The Sports. Very briefly US pros generally turn to Basketball as a major source of income simply because of sheer number of games - you need to bet high numbers of games to get returns. Remember a good bettor will still lose around 4.4 to 4.6 bets out of 10. Football (NFL) is big too though game numbers are few. Hockey does not have many takers but lines are often best value - prices can be very generous. Baseball runs somewhere in between. In UK and Europe it is mainly Soccer and Horse Racing. There is no tax on betting in UK which is a big advantage and no pari-mutuel system on horse racing. The price you get in morning is price you stay with - unlike US horse betting which is subject to starting price odds and heavy taxes.

The key to success in any trading or betting environment is value. If you are not getting a value price, then you will find it hard to make a profit. You need to indentify "product" eg a stock or a team - it doesn't matter. If your expectation of that product doing well is higher than price on display - in relative terms, you "buy" it. Still, if you are not profitable in your betting after say 350 bets or thereabouts - it may be time to say "ok this is not for me" or "ok let me re-think my betting strategy." You simpy cannot tell if you are a good or bad bettor after 10, 20 or 50 bets - with those low numbers you are still falling victim to standard deviation and probability.

Generally I have found that sports betting produces better average returns year on year, than stock markets. It is tougher work psychologically, as you generally act in a lone capacity. No corporate social or support structure, no lunches, no team environment. But then no bosses or politics...

Betting is also virtually recession proof, lets face it only a huge war might disrupt national sports schedule. Sports markets are not influenced by economy. As a pro bettor, you worship different gods and your path is one that runs through wilderness and is not well trodden. You will love it or hate it..

The author has been a professional sports bettor and trader for 8 years and is actively involved in the betting industry:

If you're looking for a room sharing situation (rather than looking for an apartment with a friend), you need to start looking as early as possible. It can sometimes take longer to find an acceptable rental share situation than just to find an apartment.

As with any apartment search, make sure everyone you know knows that you are looking. You never know where perfect lead will come from, but often people are your best source. And people who know you well will probably also recommend things they know you'll like.

Ask questions. If you're looking at apartment share situations, you want to know as much as possible about people you'll be living with, right? Make a list of questions ahead of time, and get them answered.

Answer questions. Be as honest as possible with potential roommates and put your best foot forward.

Don't expect that your new roommate will be your new best friend as well. While two of you may, indeed, become good friends, it isn't a prerequisite for sharing an apartment.

Be prepared to compromise. Sharing an apartment or house with someone else usually requires some adjustment. Chances are you can no longer have your friends over all night every night, watch whatever you want on living room TV, or let dishes sit for weeks.