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.

Follow me on Twitter ,TikTok and LinkedIn.

Sports Betting-Inside the Numbers:Favorites

 Sports Betting has a variable that all pundits or bettors are aware of. Who is the favorite is the question asked before any contest or event between teams or individuals.This is the team or individual that is generally considered as the better of the two.The consensus of the public along with the statistics associated with opponents plays a part.

The Sports Betting Operators assess the opponents once an event is scheduled and within moments,provide the betting community with a number. While the bettors is lookung at emotional attachments and personal prefences,the operators uses algorithms and data to arrive at a number. The number the operator selects is designed to create a balance of interest in the event. 

When a popular team is onvolved,balance is hard to achieve. Some rabid fans of the Kansas City Chiefs or the Philadelphia Eagles will wager on their home teams  regardless of the designation as a favorite  or a underdog. An undefdog is the team that is viewed as the weaker of the two. Regional Sports Book Operators are quietly rooting that the home team wins but does not cover the number assigned to the event. Covering the number is qinning by more than the figure posted. The Eagles may be favored by 7 points over the New York Giants. The Sports Book Manager in Philadelphia wants to win money. The way to do that is for favorites to loses or at least not cover.

When a number is assigned,there are  two segments that follow it. Smart Money comes in first. Smart Money is from people that are astute sports bettors that generally wager limit or high amounts of money.Smart Money is known to take advantage of a line  or number. Public Money comes next. The public takes time to decipher the number. In that time,the sports book operator can slightly adjust the number based on the smart money wagered initially.

My next post will go into how the operator arrives at a number and the strategy associated with it. Remember that knowlege and discipline equare to power! Always think smart responsible gaming.

Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Sports Betting-Inside the Numbers

 Sports Betting is growing exponentially in popularity.While it has always been part of the landscape in other countries,it is still in the developmental stage in the United States. Prior to the repeal of _PASPA six year ago,legal bets were limited to Nevada. That has now expanded to 38 states. So in an effort to understand the business,I will take you inside the numbers on difference levels.This will allow you to make smart and responsible decisions.

Most articles that you see on Sports Betting will give opinions on who will win the game or who will perform at what level during a contest. I am taking the perspective that the number attached to the event should mitigate the play. The play is the amount of the wager. An example is a star pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies, Ranger Suarez starting against the Oakland Athletics.The price to wager on the Phillies Money line for that game was -235. The money line is a wager that on who will win the game ,regardless of the score.While the Phillies are the best team reordwise in the MLB and the  A's are one of the worst,the price of taking the money line is exorbitant.The win on -235would bring you $100 and you would have $335 in your pocket. A loss would cost your $235.So you would have to win 3 bets at that money line number to recoup your initial loss. The Phillies loss the game 6-2. 

If you are deadset on making a wager at this price,an intelligent approach is to include the bet in a parlay. While the price will weaken the payoff ,the odds of you hitting the parlay have increased without the cash overlay.

We just went inside the number. Before lookung at the odds that are posted,have a price in your mind that is optimal to yourbankroll.Do not exceed that price regardless of the conditions associated with the teams.While Sports Betting is fun,it's more enjoyable when you are discipline and strategic. 

Check out another sports betting strategy in the videi.

Follow me for more on Twitter and Linkedin.

 

 

2024 ESPYS

 The 2024 ESPYS takes place on Thursday at 8:00 pm . The event is being televised by ESPN and hosted by Serena Williams. The ESPYS is an award ceremony that regcognizes achievements by teams and individuals in the world of sports.This is the 32nd year that the ESPYS have beenheld.

It also hightlights philanthropy with the Jimmy V Foundation and the support to fight cancer.The award hifhlight individuals that have overcome obstacles in sports through determination.Some of the notable winners of the Jimmy V Award include Craig Sagar,Stuart Scott and Dick Vitale. The Jimmy V awards jas raised millions of dollar with all the money going to fight cancer. 

The catagories include Best Athlete Mens Sports and Best Athlete Female Sports. The nominees for the Men are Patrick Mahomes,Shohei Ohtani,Scottir Schefflerand Connor McDavid.The nominees for the Women are Caitlin Clark,Coco Gauff,Nelly Korda and A'ja Wilson.A catagory that is highly competitive is the  Best WNBA Player. The nominees are Naphessa Collier,Breanna Stewart,Alyssa Thomas and A'ja Wilson. Click this ESPN Press Release and see all the categories.

While Serena has won 12 ESPYS herself,this will be her first time hosting the event. She is the fourth woman to host the ESPYS. I am looking forward to see her navigate the crowd in a star studded room. I aee her being  charming and engaging,Make sure you tune in! 

Follow me on Twitter and Instagram.

 

WNBA-Week Eight

 The news of thd week is centered around an injury to Minnesota Lynx Star Forward Napheesa Collier. Collier injured  her foot during a 78-63 loss to the Commecticut Sun.Collier was the MVP of the Cmmissioner's Cup Final,beating the New York Liberty. She is already a member of the USA Womens Olympic 5-5 team.The speculation has already started about who would replace her if she is out for an extended period and not able to go to the Oympic Games in Paris.

The alternates are Indiana Fever Guard Caitlin Clark and Sun Forward Brionna Jones. The popular choice would be Clark for obvious reasons. Much of the attention the WNBA has recieved this season was predicated on Clark.Jones is a perennial All Star and plays the same position as Collier. If thechoice is based on fit,Jones is the choice. If the dynamics of economics,marketing and media are involved,Clark gets the nod. Here's hoping Collier can participate and make this a mute point.

Two streaks ended on Friday as the Los Angeles Sparks defeated the Las Vegas Sun in overtime by a score of 98-93,The victory snapped a 6 game winning streak for the Aces. The Sparks ended a 8 game losing streak. The Sparks were led by Dearica Hamby with 28 points and 14 rebounds. A'ja Wilson led the Aces with 35points and 12 rebounds.

Chicago Sky's forward Angel Reese, continued her record shattering double-double streak.In the Sky's upset 88-84  road win over the Seattle Storm,Reese scored 27 points and had 10 rebounds in the victoty.Reese notched her 12th consecutive double-double,tying her with Candace Parkerfor the WNBA record. Reese holds the rookie record that was 7 straight prior to this season. Reese will be in the WNBA All Star Game on 7/20 in Phoenix,Arizona.

Here are the WNBA Weekend Selections. 

 Follow me on Twitter and Instahram.

NBA Free Agency Frenzy in Philly

 The first day of NBA Free Agency is 24 hours old and the Philadelphia 76ers are winners for one day! The Sixers acquired Paul George,Andre Drummond,Eric Gordon and resign Kelly Oubre.George was definitely the best free agent available,after Lebron James. He is a perennial All Star and an upgrade over the likable but underachieving Tobias Harris. George's playoff scoring average is approximately 19 points a game. Harris playoff average over his career is 16,3. Harris did not score in the Sixers final playoff game in 2024.

The excitement of signing George had his name trending on Twitter/X. The odds for the Sixers to win the NBA Title improved as well. There were 7 teams ahead of the Sixers on BetMGM prior to the signing. The Sixers have vaulted those teams and are now near the top,trailing the Boston Celtics and Denver Nuggets.The Sixers odds are +800.

The addition of Drummond solidifys the backup center position.When the Sixers subtittute Joel Embiid for a rest,load management or injury,they will be cohensive on defense and with rebounding.Gordon id s proven 3 point shooter and will spread the floor. He averages 37.1 for his career. The resiging of Oubre allows Head Coach Nick Nurse the flexibility to start him or make him the 6th man off the bench.

While decisions will be made regarding some of the free agents that the Sixers have on the roster,this team is an improvement over the 2023-24 team. That team was 31-8 with Embiid. Tyrese Maxey will get a max deal after the margibal free agents are addressed.The Sixers win on Day One!

Here is my video reaction to the Paul Goerge acquisition.

Follow me on Twitter and Instagram.

NBA and NHL Drafts along with the top Free Agents

 The NBA Draft took place on Wednesday and Thursday. While all 30 teams had an opportunity to improve their team by selecting someone based on need or best player available,there was no franchise changing player in the entire draft based on a prior body of work.Most of the conversation was centered around where Bronny James would go and at what spot. The Los Angeles Lakers pick Bronny in the 2nd round with the 55th pick. The comments about the pselection range to nepotism to prospect.The nepotism comments are no different than one's associated with Jack Buck,Jeremy Schapp or Wade Phillips. All of these men had famous fathers whose positions afforded them opportunities in fields where the parent was well respected.Lebron James is no exception. He just voiced his desire publicly on multiple ocassions. He is npw psrt of history for being part of the first father-son duo to play in the NBA at th. same time and for the same faranchise.

• Acording to CBS Sports,these are 7 teams that earned  high grades for the NBA Draft 2024.
• Atlanta Hawks
• Los Angeles Lakers
• San Antnio Spur
• Philadelphia 76ers
• Oklahoma City Thunder
• Memphis Grizzlies
• Portland TrailBlazers

The  NBA Free Ag period is about to start with several prominent players available. DeMar DeRozan,D'Angelo Russell,Isaiah Hartenstein,James Harden,Klay Thompson and Miles Bridges are in that group. The players whose names are being floated in trade talks are Jimmy Butler,Paul George, and Brandon Ingram. The New York Knicks made everyone take notice bywith the acquisition of Mikal Bridges and the resigning of OG Anunoby.

The NHL Draft takes place tonight in Las Vegas. This is the first televised event drom the Sphere. It will be shown on ESPN and the NHL Network. Check out the video for more.

Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn.