Whether it’s via poker, sports betting or casino gambling, anyone putting down money gambling online at some point considers investing in training materials. 

Whether it’s software that trains you to play perfect blackjack, sports betting picks that help you perfect a parlay or a poker training site complete with videos and hand charts, the idea of polishing your skills seems like a winning proposition.  Sure, you’ll put down a few bucks, but you’ll make it back –  perhaps even a bit more, in theory –  as you put the advice you’ve paid for into practice.

How can you be sure that you get the best return on your investment?  In life, and especially in online gambling, there’s no such thing as a sure thing, but a few quick tips can help balance the scales in your favor.

Rely on those you know.  Websites touting poker training are a dime a dozen, and those selling sports picks are a dime a hundred, if not a thousand.  It’s quite difficult, if not impossible, for a person to be able to sort through all of the options at their disposal. 

Start by asking those you know well, and if you get nothing from that, move slowly out into the realm of friends-of-friends, people you know from forums, and so on.

Start small.  Most training sites and their peers want to get you for the long-haul, so they offer big discounts for large packages or long-term subscriptions.  Resist the urge to save and just try the smallest package available to start.

Read the fine print.  There’s nothing fun about reading the fine print, but there’s nothing fun about being taken by surprise when you try to cancel your membership or get a refund for material you didn’t use.

Gambling is fun, but the less money you have to spend for that fun, the more fun you’ll have.  A little training can help extend your bankroll, as long as you’re smart about the training you choose.