Best football tipsters leaderboard action

Best Football Tipsters Leaderboard

By Russell Dt - May 12th 2025

What is a Football Tipster?

A football tipster is someone who predicts the outcomes of football matches and shares betting tips with others. These tips can range from match results and goals scored in a game, to more complex Betbuilder bets, where you can back a number of picks to happen in one game in one bet.

In the UK, we use the term tipster. Over in the United States, the equivalent would be a sports handicapper or someone who offers soccer picks. While the terminology differs, the goal is the same—make accurate predictions that help others place smarter bets.

Key Characteristics of a Tipster:

  • Deep understanding of football teams, tactics, and statistics
  • Frequent analysis of form, injuries, and line ups
  • A history of documented tips (preferably tracked over time)
  • Transparent win/loss records

What is a Football Tipster Leaderboard?

A Football Tipster Leaderboard is a ranking system that showcases how well our different football tipsters (people who predict the outcomes of football matches) are performing over time. It’s can help you decide which tipsters to follow or trust, as we have a lot of very successful Tipsters to follow, copy and get inspiration from. Below is Kickoff overall Tipster Leaderboard for the last 30 days, from all of the football leagues that we follow and track. You can quickly see who is at the top and successful – this is live data that changes every day, so its one to bookmark and keep on coming back to see who moves to the top!

122
WINNERS
722
WINNING BETS
£184,553
TOTAL WON
BETTORWINSPROFITYIELDFOLLOW
VIEW MORE

How to Follow and Become a Successful Football Tipster (or Handicapper)

If you’ve ever wondered how some people always seem to have the inside scoop on football results—or if you’ve seen the word “tipster” thrown around on betting websites like Kickoff.co.uk—you’re in the right place. This guide not only explains what a football tipster is but also how to follow, copy, or even become one yourself. And for our American friends, don’t worry—we’ll translate everything into your familiar terminology of picks and handicappers along the way.

How to Follow a Football Tipster

Following a tipster can be as easy as following their profile or subscribing to alerts on Kickoff.co.uk. Once you’re in, you’ll see:

  • Historical win/loss records
  • Current tips for upcoming matches
  • Success by league and bet type
  • Profit and yield stats

Can You Put the Same Bets on as a Football Tipster?

Absolutely—and it’s one of the best ways to learn. This is often called copy betting or mirror betting. When a tipster shares a pick, you replicate that exact bet with your bookmaker.

Things to Watch Out For:

  • Odds movement– Odds can shift quickly after a tip is released.
  • Bet timing– Be quick! Early value often vanishes.
  • Bookmaker availability– Some markets might not be offered everywhere.
  • Bet types– Know the difference between singles, accumulators, BTTS, Over/Under, etc.

On Kickoff, you can place the same bet directly through integrated bookmakers, making the process seamless.

How to Become a Football Tipster

Anyone with a passion for football and a head for numbers can start tipping. Here’s how to begin:

  1. Study the Game– Dive into stats, line ups, and form.
  2. Pick a Specialisation– Focus on certain leagues or bet types.
  3. Track Your Performance– Use platforms like Kickoff to track your ROI and win rate.
  4. Share Tips Regularly– Consistency builds reputation.
  5. Engage Followers– Explain your reasoning and strategy.
  6. Build a Following– to grow your audience.

How Much Money Should You Bet When Being a Football Tipster?

Whether you’re just starting out or aiming to become a professional football tipster, the way you manage your bankroll is arguably more important than your tips themselves.

One of the biggest pitfalls for new tipsters and bettors is staking too aggressively—especially after a win or a losing streak. The key to long-term success isn’t just about picking winners; it’s about managing your bankroll intelligently.

Why? Because even the best footy tipsters experience losing streaks. Bankroll management is the foundation that ensures you stay in the game long enough to see long-term profit.

What is Bankroll Management?

Bankroll management is how you control the amount of money you risk on each bet. It protects you from going bust during inevitable downswings and helps you build profit sustainably over time.

Your bankroll is the total amount of money you’ve set aside exclusively for betting. It’s not your savings, your rent money, or your holiday fund—it’s a dedicated pot for your betting activity.

Professional gamblers treat bankroll management with military-like discipline. The goal isn’t just to win big—but to avoid going bust during bad runs.

Staking Systems Recommended by Professionals

Let’s break down some of the most commonly used staking strategies:

UK Tipster Staking strategy :

Most UK-based tipsters use a unit-based system, which expresses stake size in terms of confidence—not cash. This keeps things scalable for all followers, regardless of their bankroll size.

  • Typical guidelines:
  • Flat staking: Bet the same amount (e.g., 1 unit) per tip—simple, safe, and effective.
  • Confidence-based staking: Use a range of 1 to 5 units depending on how strong you feel about a selection.
  • Risk per bet: Never stake more than 2–5% of your total bankroll on a single bet.

US Equivalent Strategy

In the US, the same unit-based system applies, where:

1 unit = 1% of your bankroll (some bettors use 0.5% for high-volume systems).

Tipsters post plays as “2u”, “3u”, etc., which scales with the bettor’s budget.

The focus is on consistency: avoiding tilt, not chasing losses, and trusting the math.

Example: If your bankroll is $1,000 and a tipster recommends a 2-unit bet, your stake would be $20 (2% of your bankroll).

Strategy

How It Works

Best For

Flat Staking

Betting the same amount (e.g., 1 unit) on every bet

Beginners and low-variance tips

Proportional Staking

Betting a fixed percentage of your current bankroll (e.g., 2%)

More advanced risk managers

Confidence-Based Units

Betting 1–5 units depending on confidence in the tip

Experienced tipsters

Kelly Criterion

A mathematical formula that adjusts your stake based on expected value (EV)

Statisticians and pros

Professional Tipster Advice:

  • Most pros suggest never betting more than 5% of your bankroll on a single event.
  • A conservative approach would be 1–2% per bet, especially if you’re just getting started.
  • As your bankroll grows or shrinks, recalculate your stake sizes accordingly.

Real-World Example:

Imagine you have a £1,000 bankroll. Using flat staking at 2%, you’d bet £20 per tip. If you hit a cold streak and your bankroll drops to £800, your new 2% stake would adjust to £16 per bet—helping you preserve your funds and avoid emotional overreactions.

What Happens Without Bankroll Management?

Without a structured staking plan, you risk:

  • Chasing losses: Doubling your stake to recoup earlier losses is a quick path to a wiped-out bankroll.
  • Overconfidence betting: Increasing your bet size drastically after a few wins leads to inconsistency.
  • Tilt: An emotional state where your bets become irrational and risky.

A Note for U.S. Bettors

In the US, professional handicappers often use a unit system, where each “unit” represents a set percentage of your bankroll. For instance:

  • 1 unit = 1% of bankroll
  • High-confidence picks = 3–5 units
  • Lower-confidence picks = 0.5–1 unit

This approach helps maintain transparency and allows followers to scale tips to their own bankroll sizes.

Final Thought On Bankroll Management

Professional football tipsters treat bankroll management as seriously as tip research. If you want long-term success, think like a trader, not a gambler. Stay disciplined, track your results, and never let emotions dictate your staking.

Can You Make Money from Being a Football Tipster?

Yes—you can make money from being a football tipster. But here’s the truth most platforms won’t tell you: very few people who regularly bet on football actually win in the long run. That’s not because it’s impossible. It’s because betting is often treated like gambling, not like a disciplined, data-driven investment strategy.

Why Most Tipsters Fail

Industry data and independent studies estimate that over 90% of casual bettors lose money over time. Why?

  • They chase losses emotionally after a bad result.
  • They place bets based on gut feeling or “hot tips” rather than data.
  • They stake too much too soon without a bankroll plan.
  • They have no long-term record of success or even track their bets.

According to multiple studies and industry data, over 90% of casual punters lose money over time. The ones who profit consistently? They treat betting like a business—with discipline, bankroll control, and long-term planning.

What Profitable Tipsters Do Differently

The small minority who do win consistently operate more like analysts or traders than gamblers.

Here’s what separates them:

  • Discipline: They follow a staking strategy and avoid impulsive bets.
  • Bankroll Management: They stake a consistent percentage of their available bankroll.
  • Data-Driven Strategy: They use statistics, models, and historical trends to inform selections—not gut instinct.
  • Long-Term Focus: They know variance is part of the game. Winning 55% at the right odds can still be highly profitable.
  • Record-Keeping: They track every bet by stake, odds, result, and market.

The Tipster’s Profit Equation

Making money as a football tipster depends on three main things:

  1. Accuracy of your predictions (strike rate)
  2. Value in your bets (finding overpriced markets)
  3. How you manage your stake (bankroll management)

Even with a modest win rate of 55%, if your bets consistently offer value (i.e., better odds than the actual probability), you can turn a long-term profit.

Discipline Is Your Superpower

Discipline is what separates a professional tipster from a recreational gambler. Here’s how it plays out in practice:

  • Never Chase Losses
  • Losing streak? Take a break, review your strategy, but never double your next bet to “get it all back.” That’s a shortcut to wiping out your bankroll.
  • Stick to the Plan
  • Create a structured staking strategy (like flat or unit-based staking) and stick to it—regardless of whether you’re up or down.
  • Minimise Losses
  • Accept that losses are part of the game. The best tipsters know how to cut their losses quickly, avoid unnecessary risk, and stay focused on long-term ROI.
  • Maximise Profits
  • When you’re on a good run, resist the urge to go all-in. Instead, stay consistent and let compounding returns do their work.

Why Most Fail

  • Lack of strategy
  • Overconfidence during winning streaks
  • Emotional betting after losses
  • Poor bankroll discipline
  • No record-keeping or performance tracking

Final Verdict

Yes, you can make money from being a football tipster. But it won’t happen overnight. It takes time, consistency, and most of all—discipline. Learn to love the process, not just the profit. Track your performance, stick to your staking plan, and remember: betting smart beats betting big every single time.

What Are the Best Types of Bets to Place as a Football Tipster?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but some bet types are more suited for tipsters due to their predictability and value.

Popular Bets for Tipsters:

  • Match Winner (1X2)– Classic and reliable
  • BTTS (Both Teams To Score)– Great for stat-based tips
  • Over/Under Goals– Predictable with strong data trends
  • Draw No Bet– Safer option in unpredictable matchups

Avoid complex bets or large accumulators unless you have strong reasons and a high success rate.

What Are the Best Leagues to Bet on as a Football Tipster?

Most tipsters specialise in specific leagues where they understand the teams inside out.

UK and International Leagues:

US Options:

Some tipsters focus on lower leagues where bookmakers have less accurate pricing—perfect for finding value.

FAQs

  1. What is the difference between a tipster and a handicapper?
    A tipster (UK) and a handicapper (US) both predict sports outcomes and offer betting advice. The terminology varies by region, but the role is essentially the same.
  2. How do I find tipsters with a proven track record?
    Use platforms like Kickoff.co.uk that track every user’s tips and display performance stats openly.
  3. Can I follow multiple tipsters at once?
    Yes, but make sure their strategies align. Conflicting bets can cause confusion and dilute profit potential.
  4. What’s the best way to manage my bankroll?
    Stick to a unit-based system (1–5% of your bankroll per bet) and avoid emotional betting.
  5. Is it legal to follow tipsters in the US and UK?
    Yes, as long as sports betting is legal in your jurisdiction. Always follow local laws.
  6. How soon can I start making a profit?
    There’s no timeline. Some start seeing returns within weeks, while others take months to break even. It depends on discipline and strategy.

Conclusion

Being a football tipster—or following one—isn’t about luck. It’s about research, discipline, and smart decision-making. Whether you’re in the UK placing tips or in the US making picks, platforms like Kickoff.co.uk offer the tools you need to succeed. Dive in, follow the data, and who knows—you might just become the next top tipster.