and weaknesses is essential
  • His views on AI, modelling and where he believes the real edge still lies
  • How he structures his staking and copes with inevitable losing runs
  • Why discipline and “sticking to the plan” are the foundations of long-term profitability
​

37% ROI From The 2026 World Cup…So Far!

Alongside his How I Bet For Profit interview, members can also read our comprehensive review of his excellently run and affordably priced tipster service – as published in SBC Magazine 163.​

The review analyses every aspect of the service, including historical performance, obtainable odds, bankroll requirements, drawdowns, staking, practicalities of following, and whether we believe the edge is sustainable over the long term.

Even better, the service has continued to justify our confidence since the review was published in April.

May itself produced over 50 points profit at an ROI of 23%, whilst for the World Cup alone he is up 37% ROI from his first 83 bets, making this an ideal time to discover how one of Europe’s most respected professional bettors approaches the markets.

A Service Delivering Right Now

Of course, this interview and tipster review is just one part of what SBC membership offers.

Members also receive:

  • Independent, in-depth betting service reviews – showcasing the best tipsters and experts for you to follow!
  • Exclusive interviews with leading professional bettors
  • Strategy guides and educational content
  • Ongoing betting industry insight
  • Practical betting advice
  • Exclusive discounts on carefully selected betting services and tools

If you’re serious about improving your betting, we’d love to welcome you as an SBC member.

​Join today and gain immediate access to this exclusive interview, our full in-depth review of the service, and the complete SBC members’ area.

73% ROI Antepost Football Betting Strategy | Inside One of Football Betting’s Best Kept Secrets

Posted on by Peter Ling

Most profitable betting services are built around one simple idea.

Find value, place the bet and move on.

This month’s SBC Magazine looks at something very different.

In Issue 165, we take you inside one of football betting’s best kept secrets, a specialist antepost strategy that produced an outstanding 73% ROI during the 2025/26 season through high volume accumulators, active portfolio management and a level of planning unlike almost anything we’ve reviewed before.

Just as importantly, the results aren’t based on theoretical paper bets. They come from real bets placed by those behind it, all supported by an active community that continually shares ideas, market intelligence and practical advice.

Access Issue 165 and the entire 20 year back catalogue with a SBC Membership​

The Feature Review: 73% ROI Antepost Football Betting Strategy

  • Inside one of football betting’s most distinctive strategies.
    ​
  • A real member case study turning £11,000 to £12,000 of stakes into around £43,000 in returns.
    ​
  • An exclusive Q&A covering the edge, bookmakers and practical realities.
    ​
  • Verified results from real bets, not paper profits.
    ​
  • Exclusive £20 SBC member discount.
    ​

ALSO IN SBC MAGAZINE ISSUE #165

Alongside our feature review of this specialist antepost football betting strategy, this month’s magazine also contains:

New Golf Betting Model Examined: We take a close look at a new golf value betting tool, designed to uncover mispriced golfers in the bookmaker place markets. Discover how its algorithms identify +EV opportunities and how the software can be tailored around the bookmaker accounts you actually use. Plus, SBC members can claim 50% off their first month with an exclusive introductory offer.

Benjamin Leanders Interview: One of Europe’s most respected professional bettors joins Rowan for the latest instalment in our How I Bet For Profit series. Benjamin reveals the mindset, routines and decision-making processes that have helped him build a long-term betting edge, along with the lessons serious bettors can apply to their own betting.

Bet Diary: Everything from Rowan this month on his tipster portfolio, the latest results and the ongoing realities of betting for profit.

Smart Punter Mailbag: More of your betting questions answered, covering subjects including increasing your turnover, new bookmakers to explore, and deciding when to call time on a service you follow.

Smart Bettor News: The latest stories from the world of profitable betting, together with analysis of the developments that matter most to serious bettors.

SIGN UP FOR INSTANT ACCESS

If you’re a member, log in to your SBC account to read Issue 165 today.
​
If not, join SBC now and get instant access to this magazine, our full tipster ratings, betting insight and knowledge and hundreds of previous issues and reports!

​To sign up as a paid SBC member, just click here and follow the registration link.​

​

Bet Hero Founder Juan Explains How One of the Best Value Betting Tools Was Built

Posted on by Peter Ling

In Episode 104, I chatted with Juan, founder of Bet Hero, the value betting platform recently reviewed and recommended in SBC Magazine 164.

​Learn more about that review here and how you can save up to €215.80 on Bet Hero with the exclusive SBC member discount before the end of June 2026

Juan explains how his journey into betting began not through gambling, but by identifying inefficiencies in other markets. From building software to profit from sneaker releases, GPUs and collectibles, his background in computer science and automation naturally led him into arbitrage and eventually value betting.

The discussion explores the difference between arbitrage and value betting, why expected value is the foundation of long term success, and how Bet Hero evolved from a simple Discord alert bot into a platform covering more than 400 sportsbooks worldwide.

Pete and Juan analyse SBC’s review of 16,488 bets producing a 4.06% ROI, explaining why ROI alone can be misleading, the importance of closing line value, and how successful users maximise returns through volume, discipline and focusing on EV rather than short term results.

Finally, Juan discusses Bet Hero’s unique pricing model using multiple sharp sources, alongside Kelly staking, middling, and the ongoing battle to stay ahead of increasingly sophisticated bookmakers.

You can listen to Episode 104 FREE now via Apple / Spotify / YouTube and all other major podcast directories (search Smart Betting Club)

You can also support the SBC Podcast by visiting our podcast sponsor, Matchbook. You can get 150 days, commission free with them via this link.

Topics covered include

  • From sneaker reselling and software engineering into sports betting
  • Why expected value is more important than individual results
  • Building the first Bet Hero Discord bot
  • Growing from a personal tool into a platform covering 400+ sportsbooks
  • Why underserved betting regions create opportunities
  • Why ROI must be viewed alongside turnover and betting volume
  • The habits of Bet Hero’s most successful users
  • Why higher odds and lower strike rates can still offer excellent value
  • Building fair odds using multiple sharp sources rather than only Pinnacle
  • The role of exchanges and prediction markets in modern pricing
  • Adding middling betting and future Bet Hero developments

Bet Hero: One Of The Best Value Betting Tools We’ve Tested

​In SBC 164, we took an in-depth look at Bet Hero. This powerful value betting platform uses proprietary fair odds modelling, covers more than 400 sportsbooks and goes far beyond simple Pinnacle comparisons.

What stood out most was its consistency. Across a huge sample of 16,488 bets, Bet Hero generated profits in every month we tracked and performed strongly across all odds ranges.

This is one of the most detailed reviews we’ve ever published, covering performance, bookmaker coverage, staking, practical usage and strategies for maximising results.

It impressed us so much that we’re now using it ourselves here at SBC.

As an SBC member, you can claim an exclusive 20% discount on any Bet Hero monthly or yearly plan, saving up to €215.80 on the annual Pro package.

This special offer is available through June only, making now the perfect time to take advantage of one of the strongest value betting tools we’ve reviewed.

Access Issue 164 and the entire 20 year back catalogue with a SBC Membership​

  • Profits generated in every month tracked.
    ​
  • Consistent performance across all odds ranges.
    ​
  • Proprietary fair odds model using multiple sharp bookmaker references.
    ​
  • Coverage of more than 400 sportsbooks worldwide
    ​
  • Football, basketball and tennis providing the bulk of opportunities
    ​
  • Exclusive 20% SBC member discount worth up to €215.80, available through June only

Bet Hero Review: Is This The Best Value Betting Software Available Today?

Posted on by Peter Ling

The latest issue of the Smart Betting Club Magazine has landed and features one of the most impressive value betting tools we’ve tested in years.

In SBC 164, we take an in-depth look at Bet Hero. This powerful value betting platform uses proprietary fair odds modelling, covers more than 400 sportsbooks and goes far beyond simple Pinnacle comparisons.

What stood out most was its consistency. Across a huge sample of 16,488 bets, Bet Hero generated profits in every month we tracked and performed strongly across all odds ranges.

This is one of the most detailed reviews we’ve ever published, covering performance, bookmaker coverage, staking, practical usage and strategies for maximising results.

It impressed us so much that we’re now using it ourselves here at SBC.

As an SBC member, you can claim an exclusive 20% discount on any Bet Hero monthly or yearly plan, saving up to €215.80 on the annual Pro package.

This special offer is available through May only, making now the perfect time to take advantage of one of the strongest value betting tools we’ve reviewed.

Access Issue 164 and the entire 20 year back catalogue with a SBC Membership​

One Of The Best Value Betting Tools We’ve Tested

  • Profits generated in every month tracked.
    ​
  • Consistent performance across all odds ranges.
    ​
  • Proprietary fair odds model using multiple sharp bookmaker references.
    ​
  • Coverage of more than 400 sportsbooks worldwide
    ​
  • Football, basketball and tennis providing the bulk of opportunities
    ​
  • Exclusive 20% SBC member discount worth up to €215.80, available through June only
    ​

ALSO IN SBC MAGAZINE ISSUE #164

Alongside our major Bet Hero review, this month’s issue also contains:

Football Prop Betting Service Review​
A detailed look at a specialist football props service that has delivered a 21.1% ROI from 1,257 bets.

Covering player cards, shots on target, goalkeeper saves, fouls and other player performance markets, this is a growing area of betting where sharp analysis can still uncover significant value.

Winner Odds Founder Interview​
Rowan sits down with Miguel Figueres, founder of Winner Odds, for an insightful members-only interview covering model building, market efficiency, Closing Line Value, variance, AI and what it really takes to develop profitable betting systems in today’s markets.

Bet Diary​
The latest portfolio updates, results and lessons from Rowan’s own betting activity.

Smart Punter Mailbag​
Answers to member questions, practical betting advice and discussion of current industry topics.

Smart Betting News​
Key developments from across the betting industry and what they mean for serious bettors.

SIGN UP FOR INSTANT ACCESS

If you’re a member, log in to your SBC account to read Issue 164 today.
​
If not, join SBC now and get instant access to this magazine, our full tipster ratings, betting insight and knowledge and hundreds of previous issues and reports!

​To sign up as a paid SBC member, just click here and follow the registration link.

David Hipkin of SharpBetting on Profitable Betting, Restrictions & Long Term Success

Posted on by Peter Ling

We’ve just released a new interview on the SBC YouTube Channel as part of our How I Bet For Profit series – and this one is a fascinating watch.

​Watch it here​

Rowan sat down with David Hipkin, co-founder of SharpBetting, to discuss what profitable betting really looks like behind the scenes.

(Note – this video was originally only for SBC members only but I felt it was a great example of the type of content we provide to give you a sample!)

David brings a very different perspective to betting.

Rather than portraying himself as a “professional gambler”, he approaches betting as a structured, analytical side income opportunity – something that can fit around normal life while still generating meaningful long-term profit.

Access to this interview series is available now with an SBC membership​

What is David’s Approach?

During the interview, David talks openly about:

  • How SharpBetting was built from real bookmaker and trading experience
  • Why most bettors should focus on steady long-term gains rather than unrealistic expectations
  • How one Sharp Betting football approach generated nearly £200,000 profit before bookmaker restrictions became a major issue
  • Why volume and patience matter far more than short-term variance
  • How multiples can be used intelligently to compound value
  • The importance of discipline, bankroll management, and starting slowly
  • How bookmaker restrictions can be managed more effectively
  • Why boxing betting presents very different opportunities from football
  • How human judgement and intuition still matter – even in an increasingly AI-driven world

It’s one of the most honest and insightful betting conversations we’ve published in a long time.

You can watch the full interview free on the SBC YouTube channel now​

But it also gives a very good example of the type of thinking, analysis, and betting education SBC members get access to regularly.

WHAT YOU GET WITH SBC:

Alongside interviews like this, SBC members also receive:

  • Detailed betting service reviews
  • Strategy guides and educational content
  • Ongoing industry insight
  • Practical betting advice
  • And access to a range of genuinely valuable member-only discounts

One of those discounts is with SharpBetting itself.

SBC members can currently access an exclusive 20% lifetime discount on an annual Sharp Betting membership – reducing the yearly cost by £45.60 every year.

Considering SBC membership starts from just £24.99 per month, many members effectively recover a large part of their subscription cost through offers like this alone – before even considering the value of the reviews, content, and ongoing support available inside the members area.

And SharpBetting is just one example.

Members also receive access to additional discounts across carefully selected betting services, tools, and software we genuinely believe provide value.

So even if you start by watching the interview for free, if you want deeper insight into profitable betting – and access to the wider SBC community – becoming a member is the next step.

Join the Smart Betting Club today

Smart Bash 2026 Preview With Jesse May & Simon Nott | SBC Podcast Episode 102

Posted on by Peter Ling

Episode 102 of the SBC Podcast is OUT now and this time we take a closer look at Smart Bash 2026, one of the fastest growing betting events in the UK.

I’m joined by Jesse May and Simon Nott to preview this year’s event, taking place on May 27th and 28th at Chelsea FC in London, England.

? SBC listeners can also save 10% on Smart Bash tickets by using the code SBCSBASH10 when registering at: https://www.smart-bash.com/​

You can listen to Episode 102 FREE now via Apple / Spotify / YouTube and all other major podcast directories (search Smart Betting Club)

This episode breaks down why Smart Bash has quickly become one of the standout betting events in the UK and why it continues to attract everyone from aspiring bettors through to some of the sharpest operators, traders and professional gamblers in the industry.

We also preview many of the major panels and workshops taking place across the two days, including:

• World Cup betting and trading angles
• Prediction markets and exchange betting
• The growth of the black market
• Tax and syndicate structures
• Bookmaker restrictions and sustainability
• Racecourse betting and bookmaker insights
• The evolution of betting edges
• Why “getting money down” has become one of the biggest modern advantages

You can also support the SBC Podcast by visiting our podcast sponsor, Matchbook. You can get 150 days, commission free with them via this link.

Live SBC Podcast Panel

One thing I’m personally especially looking forward to is hosting a live SBC Podcast panel discussion at the event titled:

“Getting Money Down is the Real Edge”

I’ll be joined by Phil Smith, a long term professional bettor and trader (and my guest on Episode 101), alongside two other highly experienced names with backgrounds in both large scale betting operations and bookmaker trading rooms.

Together we’ll be discussing:
​
• Accounts and longevity
• Limits and restrictions
• Execution and timing
• Scaling betting operations
• How serious bettors operate today

We’ll also be taking live audience questions throughout the session.

If you’ve ever wanted to understand where the betting industry is heading, sharpen your edge, or simply meet serious like minded bettors, this episode gives a very good insight into why Smart Bash has built such a strong reputation within betting circles.

I hope to see many of you there.

? SBC listeners can also save 10% on Smart Bash tickets by using the code SBCSBASH10 when registering at: https://www.smart-bash.com/

Phil Smith on Antepost Betting, Betfair Removal & Modern Betting Challenges | SBC Podcast Episode 101

Posted on by Peter Ling

In Episode 101 of the SBC Podcast, I’m joined by Phil Smith, a full time football bettor specialising in antepost (futures) markets and exchange trading.

Phil shares his journey from early losses and trial and error, through to building a profitable approach combining Betfair trading and more recently, antepost betting.

We go deep into how antepost betting works in practice, where the real edge comes from, and why volume, structure and discipline are key to long term success.

The conversation also explores the growing challenges facing bettors today, including Phil’s own experiences, from being permanently removed from Betfair after years of activity, to being locked out of funds and bets for months during an affordability check with Sky Bet.

This is a practical, honest discussion about modern betting, where theory often takes a back seat to execution, access and adaptability.

You can listen to Episode 101 FREE now via Apple / Spotify / YouTube and all other major podcast directories (search Smart Betting Club)

Look out for more on Phil and his service coming in the JUNE Smart Betting Club Magazine!

You can also support the SBC Podcast by visiting our podcast sponsor, Matchbook. You can get 150 days, commission free with them via this link.

Topics covered include

  • Phil’s journey from early losses to going full time in 2020
  • Transition into antepost betting and building a profitable edge
  • Turning a £3k bankroll into £12k through structured betting
  • Betfair trading as the foundation of his bankroll
  • Impact of affordability checks, account closures and restrictions
  • Being removed from Betfair after years of activity.
  • Being locked out of funds and bets for months with Sky Bet
  • Evolution of his antepost strategy and staking approach
  • Managing variance through diversification and structured betting
  • Combining short term income with long term ante post returns

Resources & Mentions

Key quotes

On early struggles
“There was a lot of going through bankrolls and going around in circles. It took me about 10 years before I went full time.”

On finding an edge in antepost betting
“I realised there was a lot more to learn and a lot more angles to cover.”

On building a bankroll
“I turned three grand into about twelve grand, that was a big bank builder.”

On timing of bets
“Why did they bet now and not later, that’s the question you should be asking.”

On going full time
“I wasn’t happy in my job, so I decided to take the risk and go for it.”

On Betfair challenges
“Betfair staff don’t really understand how people trade and operate. I never expected to get kicked off, it definitely caught me by surprise.”

On Sky Bet issues
“It was six months of no access to my funds, no access to my bets. You can’t even speak to the people actually dealing with your account.”

On long term success
“If you can combine day to day profit with long term systems, that’s the way to go.