Interview with BSL: Expert in Turkish Basketball Betting

At BetPicks we interviewed BSL, a tipster specialized in Turkish basketball betting, to understand how he works, how he analyzes games and what it takes to be profitable in the long term betting on basketball and sports betting.

BSL, expert tipster in Turkish basketball betting and handicap markets

Basketball betting, especially in leagues like the Turkish league, offers many opportunities for bettors who understand handicap and totals markets well, as bookmakers do not always adjust the lines correctly. For this reason, many bettors look for specialized basketball tipsters who can provide professional information and analysis.

If you want to see his predictions, statistics and odds, you can visit his profile here: BSL – Turkish basketball tipster on BetPicks.

Interview with a basketball tipster specialized in the Turkish league

In this interview we talk about basketball betting, how to find value bets, how handicap and totals markets work and what it takes to make money in the long term in sports betting.

1. About you

Introduce yourself and tell us how you started in the world of sports betting.

Hello everyone, I am Ç. I am 34 years old. Since I was very young, I grew up in basketball because I was part of a family that loves and values the sport. I could say that my love for basketball is something I was born with. When I was young, I played amateur basketball in several categories of Turkish leagues. Since then, I have tried to stay involved in the Turkish basketball world at different levels. Later, I decided to focus on my professional career and I have been managing technology projects in the Middle East division of an international company for approximately 12 years.

How many years have you been betting and how many years focused on Turkish basketball?

I have been betting for approximately 16-17 years and I can say that almost all that time has been dedicated to Turkish basketball. Of course, I also bet on other leagues and sometimes on basketball in other continents, but my priority is Turkish basketball.

Why did you decide to specialize in Turkish basketball instead of more popular leagues?

I know that Turkish basketball is closely followed by bettors in Europe, and I want to help them access the right information faster and easier. And most importantly: in these leagues it is more difficult to get information compared to leagues like the Spanish league or the Italian league. Information is valuable and I have information about all leagues played in Turkey before anyone else. That is the information and value part of this job. That is what makes BSL different and why I decided to specialize in this.

2. Turkish basketball

For someone who does not know these leagues, how would you describe Turkish basketball?

Each league in Turkish basketball has its own dynamics and structure. The leagues have specific rules. For example, in the main league, the Super League, there must be at least one player with a Turkish passport on the court for the full 40 minutes. In the lower league, the TBL, there can be a maximum of two foreign players on the court at the same time. Therefore, Turkish basketball may look different for those who do not know it from the outside.

If we look at Turkish basketball in general, in the last 10 years the success of Anadolu Efes and Fenerbahçe Beko in the EuroLeague, which is the most important competition in Europe, is clear. Also, this summer Turkey reached the World Cup final. Turkish basketball has grown again in Europe recently.

Which leagues and categories do you follow? (BSL, TBL, TKBL, lower leagues, etc.)

The BSL, which is also in my username, is our main league. The TBL is the lower league and I share many predictions from that league. Recently, the league that followers like the most and where they win the most is the TB2L, we are in playoffs and we are winning everything. I follow all leagues and all categories where basketball is played in Turkey without distinction. My followers know this very well.

Where do you think bookmakers make the most mistakes in these leagues?

I do not know if it would be correct to say what the biggest mistake bookmakers make in these leagues is; I do not want to reveal our secret. :) Jokes aside, they focus too much on statistics when setting the odds. 99% of the job, even more, is statistics, but the remaining 1% is psychology, mental state and of course roster news. To know this, you need to be close to the teams and receive news before anyone else. This is where the difference of BSL comes in.

Are betting limits in these leagues low or can you bet large amounts?

The Super League, the BSL, is a major league and the limits are high in every way. It is possible to bet large amounts both pre-match and live with different alternatives. For the TBL I can say something similar; it is difficult to have limit problems. For the next league, TB2L, I know that pre-match limits are not sufficient, so we use live betting as a solution. When they open in the live betting schedule, you can find sufficient limits.

In the Women's League there are more limit problems, so recently I have reduced bets in women's leagues. In the last 4 months I may have shared only 1 or 2 bets from the Turkish women's league.

3. Your match analysis method

When you analyze a game, what is the first thing you look at?

If there is any injured/sick/absent player that nobody knows about, not even the opponent team. :) This is where the difference of BSL comes in: being able to get information from each team through players, managers or executives and turn information that nobody has into money. It is an indescribable feeling.

What are the most important factors for you?

If there are injured players or any unexpected news specific to that game, it is very important for me. Apart from that, anyone can see how many points a team scores, their home average or away average with one click. But it is impossible to know that the opposing coach had problems with a club executive in the past and comes to that game looking for revenge. To know that, you need to know them and be in contact with them. This is just one of the factors that makes BSL different and successful with a high percentage. In Turkey there are many different dynamics and very close relationships, and following all this updated information and maintaining communication with players is also part of my job. That is the important and unique factor for me.

Of course, all the factors mentioned (pace, offensive efficiency, defensive efficiency, rotations, motivation, travel, referees, standings, etc.) are important and must be followed. I also follow them like everyone else, but not everyone who follows these factors wins bets with a high percentage. That is where the difference is.

Do you use advanced statistics, models, ratings, spreadsheets, etc.?

I have a calendar plan that I follow personally. It is a table that prioritizes not only the game of that week, but at least a 3-week period for the team. Apart from that, I do not use advanced statistics or spreadsheets.

How many hours per week do you analyze approximately?

I am in the arena 6 out of 7 days a week. I can happily watch any basketball game, even from U8 category. Therefore, every game is analysis, every game is experience and what makes this job fun is that it is an infinite cycle. The analysis never ends.

4. Betting markets

Which markets do you specialize in mainly?

Handicaps, especially positive handicaps, are my specialty. Recently, as Turkish basketball has become faster, high totals have also become one of my favorite options. But old followers know very well that BSL looks for underdogs.

• Handicaps
• Totals
• Team totals
• First half
• Props (special bets)

Where do you think there is the most value in Turkish basketball?

I think the most value in Turkish basketball is in handicaps. Many times we have taken +15 handicap with a team and that team has won the game by more than 10 points. And the most experienced followers of BSL know that if I recommend +15 handicap on a team, you should also put some money on their win.

If we do not count the manipulations in the last year where the lines move very fast.

5. Bankroll management and betting

What bankroll do you recommend to those who want to follow your picks?

There is actually a big mistake here; there are followers who follow me with very large bankrolls and others with very small bankrolls who have also made significant profits. Reading their messages is the best part of this job. More than the amount, I would say that people who think, work and put effort into this are the ones who will benefit from following me. The amount depends on your personal life, I am not very interested in it. But of course, I recommend betting amounts that will not make you suffer if you lose.

What is more important to you: hit rate or yield?

For me, the only important thing is the hit rate and the hit rate is everything.

How do you handle losing streaks?

The most important part of this job is how you perform when you are losing, and honestly I know that I am not alone when I win or when I lose; that is both a burden and a great responsibility for me. Knowing that you are not alone when you win is the biggest motivation. And when I lose, I also know that I am not alone and that stops me. If there is a losing streak and I do not have a bet that I trust very much, I close the computer, step away from the screen and rest until the next correct bet. The most loyal followers know that I know how to breathe, I stop a little, recover and come back. And when I come back, I come back better and with more morale. In all these years I have never seen that forcing bets works and I have never seen leagues end; that is why small breaks are very valuable to start new winning streaks.

6. Psychology and experience

What do you think is the biggest mistake bettors make?

The biggest mistake bettors make is wanting to make a lot of money immediately and being impatient.

What was your biggest mistake when you started?

Bankroll management and not being good enough at determining the confidence level of my bets. 16-17 years ago I made many mistakes in this.

What is the difference between a professional bettor and an amateur?

Patience and discipline; that is all.

7. Long-term profitability

Is it possible to be profitable in the long term in sports betting?

Yes, it is possible to be profitable in the long term in sports betting. Those who say otherwise are lying or making excuses for their failure. If someone still does not believe what I say, they can check the BSL page and historical results. You can do it, check it and then come back; we talk.

Can you make a living from this or is it just extra income?

Yes, you can make a living from this, but you need a very large bankroll and nerves of steel. That is why seeing it as extra income will make you happier. But I write this as someone who has experienced that it is possible to make a living from this.

What is really needed to be profitable?

Bankroll management, following a stake system and discipline. And when I say discipline, I mean both mental discipline and following the leagues, news and communications I mentioned before. I move forward with these three things.

8. BetPicks

Since when have you been working with BetPicks?
I have been working with BetPicks for approximately 1 year.

How has your experience working with BetPicks been?
Working with BetPicks has expanded my vision and perspective and also taught me how the professional side of this business works. In Turkey this sector is still very amateur, and thanks to BetPicks I can say that I left that amateur mentality. BetPicks gave me a new world and a new vision. I already knew that I had successful selections, that is no secret, but BetPicks allowed you to see it too; and that is the valuable part of all this.

What can users expect from your picks?
Only one thing: correct information and being sure that you place the right bet at the right time. The rest is not important.

9. Quick questions

• Best league to bet on: Of course the BSL, let's honor our name.
• Favorite market: Handicaps.
• Favorite type of bet: + Handicap, long live the underdogs!
• Average bet: 1000 $
• Maximum bet: This part should remain a secret :)
• Advice for beginners: Patience, discipline and follow the right people.
• The biggest lesson you have learned in betting: Games are not over, be patient.

Follow BSL on BetPicks

If you want to follow his predictions, you can access his service here: Join BSL service on BetPicks.