So, I've Decided To Jump Into The World Of Sports Betting

[RhymesayersDU]

The title says it all.

I've bet on sports before, although small. Maybe 5 bucks on a game with a buddy or my dad or something to make it interesting. I have bet twice on basketball in Vegas.

But that's it so far.. Now I want to jump into more serious online gambling. Yes, sign me up as a degenerate gambler.

Anyways, wondering if anybody had any advice or tips. I'm starting at bodog.com, but if anybody has a better site, with better payouts or lines or whatnot, let me know.

[OrangeShadow]

:rofl: dude your avy and avy line rock!

[clarkster]

advice on sports betting...nope. wont do it myself. i guess theres the advice...donate the money to something worthwhile, youll likely feel better.

[Meck77]

My advice. Keep it simple. I usually put a couple bets down when I'm in vegas and drop a couple here from time to time but don't expect to pay any bills.

Better off buying some penny stocks IMO.

I get a kick out of people who do alot of sports betting. You always hear how much they win but never hear about the losses.

Anyone that thinks they are a pro at it IMO is full of it. If anyone really had a system that worked they'd be retired. Instead they are always out hustling to try and win a bet.

Have fun with it DU. I admit I get a little rush out of it a couple times a year. I was in Vegas for the Indy/Cincy game and had my bet in at the MGM sportsbook. Nothing like a couple hundred people living and dieing with every play. Good times!

[DenverBroncosJM]

Here is a little thing I have learned at Bodog. The give you the reload bonus everytime!

So lets say you get your bank up to 300.00 dollars. Request a pay out. After you receive the money REdeposit it. you will get a free $30.00 for your reload bonus.

[footstepsfrom#27]

Anyways, wondering if anybody had any advice or tips.
Here's one: http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/

[watermock]

Put on a seven game parlay.

I think I went one for 3 last week...just bet against me.

[Mountain Bronco]

I am similar to Meck in the sports betting world. When in Vegas, I love to put a bet on a game, kick back and watch a game with a little more interest than usual. Otherwise I can't get into it. To much of an addictive personality.

Several years back I was in Vegas during an Avs/Wings playoff game and had a blast. Put some $$$ on the Avs at Mandalay Bay, started watching the game and by the end of it, half the place was Wings Jerseys and Half Avs Jerseys, lots of trash talking, but a great time. By the time the Avs won, I not only won my bet at the book, but also had won about 5 rounds of drinks at the bar.

[ak1971]

Welcome to the darkside! When you are ready to get out of betting college and pro sports let me know. I prefer to bet on other wierd stuff...

start trading short term options on individual stocks also... thats a hoot.

Yes Ive lost my ass a couple times. You cant call yourself a gambler unless youve gone broke a few times.

[Bronco Billy]

Rhymesayers:

My brother-in-law used to bet on bodog but switched to sportsbook.com. Initially, he switched because of a promo of getting 10% added on to his initial deposit. Now he plays primarily sportsbook because they had better odds, but he still checks both to see which is they better play. He usually wins money during the football season then wastes it losing on baseball and basketball. Meck's advice was good - just have fun with it.

Tip: "Nothing's a sure thing"
I once dropped $200 on the Broncos when they were at home and favored by 2.5 over the Dolphins. I was originally going to bet $50, but kept raising the amount in my head while waiting in line (I was in Vegas at the time). I went up to $200 thinking it was a "sure thing" and that I would kick myself in the pants when we covered that I didn't bet more.

In the second quarter, Mike Anderson fumbled on the 1-yard line going in for a TD and the Dolphins recovered. Late in the 4th, Mare (who has probably never seen snow in his life before that night) kicked a 51-yard FG in the snow for the win. Again, nothing's a sure thing.

The line doesn't take into account bad coaching decisions, missed calls by the refs, players' mental lapses, and the way the ball bonces.

Note: The Chicago Bulls are 20-1-1 ATS this year at home. This may be the closest you'll ever see to a "sure thing".

[-Slap-]

The title says it all.

I've bet on sports before, although small. Maybe 5 bucks on a game with a buddy or my dad or something to make it interesting. I have bet twice on basketball in Vegas.

But that's it so far.. Now I want to jump into more serious online gambling. Yes, sign me up as a degenerate gambler.

Anyways, wondering if anybody had any advice or tips. I'm starting at bodog.com, but if anybody has a better site, with better payouts or lines or whatnot, let me know.

Its a good hobby as long as you keep things in perspective. I got my first bookie in 11th grade and I've bet on the NFL every season for the past 27 years. I also bet college football and boxing, but rarely on anything else. 2007 has been my best year percentage wise since 2000. I don't know if I'm seeing things better this season, or if I was just luckier this year.

People can and do make a living betting on sports, but nobody can sustain themselves on the NFL. You're having a great season if you can hit 60% on the NFL for a full year. Given that, there's no other way to approach the NFL except as a hobby. The most lucrative sport for gamblers seems to be college basketball. There are so many games to pick from, that the sharps just kill the books on soft lines. I have a friend who made several million dollars betting on a single Super Bowl, but the NFL is not where he made his fortune.

There are different rules to betting on different sports. NBA handicappers are very cognizant of the schedule. They're always looking to go against a team coming off back to back games or a tough travel schedule. You also tend to handicap coaches quite bit more. Some of them coach differently on the road or against weak opponents.

The main reason I didn't like betting the NBA - even when I followed the sport very closely - was Garbage Time. Nothing more frustrating than calling a game perfectly and then seeing your spread evaporate because some clown cans two three pointers in the final 20 seconds.

Baseball bettors seem to be trend players. They like to find a team that's hot and ride them until they lose (or take a cold team and fade them until they win). I will throw down on a baseball game now and then, but I usually only bet when I find a series price I like in the playoffs or World Series.

You'll enjoy sports gaming alot more once you get into the different theories behind each game.

[Bronco Billy]

2007 has been my best year percentage wise since 2000. I don't know if I'm seeing things better this season, or if I was just luckier this year.


Man, I stayed in the black this year, so I can't complain, but I finished .490 against the spread because I went 25-7 ATS over the last two weeks. Otherwise, I was looking as bad as the media. Glad, you had a good year. I had a good handle on the Rams until about Week 9 and Oakland and Detroit most of the year; but everyone else seemed unpredictable.

[NaptownChief]

You picked a bad time to get into it...Those dead beats in congress have pretty much killed the online sports books....Pinnacle is one of the higher end online books and they announced last week that they are closing the door on all US based betting. Most of the others will soon follow.


But even ignoring that issue I will do you a favor....Give me half of your money, I will kick you in the groin a couple times and we will call it even. I will be dollars ahead, you will be dollars ahead and the pain will be about a push.

[-Slap-]

Man, I stayed in the black this year, so I can't complain, but I finished .490 against the spread because I went 25-7 ATS over the last two weeks. Otherwise, I was looking as bad as the media. Glad, you had a good year. I had a good handle on the Rams until about Week 9 and Oakland and Detroit most of the year; but everyone else seemed unpredictable.

I was able to avoid any significant losing streaks this year. I had some 1-3 or 2-4 weekends, but I was generally able to bounce back the next week. The playoffs have followed the same pattern: 1-3 in the wildcard round, followed by 6-1 last week.

[Los Broncos]

I dont gamble much anymore, but ive lived in Vegas and ive seen what gambling can do to you, be careful.

[worm]

Betting football vs basketball vs baseball is widely different.

Do NOT try to use your pro football strategies in any other sport.

[Arkansas Bronco]

Hmmm never seriously done it just here and there with others I worked with or friends. I would have to say defiantly bet with your brain and not your heart.

[NaptownChief]

Do NOT try to use your pro football strategies in any other sport.



I would suggest not betting pro football for anything other than pure entertainment purposes.

It is darn tough to just pick winners in the NFL even without a spread due to the parity. At least with college football you go in knowing who should win the vast majority of the games so you are just down to how much they will win by....NFL is about like betting on a coin flip.

[RhymesayersDU]

Thanks for all the responses.

I want to bet the games this weekend, but who do I pick, the Dome team playing outside, or the team with Jake Plummer v2.0?

I may have to take the Colts though. Tough game, but IMO is a bit clearer.

[Bronco LB 59]

A tip for boxing, the late action is usually the right action.

[broncocalijohn]

I think it is a bad idea. I am not a big better and try to do it if i am actually watching the game. I had a Caliente account in TJ and when they give you a 800 # to bet, I was on it every single day betting $100 a game. It turned for me when the Dodgers and Nomo were playing at home vs Cards(?). Heavy favorite Dodgers so I had to put like $220 to win $100. Dodgers are losing 1 to 0 in the 8th when the promotional baseballs starting flying from the stands (many dodger fans are also Raider fans). When the PA asked to stop throwing the balls or the game will be canceled, more baseballs came onto the field. Game canceled and never had a chance to win it in the 8th or 9th. One of the last times I bet like that. I now bet maybe 3 times a year. I like being the bookie though. Ill do that for parlays every day of the week. I stick with poker now and play mostly for free on internet to keep my money in my wallet. Good luck though but most are big losers in betting.

[Steve Prefontaine]

Great site for reference. http://www.covers.com

If you like college basketball, here's my tip. NEVER bet on the road team. You will undoubtedly ignore this advice at some point and sit there scratching your head when Kansas loses to Baylor on the road. Find 2 or 3 games a night where the line is low and the home team has a great crowd. Bet those games.

[i4jelway7]

rhyme check your PM

[bendog]

I don't like to bet on NFL games because the odds are set merely on how much money is being bet. There's skill in determining which teams have fans betting a team to a spread that's a reach. But, if you play that way, then you aren't betting on teams cause you like the team.

When I bet in vegas on baseball a couple of times, I came to realize there was just no way I could track individual players trends and injuries the ways the casinos could. I was overmatched trying to play against the house.

Dogs are impossible to bet on. You cant' count on them running true to form at all, and the sport's more crooked than a cocaine dealer.

My godfather lived in LA, and he'd go to vegas every year or so for a weekend of craps. He generally won, but only because he'd played so much during the second world war. I never followed the game. My father and I generally paid for the summer vacations by the winnings from the horse track. Old Centennial Park in Littleton.

I went to the Arapahoe Park a few times, though irregularly, as I was living in Wyo, and I was definitely out of form. I only bet a max six dollars per race, but I don't think I ever went home a winner. There's an horseracing channel on direct tv. I don't get it. I think the racing forms and programs are all available for money on the internet. I've thought from time to time about getting back in the game, but to do it well, it takes as much time, or more, than tracking mutual funds. I suppose if I gave up drinking it could be like a night job for me.

[RhymesayersDU]

Anybody ever used Click2Pay, NUcharge, or eWalletXpress to deposit funds and make bets? I mean, I'm sure they're fine, but still, don't want to just throw my bank account info into cyberspace.

Bodog wants me to use one to deposit money to bet. Earlier there was an option of just going through my bank account, but apparently it's gone away. I really want to bet the games on Sunday.

[i4jelway7]

Anybody ever used Click2Pay, NUcharge, or eWalletXpress to deposit funds and make bets? I mean, I'm sure they're fine, but still, don't want to just throw my bank account info into cyberspace.

Bodog wants me to use one to deposit money to bet. Earlier there was an option of just going through my bank account, but apparently it's gone away. I really want to bet the games on Sunday.


rhyme I've never used any of those, I have however used instadebit, you need to check out www.5dimes.com, instadebit takes it out of your bank account

[RhymesayersDU]

Thanks dude. I'll try that site out.

[usedupbraids]

bet on the lakers every game WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO :)

[bombay]

If you keep it small and within your means, it can be fun.

Ultimately, the house always wins.

[RhymesayersDU]

rhyme I've never used any of those, I have however used instadebit, you need to check out www.5dimes.com, instadebit takes it out of your bank account

Ah, 5D has neteller. Perfect.

[broncs2bowl]

The title says it all.

I've bet on sports before, although small. Maybe 5 bucks on a game with a buddy or my dad or something to make it interesting. I have bet twice on basketball in Vegas.

But that's it so far.. Now I want to jump into more serious online gambling. Yes, sign me up as a degenerate gambler.

Anyways, wondering if anybody had any advice or tips. I'm starting at bodog.com, but if anybody has a better site, with better payouts or lines or whatnot, let me know.

DONT DO IT! I went from millionare to "can barely afford McDonalds" by sports betting!

[Bronco Billy]

Thanks for all the responses.

I want to bet the games this weekend, but who do I pick, the Dome team playing outside, or the team with Jake Plummer v2.0?

I may have to take the Colts though. Tough game, but IMO is a bit clearer.

This is from sportsbook.com's magazine regarding the Conference Championship games:

"Conference Championship weekend has historicall produced the most competitive games of any playoff round. Favorites hold a slim 14-13 edge over underdogs and the average score has been home team 22.7 versus road team 20.3. In addition, there have been nine upsets in this round. Road teams actually own a better winning percentage over the last eight seasons!"

> "The last four 4th seeds (Buffalo '93, Denver '98, Tennessee '00, Baltimore '01) to advance to the AFC Championship are 3-0-1 ATS in that game, and have advanced to the super bowl each time."

[-Slap-]

I'm thinking about taking both dogs on the money line tomorrow.

[TheChamp24]

Good lord, I'm irked. I bet on Kansas today, who was 4 1/2 point underdogs today against Texas Tech. It was a 3 point game with 25 seconds left, and Kansas ball. They shoot a contested 3, Tech gets an easy fast break dunk, 5 point game, and Kansas proceeds to miss 3 three point attempts in the closing seconds. ARGH. Only lost 5 dollars, but man, so close.

[Sassy]

I'd rather bet with people I know (Like my dad and I bet on ALL the games...best record wins...my brother in law...best record Broncos Vs. Colts or whatever...I don't bet specifically on whether the Broncos will win or lose...because when I do it never fails they lose. At least when you play FF it last sixteen weeks ;D

[BroncoBuff]

My advice ... listen to Slap.


And don't bet on the Nuggets ;D

[Hotwheelz]

Parlays are bad. No parlays. Ever.
Bet AGAINST the public.
Bet what you can afford.

[RhymesayersDU]

My advice ... listen to Slap.


And don't bet on the Nuggets ;D

You mean you can't bet on the size of the lead they'll inevitably blow in the 4th quarter? That was going to be my niche!

[broncogary]

The title says it all.

I've bet on sports before, although small. Maybe 5 bucks on a game with a buddy or my dad or something to make it interesting. I have bet twice on basketball in Vegas.

But that's it so far.. Now I want to jump into more serious online gambling. Yes, sign me up as a degenerate gambler.

Anyways, wondering if anybody had any advice or tips. I'm starting at bodog.com, but if anybody has a better site, with better payouts or lines or whatnot, let me know.

So you have no education or marketable skills, not much money, and want to be a serious sports gambler.

Sounds like a plan. Hilarious!

[RhymesayersDU]

So you have no education or marketable skills, not much money, and want to be a serious sports gambler.

Sounds like a plan. Hilarious!

Wow, the world sure is changing. It used to be that an accounting degree for a good business school, as well as an MBA in the works used to be classified as an education as well as a marketable skill.

Boy, did my folks get hosed on tuition.

[broncogary]

Wow, the world sure is changing. It used to be that an accounting degree for a good business school, as well as an MBA in the works used to be classified as an education as well as a marketable skill.

Boy, did my folks get hosed on tuition.

So instead of helping to pay for the MBA in the works, you are going to sports gamble instead. They did get hosed.

[watermock]

So instead of helping to pay for the MBA in the works, you are going to sports gamble instead. They did get hosed.

Don't forget to give him aftershave on his birthday.

[Bronco Billy]

Well, I made two bets for the Saints - Bears game:

Devery Henderson Over 2 receptions and Rashied Davis Over 1.5 receptions. Dind't bet the line or over/under.

[TheChamp24]

I stayed away from the Saints/Bears game.
I bet on the Pats though. From what I've learned, never bet against Tom Brady in the playoffs, unless he's facing the Broncos of course.

[-Slap-]

Rhyme, I told you I don't handicap the NBA, but if I did I would probably be looking to fade (bet against) Sacramento tonight.

They're playing their fourth game in five nights and they lost in OT last night. This is going to be a tired team and, at 22-28, they look like a candidate to pack it in during the second half.

Also, they're sitting Miller down until after the ASB to rest his foot.

[freak6]

Rhyme, I told you I don't handicap the NBA, but if I did I would probably be looking to fade (bet against) Sacramento tonight.

They're playing their fourth game in five nights and they lost in OT last night. This is going to be a tired team and, at 22-28, they look like a candidate to pack it in during the second half.

Also, they're sitting Miller down until after the ASB to rest his foot.

That is how you bet the NBA. Last game a long road trip, or last game of the Texas Triangle. Finding one or two games per week in the NBA is easy money.

College Hoops is where the money is at though.

[-Slap-]

Rhyme, I told you I don't handicap the NBA, but if I did I would probably be looking to fade (bet against) Sacramento tonight.

They're playing their fourth game in five nights and they lost in OT last night. This is going to be a tired team and, at 22-28, they look like a candidate to pack it in during the second half.

Also, they're sitting Miller down until after the ASB to rest his foot.

As predicted, Sacto got crushed 110-93 (http://www.sportsline.com/nba/gamecenter/live/NBA_20070214_SAC@NO).

Free Money.

[Odysseus]

Better off buying some penny stocks IMO.

Absolutely!!! :giggle:

[RhymesayersDU]

As predicted, Sacto got crushed 110-93 (http://www.sportsline.com/nba/gamecenter/live/NBA_20070214_SAC@NO).

Free Money.

If only I had seen this thread last night.

I got hosed on San Antonio @ Detroit. Detroit was -3.5, playing hot, San Antonio was in the middle of a long road trip (and had played the night before on the road) and sure enough they come out and crush Detroit.

Got it back on Phoenix/Seattle Under 222.