Sports Betting-Inside the Numbers:Totals

 A popular method of wagering on sports is totals.Totals are the amount of scores combine in a contest or by an individual. The runs in MLB,the points in the NFL,NBA,WNBA,NCAA Football  and Basketball,along with  NHL are events that most people will bet on. The total gives you the ability to watch and have a vested interest in both teams.You can make your bet on one team to exceed or go under a projected number as well.

How the Sports Book Operators determines  the total for a contest by combining the points that the two teams averaged together.The 2024 Super Bowl LVIII featured the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs. The total was set at 47.5. The 49ers averaged 28.9 points in 2023.The Chiefs averaged 21.8 points.Both teams had outstanding defenses so a number that would be 50.5 was modified by 3 points. The final score was the Chiefs winning 25-22 in overtime.  

There are situations when the Operators are feeling out the public and setting a number based on speculation. Indiana Fever Guard Caitlin Clark played in her first WNBA game against the Connecticut Sun. Her projected points for that game were 20.5. This was based on her performance in college where she averaged 28.4 for her career. She scored 20 in a 92-71 loss.Most of the tickets were on Clark to go over the number. 

The public is prone to make wagers on the over because of the appeal of offense. The use of algorithms keeps the projected number close to the final outcome. This is the ideal circumstance for the operator and the betting public. The public will gravitate toward the over in most sports but over the last 10 seasons in the NFL,the games have gone under 51.32% of the time. Less than 2% of the game end in a push . A push is when a game ends in a tie. 

The strategies  with totals should factor in injuries,weather and if applicable,recent divisional history. Avoid out of conference games unless one team is clearly superior to the other. That team will dominate and the lean to the over would be the play.When looking at individuals,focus on the player's average,last 5 games played and recent performance against an opponent.

Now I will get you ready for the Summer Olympics. Root for your country and make money while doing it. Always practice smart responsible gaming! We will dive into the Summer Games in my next posy.

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NBA All Star Weekend

The NBA All Star Weekend is coming up. Adam Silver has made a significant change to the game by having players from the Eastern and Western Conferences interminable. The captains of the teams are Lebron James and Steph Curry. They selected the players that were voted in similar to how one would pick a team at your local rec center. This will allow players that have never played together as well as some that were former teammates to be on the same squad. 

It will not create the defense intensity that the game currently lacks. One way to bring defense back to the game is to have each player touch the ball during an offensive possession. This would not take place if you acquire the ball by way of a turnover that results in a fast brake.

We would add one more dimension to balance the game offensively. Add a 4 point shot based on distance. That would make no lead insurmountable.

Saric,Simmons and Embiid

We would not change any other aspect of the weekend. The skills competition, The Rising Stars game and the 3 point contest are still fan favorites. Let the fans in the arena vote on keypads for the dunk contest. Make the experience fantastic and interactive.

                                            Which one of these players will win MVP?

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