Betting Minds: @JimmyThePunt gives us his favourite punting memories, how he got into the game and best betting insight

In our latest series 'Betting Minds' we're asking questions to some of the best betting brains involved at BettingOdds.com. First up it's the knowledgeable @JimmyThePunt who we've put in the hot seat to give us some of his best betting insight and favourite punting memories.

What team do you support and how did you get into betting?

I'm from Sheffield, South Yorkshire and support Sheffield United. Like most, my first punt was on the Grand National but I properly started to get into betting when me, my dad and my brother would go to watch the Blades on a Saturday afternoon. It started with us all picking an away team and putting a pound on it each but quickly digressed.

My dad would bring a variety of slips to us outside the bookies where me and my brother would be loitering with all the shrapnel we could muster. I used to be partial to a BTTS acca where-as my brother was a bit bolder and opted for the BTTS & Win ones; ten-fold minimum and six digits returns, don't know how we never won one...

Which Sports and markets do you like to focus on?

I just focus on football because I think it is the only thing I can offer a bit of insight on. In terms of markets I love the props and cards. Shots on targets are my favourites because I think they offer the greatest scope to find value.

Which stats do you consider the most important or useful?

I don't know if you'd consider it a stat but the most important thing for me when picking bets is the price, it dictates everything. In general, when I'm looking for potential bets it's always good to look out for tactical tweaks- such as changes to formation or positions- or if a new manager has been appointed.

I prefer to look at projections as to what may happen in the future instead of statistics from previous games. For example, xG -instead of previous H2H results- and xP. For shot on target bets I like to look at how many shots a player has had blocked and for cards it is good to look at how many fouls a player is committing and what type of player they usually pick cards up against instead of just looking at how many bookings they get.

What is your best ever bet? 

Last season I had £25 on Sander Berge to win Whoscored's Man of the Match vs Spurs at 40/1. He scored early on and got a late assist. I remembered I'd tipped it and sent it to all my mates as well so a few people had got on. He was neck and neck with Oli McBurnie and the latter picked up a card and got subbed so I thought it was in the bag, however, in the last few seconds of the game McBurnie was still ahead by 0.02. 

At the full time whistle I couldn't bear the wait so I just turned my phone off and took the dog out for two hours. When I got back I found out that Whoscored had originally awarded it to McBurnie but revised the decision around midnight changing it to Berge. My friend sent me a picture saying the bet had been corrected and won and I couldn't believe it. 

What’s the most gutted you’ve even been about a bet?

Last season I had £13 on a 87.44 double with Betfair; Matt Richie to have two shots on target and Kourtney Hause to have one. Newcastle kicked off first and Matt Richie was already in the bag so I just needed Hause for over a grand. 

In stoppage time he had a header that went on target but was cleared of the line by a player. Due to a technicality with this market (the keeper was in net so the defender was not technically the last man) the bet was settled as a loss. I'm still not over it to this day... 

Which are your favourite bookmakers to use?

Betfair. Have my favourite markets priced and always seem to have bold prices.

Are there any betting apps you particularly like?

Statzone is great and worth the money, though they only cover the EPL now. Also use Whoscored and SofaScore a lot.

If you could give one bit of advice to punters, what would it be?

Betting can be a consuming hobby but it's important to keep a balance in your life. If you are serious about it, keep gambling and personal money separate, limit yourself to a certain amount of bets a week/month and keep a record of your profit and loss