My Football Post-Match Review Template (Win, Loss, Lucky, Unlucky)

[Betting Forum]

Most bettors only review losses, and even then they review the result, not the decision. This template turns every bet into a small coaching session so you improve without needing a complex model.
For: football bettors who want a simple post-match routine to protect discipline, spot bias, and refine their process.

Quick real-world moment (read this before you review)​

A bet wins and you feel smart, so you move on.
A bet loses and you feel angry, so you rewrite history.
This template stops both. It forces one honest answer: was the decision good?

30-second self-check​

• If I replay this match with the same information, do I make the same bet?
• Did I lose because I was wrong, or because football is wild?
• Am I about to protect my ego, or protect my process?

Your goal is not to be right today. Your goal is to be right in a way you can repeat next week.

The template (copy this into notes)​

• Match: ____________________________ Date: ____________
• Market + line: ____________________ Price taken: ______
• Closing price (if you track it): ____ Better / Worse / Same
• Stake: ________ Units: ________
• Result: Win / Loss / Push

1) Pre-match snapshot (what I believed before kick-off)​

• My one-sentence reason: ____________________________________________
• My expected match script: Tight / Balanced / Open / Chaos
• Key factors I relied on (pick up to 2):
• Team news / roles
• Matchup zones
• Goals logic (BTTS vs Over, etc)
• Set pieces
• Timing / price edge

2) What actually happened (no drama, just facts)​

Write 3 lines max:

• Score and key moments: _____________________________________________
• Did the first goal change the match the way I expected? Yes/No
• Did the game script match my read by minute 30? Yes/No

3) Grade the decision (separate decision from outcome)​

Choose one:

• Good decision, good outcome
• Good decision, bad outcome (variance)
• Bad decision, good outcome (got away with it)
• Bad decision, bad outcome

Now explain in one sentence why you chose that grade:

• Because: ___________________________________________________________

4) Win review (if it won)​

A win can still be a bad bet. Check it properly.

• Did I win because my read was right, or because one moment saved me?
• Did I take a good price, or did I win at a bad number?
• If I had to remove one thing from my reasoning, what would it be?

5) Loss review (if it lost)​

A loss can still be a good bet. Find the real reason.

• What killed it: red card / penalty / early goal / tactical mismatch / finishing variance / other: ______
• Was that risk mentioned in my pre-match notes? Yes/No
• Did I misread quality (chance creation), or misread timing (price)?

6) Lucky vs unlucky (be specific, not emotional)​

Mark what applied:

• Lucky: opponent missed big chance, huge deflection, soft penalty for me, keeper error in my favor
• Unlucky: I missed big chance, deflection against me, soft penalty against me, keeper error against me

Now the key question:

• Did luck change the result, or did it only change the margin? _______________

7) The bias check (this is where improvement hides)​

Pick one that fits:

• I overrated a famous player name instead of a role
• I ignored the draw in a draw-shaped match
• I forced Over 2.5 when 1-1 was the natural script
• I chased a worse price because I felt late
• I bet because I was bored, not because I had edge
• I trusted a rumor without a confirmation plan

8) One fix for next time (make it tiny and usable)​

Choose ONE action, not a motivational speech:

• Next time I will: _________________________________________________

Examples of good fixes:

• Wait for lineups if my bet depends on a key role
• Write a walk-away price and respect it
• If the match is tight, default to draw-respecting markets
• If I cannot name a chance source, I do not bet goals

9) The humanization block (micro-scenario + self-check + quote + review prompt)​

Micro-scenario: You are about to close the tab and move on because you "already know" why it won or lost. That is where your growth dies.
Self-check:

• If my best friend made this exact bet, would I call it smart?
• What detail did I ignore because I wanted the bet to be true?
• What would I do differently if I had to place it again in 60 seconds?

If you cannot explain your bet simply after the match, you did not understand it before the match.

Review prompt: Write one honest sentence you would be comfortable posting publicly about this bet: _______________________

Traps list (what ruins reviews)​

• Only reviewing losses
• Writing essays instead of one clear fix
• Blaming luck every time
• Changing your pre-match story after the match
• Ignoring price and timing completely

FAQ (quick answers)​

1) How long should this review take?
Two to five minutes. If it takes longer, you are probably venting.

2) Do I need closing odds (CLV) for this to work?
No, but it helps. Even without it, you can still grade decision quality and spot script mistakes.

3) What is the most important line in this template?
"Would I make the same bet again with the same info?" That one question exposes most bad habits.

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Previous: Football Pre-Match Checklist - A Routine You Can Actually Follow