To succeed in sports betting, one must have passion as well as the ability to recognize subtle factors that affect the outcome of games. It is crucial to stay ahead by identifying these details and making bets when the opportunity for larger bets arises. The speaker avoids betting early in the week when the lines are soft and focuses on betting when the potential for larger returns is higher. Despite the challenges, the NFL is considered the toughest sport to beat in the world, attracting professional handicappers who gamble for a living.