With the abundance of available dating apps, people have access to easier ways of making romantic connections. Having laid all of the groundwork of initial communications, the next big step is actually landing that first date. It’s a big moment as it’s the chance to look someone in the eye, to read their body language and find out more about them. But there’s often a tricky balance of how much of yourself to reveal and how much mystery to retain.

A common topic that comes up on first dates is hobbies, and what people do in their spare time can be quite revealing. A good example is sports betting, something that often goes hand in hand with a love of sports. But should you share your sports betting habit on that first date?

Navigating the Topic

Sports betting is a fairly popular hobby, especially now, with the rise of online platforms making betting more accessible. To illustrate, take a look at the leading UK bookmakers on Legalbet.uk, a platform that reviews and compares sportsbooks. In the UK alone, there are over 100 licensed betting sites, with hundreds or even thousands of people placing bets on each of them.

However, it’s not realistic to think that all people like betting, as some may see it as something frivolous or irresponsible. There are risks involved with sports betting, but that’s the nature of the game, and it’s part of the challenge that bettors like to take on. Responsible betting can make it a perfectly viable pastime. But sports betting isn’t for everyone, and that’s why it can cause some confusion over whether to mention it or not on a first date.

First Impression Count

It’s a good idea to read the room first, because dates can vary greatly between formal, relaxed and casual deals. Take some time to read the person you are there with, because the more they open up about long-term ambitions, their financial position and values, the clearer the picture becomes.

You may be able to pick up on clues about whether they are a risk-averse person or a more financially conservative one who may frown upon the act of sports betting. The key to all of this is to engage in active listening, which is going to be important for any relationship, to try to understand where they are at.

Ask Yourself First

A good question to ask yourself is whether it feels important enough to bring up sports betting on that first date, because not every single thing about you is going to come out. That’s what subsequent dates are for: to get a deeper understanding of each other.

But if the topic of sports comes up, for example, you can drop in a fun betting story to see their reaction and go from there. They may be openly receptive to what you are talking about, or horrified if you recount a big loss. In this first date scenario, much like betting, there is finding the balance of potential risk and reward.

The Betting Stance

This is not about whether betting is right or wrong; it’s just something that is part of your life because it’s an enjoyable, responsible hobby, and you feel fine with being transparent about it. Your values surrounding betting may or may not match, but you shouldn’t have to hide things about yourself from anyone.

It’s better to bring it up early, just so it’s out there, and in most cases, it’s unlikely to be any kind of deal breaker. Maybe it’s something the other person has been interested in and would like to share the experience with you by watching a sport and placing a bet together. They may see it as a complete nothing-burger and just something they are not interested in, and have no qualms about you doing it.

The bottom line is that you won’t know unless you bring it up. No one out there in the dating world is perfect. No one is going to have a complete vested interest in all of the other person’s interests. There will always have to be compromises in the most successful of relationships, and being truthful and transparent paves the way to success.

The How

If you are ready to bring it up, put it across by signalling that betting is something you have control over, indicating the positives of being a responsible person, but someone who likes a bit of fun as well. You can also detail why you bet on sports as well; perhaps it’s simply because you like watching sports and have a vested interest in the outcomes.

There’s no need to get into the deep financials of your current betting balance, as oversharing about any topic can be a turn-off on a first date. Just present the details in a way that’s casual and responsible, and once it’s out there, the conversation is likely to quickly move on to the next topic anyway.