A winning-streak protocol

A hot streak is more dangerous than a cold one, because it feels like proof.

What a winning streak can do to you:

• You raise your bet size because you feel sharp.
• You add games you would normally pass.
• You stop checking prices because everything is winning anyway.

Then the streak ends at the larger size, and a week of wins is gone in two days.

What to do:

1. Keep the unit the same until the scheduled resize. Ours is the first of the month.

2. Keep the same standards. A play that would not qualify last week does not qualify now.

3. Check the closing line. If you are winning while your prices are not beating the close, you are running lucky, not betting well.

4. No bets the same day as a big win. Wait for the next slate.

Example only: 9 wins in 11 bets. If only 3 of those 11 beat the closing price, the record is ahead of the process. Expect it to come back.

Where it shows up in our plays: sizes do not jump after good weeks, and recaps report closing line value next to the record.

What cuts against it: staying disciplined during a run means you will sometimes leave money on the table. That is the cost of still being here next season.

Takeaway: treat a hot streak the way you treat a cold one. Same unit, same rules.

Education only, not a guarantee. Bet only what you can afford to lose. 1-800-GAMBLER.