NBA Draft 2007 (Part 1)

June 29th, 2007

This year, as it is each year, the NBA draft drew its own share of enthusiasts. For sports bettors who pay close attention to the ongoing events at the NBA, then you will surely appreciate some inside news on the draft. Sports Illustrated recently published an article on some behind the scene stories about the draft. I don’t know at this point how useful the information would be in the future but here are bits and pieces of the article nonetheless.

Number 1: Yi and the Bucks
“The Chinese contingent was stunned by the draft destination of its home country’s next great basketball product after Yao Ming.

He looked unhappy,” one reporter from Guangdong said, referring to his lack of a smile as he met NBA commissioner David Stern on stage after the pick.
“We’re all shocked. The Bucks were never in China,” a reporter from Shanghai said.
“Yi said he didn’t know anything about the team, the coach, the GM or the city,” the reporter from Guangdong added.

Soon after the pick, rumors were flying about Yi’s future in Milwaukee. A source in an opposing team’s war room, who knew of Fegan’s desire to avoid having his client land in the Minnesota or Milwaukee markets, speculated that “this could get messy.” Would Yi — who’s been described as a Dirk Nowitzki-like big man and not a Yao clone — demand a trade? Would he threaten to remain in China for another season? Or would he eventually come around to the Bucks, who disregarded Fegan’s warnings because they had Yi ranked as the third-highest player on their draft board?”

Let’s look at the next bit of news in the next post.

Posted in Basketball, Sports Betting | No Comments »

The Due Factor

June 26th, 2007

When betting on sports, there are certain things that are not cut in stone yet are as important as anything else.  These things are called intangibles.  For example, a serious sports bettor analyzes the recent performance of teams in a league.  This analysis will show who is playing well and who is playing poorly.  Aside from that, the sports bettor can find out information such as the mindset of the different teams and players as well as the chemistry between players both within the same team and with other teams.

The question, though, is just how much importance should be placed on the recent games when it comes to sports betting?  There is such a thing called due factor, which in essence simply refers to the idea that a team’s performance is about to change because of an extended streak (whether win or lose).

To give you a clearer picture, think about this year’s NBA champs, the Spurs.  Say they were on a winning streak – they’ve won their last 8 games.  The due factor would dictate that their chances of winning the next game have decreased.   Yet does this ring true?

I don’t think so.  The bottom line is that evaluating previous performances is important in determining sports picks but it does not have a predictive value regarding what will happen in the next game.  Though that is the truth, the due factor type of thinking is so common among gamblers – don’t be misled and fall for it as well.

Posted in Culture, Sports Betting | No Comments »

Sportsbetting and Superstitions – Do They Mix?

June 19th, 2007

We know that sportsbetting and information go hand in hand – of that there is no doubt.  Yet how about another factor that seems to be present in many instances in the world of sportsbetting?  I am talking about superstitions.  Do they really matter when it comes to sportsbetting?

Try going to a sportsbook or even just observing both bet takers and bet makers on Friday the 13th.  The chances are that you will see a large majority crossing their fingers or making any other gesture that is supposed to ward of bad luck – all this despite the fact that there is no empirical proof that Friday the 13th brings about worse odds.

Even the athletes themselves have their own superstitions.  Some have to wear a specific piece of clothing.  Others consider a cross-eyed woman bad luck.  Though these beliefs probably stemmed from way back in the Middle Ages, they still exist today – and more than that, they actually hold sway over some people.

Now I don’t know about certain superstitions but there’s this story about Sam Hildreth, a horse trainer.  One night he dreamt of a big hat.  Arriving at the races the next day, he went over the entries for a horse with the name hat.  He actually found two horses – Hatrick and Top Hat.  Being the superstitious man that he was, he bet on both.  As the race went on, the two horses were nose to nose.  It looked as if they would win one-two.  Imagine Hildreth’s excitement!  At the last moment, though, another horse comes out of nowhere, overtakes the two “hats,” and wins.  His name was Sombrero.

Posted in Culture | No Comments »

Sportsbetting For Delaware

June 12th, 2007

In a move that could either be good news or bad news depending where you stand, the state of Delaware is planning to come up with a bill that would make sportsbetting legal.  Of course, there is more to it than that – the legal aspect would be extended only to a state-run sportsbook which would be overseen by the Delaware Lottery.

On the state’s part, Republican Representative Vincent Lofink holds evidence that this activity could give the state up to 70 million dollars in revenue.  This figure was included in the results of a study commissioned by the Video Lottery Advisory Council (VLAC) and conducted by Morowitz Gaming Advisors LLC in March. This is surely enough to make the opposition think twice.  However, the professional sports sector is definitely not going to take this sitting down.

According to Jay Moyer, legal counsel to the NFL, “…the NFL, NBA, NHL and Major League Baseball would make our presence forcefully known.”  He goes on to say that “We stand foursquare in our opposition.”

Why is the professional sports sector taking this stand?  Mainly because they feel that betting corrupts the sport.

Of course, each to his own.  People who are enthusiasts of sportsbetting believe otherwise.  For those residing in Delaware and the surrounding areas, this is good news.  Having a state-sponsored sportsbook will only give them more opportunities to engage in their activities.  We do have to wait and see how things turn out.  You know very well how it is in politics, some things take time.

Posted in Basketball, NFL, News, Sports Betting | No Comments »

The Importance of Information

June 6th, 2007

Sports betting is perhaps one of the most popular activities in the United States today.  Countless people are engaging in betting on most any kind of sport.  With the NBA Finals just coming up, this event is definitely making a lot of money for the sportsbooks at this time.  However, it is a known fact that the NBA is one of the hardest sports to win at with regards to sports betting.  That is not to say that it is impossible to make money betting on it.  So how does one increase his odds of winning at sports betting for the NBA?

As with most other sports, it all boils down to the information that a bettor has in his hands.  Betting on the NBA requires that you, the bettor, know all that is going on in the league – past and present.  Though predicting what might happen in the future based on the past is not a hundred percent sure, the chances of you getting your predictions right are much higher if you know the ins and outs of the league, including the past seasons.

There are tons of information available online for avid NBA sports bettors.  One of the most important things you have to look at are the stats – both individual and team.  If you are betting on a team you have to look at how they performed in the regular season and how they performed against specific teams.  You also have to research on their playoffs and finals performance and base your bets on their tendencies.  Of course, you need to know all about each player – their physical condition, mental strength, and the like.  Having this information will guide you to making bets with high chances of winning.

Posted in Basketball, Guide, Sports Betting | No Comments »

Strategies for betting on NFL football

May 14th, 2007

To be successful in betting on any sporting event, you would need to employ a certain strategy. Football is perhaps the most popular sport in the US, inciting extreme passion in its followers. When it comes to betting on football, however, there is one thing that you would have to remember – bet with your head and not your heart. Always keep this in mind and you would have a very good chance of making good bets. Here are other tips to help you be successful in betting on football games.

Know your teams very well. Again, this makes use of your brains, not your heart. Study all the teams, find out about their strengths and weaknesses, and follow their progress throughout the season. You should also watch out for the changes in the players from season to season. Trades, retirements, and the like should all be taken into consideration.

Zero in on the motivated teams. Motivation can be everything when it comes to sports. You have heard of how the hunger for a win can make the difference in a crucial game. This factor can be your determining thing when it comes to betting as well. For example, a team who has already gotten a place in the playoffs may not see a certain game to be as important. Their minds may already be in the future. As such, betting on them for that specific game may not be a good idea.

Never chase your losses. Keep a cool head and don’t panic. If you hit a losing streak, do not make the mistake of putting in more money in the hopes that you will get your money back. Take a step back and analyze your situation in an objective manner. Then consider your betting strategy and see if you need to change something. Bet small again and then wait till you get good results.

Employ value betting. This means that you get better than the “true” odds for a game. Do your homework and get the odds yourself in an objective manner. In this manner, you find low risk high reward action.

Monitor player injuries closely. This is one important factor in determining the odds for sporting events. If you monitor them yourself, you will be in the know. However, do not overreact to each and every injury. Take note of the second string players who may do just as good a job as the injured player.

Posted in Football, NFL, Sports Betting | No Comments »

Betting on international sports

April 12th, 2007

With the widespread use of technology for leisure purposes, sports betting has become more available anywhere. In fact, statistics show that betting on international sports has been on a consistent rise recently. What do you need to know about betting on international sports and how is it different from betting on, say, the NCAA or NFL?

For one thing, you would have to be a close follower of the sport that you want to bet on. The principle is basically the same as with basketball or football in the States. You need to know the teams, the players, and the tournament as a whole. This is not much of a problem with cable TV and the Internet today. It is up to you as the bettor to keep a close watch on the specific sport that you want to bet on.

How do you bet on international sports? Go online and look for sportsbooks that offer betting on these events. Again, the principle is much the same as with local sports. Different online sportsbooks have different rules. You need to read about them thoroughly and see if their regulations apply to you. Some may have stipulations regarding your location or origin – laws and regulations do apply. You also need to take a look into how safe the site is for you to trust your money with. You can also place bets through your mobile phone and other gambling establishments. As international sports betting is becoming more and more popular, you have wider choices as to how to participate in this activity.

Now what sports are open for betting on in the international scene? Horse racing is perhaps one of the most popular sports. Another sport you can bet on internationally would be baseball. Other sports are boxing, cricket, motor racing, rugby, and soccer.

Perhaps the most important concern would be to know the rules and governing legislation. Before engaging in any sort of gambling activity, do your homework and know about the applicable rules. There may be minimum and maximum limits as to how much you can bet. There may be rules regarding the mode of payment. Then there is the issue of taxes. You should also know about the different types of bets that bookmakers offer. These may vary from sport to sport and country to country as well. Knowing these particulars beforehand will save you headaches in the future.

Posted in International, Sports Betting | No Comments »

What are the most popular sports to bet on?

March 21st, 2007

Like it or not, one of most popular gambling endeavors is sports betting. In the US, where sports are a very big thing, people tend to spend more money on sports betting than any other endeavor. In other countries, sports betting is starting to gather a huge following as well. What are some of the most popular sports to bet on?

There is no doubt about it, in the US, the most popular sport to bet on would be football. In particular, that would be the NFL (National Football League). Come Superbowl time, sportsbooks and bookies have the busiest time of their lives as people place bets left and right on their favorite teams. This is not to say that betting on football games during the season does not occur as well. As American simply love this game with a passion, so do they place bets on games throughout the whole season.

Perhaps the next most popular sport that Americans bet on is basketball. Both the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) and the NBA (National Basketball Association) are top earners when it comes to sports betting. The popularity of this sport is not only because of the game itself but, especially in the case of the NCAA tournament each year, translated into a cultural phenomenon because of the bracket betting involved.

Racing does not fall far behind when it comes to sports betting. One of the biggest racing events in the US – if not THE biggest – is NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing). Though the offices are located in Florida, the event’s effects are spread throughout the whole country. You can bet on a NASCAR event in two ways – Betting to Win or Matchup Betting. For the first option, you bet on a certain individual or team – whether or not they will come out on top. The latter option pits a driver against his fellow driver or group of drivers.

Another popular game to bet on would be boxing. The increasing popularity of this sport is one reason for more and more people to bet on the outcome of boxing events. Betting on boxing is quite a simple affair. In general, you merely have to wager who will win the fight. There are some proposition bets that can be had, though.

There are, of course, other sporting events that you can bet on. Those mentioned above are merely the most popular events that you can lay your money on and enjoy the games while you are at it.

Posted in Basketball, Boxing, Football, NCAA, Sports Betting, Super Bowl | No Comments »

Basic Sports Betting Vocabulary

March 10th, 2007

Sports betting is not a new activity. Just as with most other endeavors, there is a certain jargon specific to sports betting. Here is a list of some of the basic terms that you have to know for sports betting.

Action – a bet

Air move - this happens when the line on a game is changed by a sportsbook due to another book’s changing their lines. This move is not a result of the bets they receive.

Angles - A method of predicting the result based on past game results.

ATS – against the spread. This means to make a bet that will be decided by adding points to one team or the other after the game is played.

Bad beat - a tough loss. This is usually not deserved.

Barroom bookie - the local bookie who takes in your bets. He usually offers limited options and does not offer deposit bonuses.

Beard - a person who makes bets in place of another person. He usually does this because the sportsbook does not want to accept bets from that person.

Bet - to place money on the result of a certain event.

Bet limit - the highest amount a sportsbook will accept for a bet.

Book - a person or a group of people (entity) who accepts bets.

Bookie - a person who takes bets. However, this usually refers to illegal entities.

BR – bankroll

Chalk - the team that is expected to win; also known as favorite

Cover - to win against the spread

Credit Betting - a form of betting wherein you do not have to place money upfront. Most commonly used with barroom bookies.

Dime - $1,000

Even money - betting a dollar to win a dollar without having to lay any juice

Fade - to place a bet against

Favorite - the team slated to win; also chalk

Flea - a person who bets small time and wants something for nothing

Futures - bets that are placed well before the sports event is set to happen

Handicap - a verb; to analyze a match and then to predict the results

Juice - what bookmakers charge for every bet made

Odds - the chances or likelihood of a result or outcome. Odds are stated in the form of a number.

Sportsbook - a person or a group who accepts bets

Underdog - the team that is expected to lose

Upset - when the underdog beats the favorite team

Wager - also known as bet

Posted in Basics, Sports Betting | No Comments »

Some basic strategies for sports betting

January 15th, 2007

Have you ever wondered why some gamblers or bettors seem to have luck always on their sides? They always seem to know who to bet on and almost always cash in on their wagers. The reason behind their unbelievable good fortune relies partially on luck, but more on their ability to “read” probabilities. They win because, like the teams they bet on, these gamblers know how to strategize.

How do you strategize in a game of luck? Quite simple really … read the news. First thing you should find out is if the team you want to bet on is playing a road game or a home game. A road game is one that is played in a location outside of the team’s base of operations. If the game is on the road, what are the chances that your team would win against the competitors, knowing that the other team will have what is called a “home court advantage”? No, this does not mean referees playing favorites, but the team would be more comfortable and confident playing in their element, enjoying the cheers and support of the home crowd.

Next thing you should check would be the streaks, either winning or losing, of the team you want to bet on. How many consecutive games have they lost or won in the series? Do you think that due to the constant wins, the players have peaked and are likely to lose the next due to exhaustion or over confidence? Or maybe, due to their losing streak, the team is hungrier for a win and will do anything to claw their way out of the cellar? Aside from the game streak, check also how they fared against this team in the past. Have they always been losing or winning when faced with these opponents. These are factors you need to consider.

Also, look at the lineup or check the health of the player. How many of the players are in tip top condition and how many are injured or are just coming out of an injury? Are all the key players in good shape? Believe it or not, these also matter.

Finally, check the odds. Odd-makers make a living out of “predicting” the chances of a team against another. If you want to make sure money, bet on the one that is highly favored to win. If you are a risk taker and want to collect a larger winning, then take a chance on the underdog as payouts for underdogs are usually more substantial.

Posted in Basics, Guide, Sports Betting | No Comments »

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »