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Sports Betting
On this page
Introduction
I have a ton of stuff on this website about sports betting. Way to much to fit on one page. If you're already familiar with the basics of how to make a sports bet, I invite you to go to skip this page and jump to one of my pages on a specific sport, as follows:
If you're new to sports betting, this page will endeavor to teach you the major types of bets. We'll use the photo above as a reference for some of them. In particular, we'll focus on the Rams/Vikings game, which looks like this:
Oct. 11, 2009 — Vikings Vs. Rams
| 401 | Vikings | -10 | -600 |
| 402 | Rams | 41 | +400 |
In all sports betting, the odds are on a "to one" basis. In other words, you always get your bet back, plus winnings, if you win. So, for example, if you must bet $11 to win $10, then you would present $11 at the window and the writer will give you a ticket worth $21 if it wins.
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Money Line
Money Line bets are simply on whom will win. No point spreads or any other nonsense.
Most of the time, one team will be favored over the other. So, if you bet the underdog, then you're rewarded with more than even money if they win. If you want to bet the favorite, then you will have to risk more than what you stand to win.
Consider game numbers 401 and 402 in the example above. The +400 for the Rams means that a bet on the Rams would pay 4 to 1. The -600 on the Vikings means that if you bet them, then you have to lay 6 to 1.
Examples:
- A $100 on the Rams would win $400.
- A $600 bet on the Vikings would win $100.
Point Spread
The most common way to bet football and basketball is with a point spread. Most sports bettors like a wager that has about a 50% chance to win. Less than that and you'll probably lose. More than that and you won't win much if you do win.
Compare Online NBA Odds
Basketball : NBA
Today
| Upcoming matches | Money Line | Spread | Total | Featured Insight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Sat Dec 21st 8pm
Minnesota Timberwolves Golden State Warriors |
⇘225.00 |
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⇘2.00 |
Timberwolves vs. Warriors: Golden State's strong home performance could give them the edge, but Minnesota's young talent poses a challenge. Watch for key matchups and shooting efficiency. |
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Sat Dec 21st 8pm
San Antonio Spurs Portland Trail Blazers |
⇗5.00 |
⇗15.00 |
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The Spurs' young talent faces Blazers' dynamic guards. Consider the Spurs' home-court advantage and Blazers' recent struggles. Focus on guard matchups and bench performance for wagering insights. |
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Sat Dec 21st 8pm
Dallas Mavericks Los Angeles Clippers |
⇗175.00 |
⇗216.00 |
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Mavericks' Doncic is pivotal, while Clippers rely on Leonard's defense. Dallas's three-point shooting is critical. Watch team injuries closely, impacting game dynamics. Clutch plays might decide the outcome. |
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Sat Dec 21st 9pm
Phoenix Suns Detroit Pistons |
⇗140.00 |
⇗5.00 |
⇗10.00 |
Phoenix Suns are strong favorites with a better record. Pistons struggle defensively. Consider betting on Suns, but watch Pistons' young talent. Monitor player injuries before wagering. |
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Sun Dec 22nd 6pm
Toronto Raptors Houston Rockets |
222
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-110 (224.5)
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Raptors vs Rockets: Toronto has strong defense, Houston's offense is improving. Key players: VanVleet, Green. Home-court advantage for Raptors. Close game expected. Watch turnovers and three-point shooting. |
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Sun Dec 22nd 6pm
Sacramento Kings Indiana Pacers |
-135
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⇗5.00 |
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The Sacramento Kings have a stronger offense, but the Indiana Pacers excel in transitions. Watch out for a close match. Home court might give Sacramento an edge. |
Next Week
| Upcoming matches | Money Line | Spread | Total | Featured Insight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Sun Dec 22nd 7pm
New Orleans Pelicans Denver Nuggets |
⇘49.00 |
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Denver Nuggets have a strong home advantage. Watch for Jokic's performance. Pelicans' Zion can influence the outcome. Tough defense key. Betting odds slightly favor Nuggets. Expect a close match. |
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Wed Dec 25th 12pm
New York Knicks San Antonio Spurs |
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The Knicks have a strong defense this season, while the Spurs struggle on the road. Expect a low-scoring game with the Knicks as favorites. |
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Wed Dec 25th 2pm
Dallas Mavericks Minnesota Timberwolves |
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Consider player matchups, recent performance trends, and home-court advantage. Dallas's offense versus Minnesota's defense could be pivotal. Injuries and bench strength might influence outcomes. |
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Wed Dec 25th 8pm
Golden State Warriors Los Angeles Lakers |
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-105 (233.5)
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Warriors' strong perimeter shooting meets Lakers' tough defense. Watch Curry vs. LeBron duel. Lakers' size advantage could be key. Close match expected with high-scoring potential. |
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Wed Dec 25th 10pm
Phoenix Suns Denver Nuggets |
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Consider Denver's strong home record. Suns' depth increases their competitiveness. Check injury reports for impact players. Nuggets' Jokic is a key factor. Look at recent head-to-head performance. |
Basketball : NBA Championship Winner
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| Portland Trail Blazers |
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| Washington Wizards |
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Basketball : NCAAB
Today
| Upcoming matches | Money Line | Spread | Total | Featured Insight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Sat Dec 21st 9pm
Weber State Wildcats Utah Valley Wolverines |
⇗150.00 |
⇗10.00 |
⇗2.00 |
Assess Weber State's offensive strategies and Utah Valley's defense efficiency. Home-court advantage for Utah Valley could influence the outcome. Consider recent performance trends. |
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Sat Dec 21st 9pm
Gonzaga Bulldogs Bucknell Bison |
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⇗20.00 |
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Gonzaga Bulldogs hold a strong advantage over Bucknell Bison. Analyze player stats and recent performances. Consider underdog potential. Check the spread and money line odds before betting. |
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Sat Dec 21st 9pm
Omaha Mavericks Cal Poly Mustangs |
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⇘208.00 |
Expect a tightly contested matchup. Omaha's offense versus Cal Poly's defensive strategies will be key. Watch for three-point accuracy. Mavericks hold the advantage in rebounds. Home court may influence outcome. |
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Sat Dec 21st 9pm
San Diego Toreros UC San Diego Tritons |
⇗850.00 |
100 (10.5)
⇗220.00 |
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The game features evenly matched teams. Key players to watch include San Diego's guards versus UC's forwards. Expect a competitive game with possible overtime. Keep an eye on shooting percentages. |
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Sat Dec 21st 9pm
UTEP Miners Yale Bulldogs |
⇘3.00 |
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Yale Bulldogs are favorites against UTEP Miners based on recent form. UTEP's defensive struggles could be pivotal. Monitor player injuries and recent game performance for betting insights. |
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Sat Dec 21st 9pm
CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners Portland St Vikings |
⇗10.00 |
⇗9.00 |
⇘5.00 |
Portland St Vikings hold a slight edge with a strong home record. CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners rely on defense. Watch out for player injuries affecting team performance. |
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Sat Dec 21st 10pm
San Diego St Aztecs California Golden Bears |
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⇗5.00 |
⇗8.00 |
San Diego State's strong defense may limit Cal's scoring. Look for a low-scoring game. Betting on the under could be a smart move. |
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Sat Dec 21st 10pm
San José St Spartans Kennesaw St Owls |
⇗11.00 |
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San José St Spartans vs. Kennesaw St Owls: Consider Spartans' home advantage. Owls may struggle with Spartans' defensive tactics. Monitor player injuries and recent form for informed betting. |
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Sun Dec 22nd 12pm
Cornell Big Red Illinois St Redbirds |
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Consider offensive strengths; Cornell's perimeter shooting can be impactful. Illinois State's strong defense may counteract. Home court might give Illinois an edge. Monitor injuries and player performance trends. |
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Sun Dec 22nd 1pm
Stonehill Skyhawks New Hampshire Wildcats |
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Expect a competitive game. Wildcats may leverage home advantage, but Skyhawks' recent form makes it unpredictable. Key players: Wildcats’ defense, Skyhawks’ shooters. Monitor injury updates for late changes. | |
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Sun Dec 22nd 1pm
Iowa State Cyclones Morgan St Bears |
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Iowa State Cyclones are favorites against Morgan State Bears. Consider Cyclones' strong defense and home advantage. Bears struggle on the road. Monitor player injuries and latest odds before betting. | |
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Sun Dec 22nd 1pm
Colgate Raiders Iona Gaels |
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Colgate's strong offense faces Iona's disciplined defense. Consider Colgate’s scoring average and Iona’s home court advantage. Look for point spread value and potential over/under surprises. | |
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Sun Dec 22nd 1pm
Oklahoma Sooners Central Arkansas Bears |
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Oklahoma Sooners have the edge due to superior talent and home court advantage while Central Arkansas struggles against stronger teams. | |
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Sun Dec 22nd 1pm
Michigan Wolverines Fort Wayne Mastodons |
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⇗5.00 |
Michigan Wolverines are heavy favorites over the Fort Wayne Mastodons. Consider the Wolverines' strong roster and home advantage, but don't underestimate potential upsets in early season games. |
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Sun Dec 22nd 1pm
Towson Tigers Bryant Bulldogs |
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Towson Tigers have strong defense but struggle offensively. Bryant Bulldogs rely on fast-paced offense. Key players: Towson's Timberlake and Bryant's Kiss. Expect a tight matchup, potential upset. | |
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Sun Dec 22nd 1pm
Army Knights Binghamton Bearcats |
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Army Knights have a strong defense, while Binghamton Bearcats excel in fast breaks. Watch the guards, as they may tilt the game. Home-court advantage could be pivotal. | |
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Sun Dec 22nd 1pm
Miami (OH) RedHawks Sacred Heart Pioneers |
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The matchup sees Miami (OH) RedHawks favored. Consider their strong offense against Sacred Heart Pioneers’ defense. Look for performance consistency and recent game results to guide your bets. |
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Sun Dec 22nd 1pm
Missouri Tigers Illinois Fighting Illini |
⇗7.00 |
⇗5.00 |
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Expect a close game as Missouri Tigers clash with Illinois Fighting Illini. Both teams have strong offenses, but Illinois holds a slight defensive edge. Watch for key turnovers. |
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Sun Dec 22nd 1pm
Alabama Crimson Tide Kent State Golden Flashes |
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Alabama's strong defense faces Kent's fast-paced offense. Expect a high-scoring game. Look for John Petty Jr. from Alabama and Kent's Trevor Huffman to lead their teams. |
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Sun Dec 22nd 2pm
Virginia Cavaliers American Eagles |
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Betting on Virginia Cavaliers is a safer option due to their strong record. American Eagles might struggle offensively against Virginia’s solid defense. Consider point spread and over/under bets. | |
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Sun Dec 22nd 2pm
George Mason Patriots Pennsylvania Quakers |
⇗500.00 |
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George Mason may have edge in rebounding, but Pennsylvania's sharp three-point shooting poses a threat. Key players could be decisive. Betting odds likely reflect a close, competitive matchup. |
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Sun Dec 22nd 2pm
West Virginia Mountaineers Mercyhurst Lakers |
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West Virginia is favored with deeper talent. Mercyhurst struggles against strong teams. Consider West Virginia for spread bets. Look into point total for potential value. | |
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Sun Dec 22nd 2pm
South Carolina Gamecocks Radford Highlanders |
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The South Carolina Gamecocks are favored against the Radford Highlanders, with a strong home advantage. Radford's recent form shows strengths, but South Carolina's consistency makes them likely winners. | |
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Sun Dec 22nd 2pm
VCU Rams William & Mary Tribe |
⇗2,500.00 |
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VCU Rams have a strong defense. William & Mary might struggle offensively. Consider betting on VCU for a likely win, but watch for underdog surprises. |
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Sun Dec 22nd 2pm
TCU Horned Frogs Montana St Bobcats |
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The TCU Horned Frogs face the unpredictable Montana State Bobcats. TCU's home advantage and stronger lineup suggest an edge, but Montana State's resilience can't be underestimated. |
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Sun Dec 22nd 2pm
Missouri St Bears UC Santa Barbara Gauchos |
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Missouri St Bears to face UC Santa Barbara Gauchos. Consider team stats, recent form, head-to-head. Analyze star players and injury updates to make informed bets. Expect a competitive match. |
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Sun Dec 22nd 2pm
Wisconsin Badgers Detroit Mercy Titans |
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Wisconsin Badgers are strong favorites against Detroit Mercy Titans. Expect dominant performance due to their superior defense. Betting on Badgers' victory seems advantageous with current team dynamics. | |
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Sun Dec 22nd 3pm
UAB Blazers Alcorn St Braves |
⇗5.00 |
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UAB Blazers have a strong home court advantage. Alcorn State Braves struggle away from home. Watch for UAB's offensive depth to overpower Alcorn's defense. Consider betting on UAB. | |
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Sun Dec 22nd 3pm
North Texas Mean Green Houston Christian Huskies |
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North Texas Mean Green has a strong defense. Houston Christian Huskies struggle offensively. Expect a low-scoring game with North Texas likely to win comfortably. | |
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Sun Dec 22nd 3pm
Lafayette Leopards McNeese Cowboys |
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⇗5.00 |
Consider team's recent form and head-to-head stats. Key player injuries might impact outcomes. Check betting odds for value bets. Weather and travel influence are negligible. Bank on informed predictions. | |
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Sun Dec 22nd 3pm
Charleston Cougars Oregon St Beavers |
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Charleston Cougars have a strong offense. Oregon St Beavers focus on defense. Expect a close game with potential for an upset. |
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Sun Dec 22nd 3pm
Rice Owls Prairie View Panthers |
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Rice Owls have a strong home record. Prairie View Panthers struggle on the road. Consider betting on Rice's win with a possible spread. Check player injuries for impact. | |
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Sun Dec 22nd 3pm
LSU Tigers New Orleans Privateers |
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Consider LSU Tigers' strong home performance. New Orleans Privateers may struggle defensively. Watch for high scoring. Favorable odds on LSU due to home advantage and recent form. | |
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Sun Dec 22nd 3pm
Kansas Jayhawks Brown Bears |
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Kansas Jayhawks are favored to win against Brown Bears. Consider injuries and recent performances. Kansas has a strong home record. Betting odds may favor Kansas, but upsets happen. | |
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Sun Dec 22nd 3pm
Oklahoma St Cowboys Oral Roberts Golden Eagles |
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⇗10.00 |
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Consider Oklahoma State's strong defense against Oral Roberts' offensive prowess. Home advantage could favor Oral Roberts. Analyze recent performances and injury updates before betting. |
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Sun Dec 22nd 3pm
Georgia Bulldogs Charleston Southern Buccaneers |
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Consider Georgia Bulldogs' strong offense against Charleston Southern Buccaneers' defense. Evaluate recent performances, injury reports, and home advantage before betting. | |
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Sun Dec 22nd 4pm
USC Trojans Southern Jaguars |
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USC Trojans have home advantage and a stronger roster. Southern Jaguars will rely on defense. Expect USC to cover the spread. Key players to watch: Boogie Ellis and Joshua Morgan. |
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Sun Dec 22nd 4pm
Cincinnati Bearcats Grambling St Tigers |
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Sun Dec 22nd 4pm
Grand Canyon Antelopes Saint Louis Billikens |
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⇗12.00 |
Expect a closely contested game between Grand Canyon Antelopes and Saint Louis Billikens. Both teams have strong defenses, making point spreads crucial. Watch for key player performances. |
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Sun Dec 22nd 4pm
NC State Wolfpack Rider Broncs |
⇗5,000.00 |
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NC State Wolfpack is favored over Rider Broncs. Wolfpack’s strong offense and home-court advantage are key factors. Rider’s defense will be tested. Consider point spread and over/under wagers. |
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Sun Dec 22nd 5pm
CSU Fullerton Titans Wyoming Cowboys |
⇗30.00 |
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CSU Fullerton Titans vs. Wyoming Cowboys: Look for Wyoming’s strong home record. Titans' defense could be the difference. Consider points spread for a balanced bet strategy. |
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Sun Dec 22nd 5pm
Oakland Golden Grizzlies Loyola (Chi) Ramblers |
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Oakland Golden Grizzlies may struggle against Loyola Chicago's strong defense. Watch for a competitive match. Key players will be pivotal. Consider betting spreads and player props for value. |
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Sun Dec 22nd 6pm
Notre Dame Fighting Irish Le Moyne Dolphins |
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Notre Dame has a strong offense and home-court advantage. Le Moyne struggles away. Expect a competitive match with Notre Dame favored to win. |
Next Week
| Upcoming matches | Money Line | Spread | Total | Featured Insight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Sun Dec 22nd 7pm
Seton Hall Pirates Georgetown Hoyas |
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⇗3.00 |
Analyze Seton Hall's recent defensive performance and Georgetown's scoring trends. Consider historical matchups and player injuries for better betting insights. Check line movement for value betting opportunities. |
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Sun Dec 22nd 7pm
Loyola Marymount Lions North Alabama Lions |
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Loyola Marymount's strong home record and North Alabama's weak defense make Loyola the favorite. Watch for key players' performance in this matchup. |
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Sun Dec 22nd 8pm
Saint Mary's Gaels Utah State Aggies |
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Saint Mary's Gaels are strong defensively, but Utah State Aggies have potent offense. Consider under bet on total points, but watch for offensive bursts. |
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Sun Dec 22nd 9pm
Murray St Racers Nebraska Cornhuskers |
⇗43.00 |
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Murray St's fast pace challenges Nebraska's defense. Key players impact scoring. Check latest injury reports. Watch betting odds for value. Home court might favor Nebraska. |
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Sun Dec 22nd 11pm
Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors Charlotte 49ers |
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⇗5.00 |
Consider the Rainbow Warriors' home advantage and current form. Investigate injuries and Charlotte's away performance. Check betting odds trends for a well-informed decision. |
To achieve about a 50/50 chance of winning a bet on a lopsided game, like the Rams vs. Vikings above, the sports books have come up with the "point spread."
Before I go on, let me clarify some terminology. Despite it being probably the most popular way to bet, there is no particular term for a bet against the spread. Many people call this a "straight bet." However, this term can also be used, and is printed on tickets for, money line bets, total bets, and any other bet involving just one game. For purposes of this page, I call such bets a "point spread" bet, and invite the rest of the world to adopt this terminology.
A point spread is simply a handicap you give the weaker team, or deduct from the stronger one, depending on how you look at it. For example, if my average scoring in bowling is 120 and I play somebody with an average of 140, then to make a wager fair, I might be given a free 20 points. In this case you would say my point spread is +20.
In the example above you can see a -10 next to the Vikings. That means that the Vikings are favored to win by 10 points. So, if you bet the Vikings you give up ten points and if you bet the Rams you get 10 points.
Usually with point spread bets you risk $11 for every $10 you stand to win.
Examples:
- A $110 bet on the Rams would win $100 if they win the game or lose by less than 10.
- A $110 bet on the Vikings would win $100 if the Vikings win by more than 10.
Both bets will push if the Vikings win by exactly 10.
Total
Total Bets are similar to point spread bets, except the bettor bets on the total points scored. In the example above the bettor bets whether the total points combined between the Vikings and Rams will be over or under 41. Like point spread bets the bettor must generally risk $11 to win $10, for a house edge of 4.54%.
Examples:
- A $55 bet on the under would win $50 if the total points in the game were 40 or less.
- A $55 bet on the over would win $50 if the total points in the game were 42 or less.
- Any bet on the over or under would push if the total points in the game were exactly 41.
Parlays
Parlay bets are a good and popular way to potentially win big with a small wager. The way they work is the bettor picks two or more events, which all must win or push to win the bet. One or more loss will cause the whole parlay bet to lose. In the event of a push, that "leg" of the parlay bet will be ignored and the win will be reduced to whatever it would pay if that selection were never made.
The way the win on parlay bets is calculated is as follows:
- If the player made two or more picks that are at -110 odds, then a parlay table will be used to determine to determine the win for just those events. These tables offer stingy odds, except for the two-leg parlay.
- After that, a mathematical calculation will be used for the other legs, as if the player made each bet independently.
As an example, consider the following parlay bet I made at the Golden Nugget, for the purposes of example only.
Note the parlay above contains four legs at -110 odds and one at +210. The Golden Nugget pays 11 to 1 for a four-leg parlay. The total return of a parlay, including the return of the original bet, is the product of what every bet would be on a for one basis. In this case, $10 × 12 × 3.1 = $372.20.
My advice on parlays is to never include more than two legs at -110 odds.
For more information on parlays, please see my section on parlay bets the NFL. You can also find a survey of Las Vegas parlay tables at Wizard of Vegas.
Compare Online NFL Odds
American Football : NFL
Today
| Upcoming matches | Money Line | Spread | Total | Featured Insight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Sun Dec 22nd 1pm
Carolina Panthers Arizona Cardinals |
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-110 (47)
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Expect an intense matchup. Panthers aim to dominate with McCaffrey, while Cardinals rely on Murray's agility. Defensive strategies will be crucial. Watch for turnovers impacting game flow. |
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Sun Dec 22nd 1pm
Atlanta Falcons New York Giants |
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The Falcons' offense is strong, but their defense struggles. Giants show solid defense, but lack offensive consistency. Look for turnovers and QB performance to be key factors. |
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Sun Dec 22nd 1pm
Buffalo Bills New England Patriots |
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⇗5.00 |
-110 (46.5)
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Buffalo's strong offense faces Patriots' resilient defense. Key players: Josh Allen, Stefon Diggs vs. Mac Jones, Matthew Judon. Consider home advantage, weather, and recent form for placing bets. |
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Sun Dec 22nd 1pm
Chicago Bears Detroit Lions |
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-110 (47.5)
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The Bears' defense struggles against high-powered offenses. Lions have a potent passing game, making them favored. Weather conditions could influence play. Monitor any injuries for impact on betting lines. |
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Sun Dec 22nd 1pm
Indianapolis Colts Tennessee Titans |
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-110 (42.5)
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Colts and Titans have a strong rivalry. Colts excel in passing; Titans dominate the ground game. Key matchup: Colts’ defense vs. Derrick Henry. Weather could impact passing plays. |
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Sun Dec 22nd 1pm
New York Jets Los Angeles Rams |
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-110 (46.5)
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Jets rely on solid defense; Rams boast a stronger offense. Watch for quarterback matchups. Possible low-scoring game. Special teams could decide. Bet cautiously. |
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Sun Dec 22nd 1pm
Washington Commanders Philadelphia Eagles |
⇘2.00 |
-110 (3.5)
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-110 (45.5)
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Eagles are favored with strong offense. Commanders need defensive strategy. Key player performance could shift odds. Watch for turnovers and special teams impact. Betting line fluctuates with injuries. |
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Sun Dec 22nd 1pm
Cincinnati Bengals Cleveland Browns |
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Consider the Bengals' strong offense against the Browns' defense. Check injury reports. Weather could affect gameplay. Recent head-to-head statistics and home-field advantage are pivotal for betting decisions. |
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Sun Dec 22nd 4pm
Seattle Seahawks Minnesota Vikings |
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Seahawks' strong offense clashes with Vikings' tight defense. Key players: Wilson, Cook. Home advantage favors Vikings. Monitor weather conditions. Bet cautiously, as both teams show unpredictable performances. |
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Sun Dec 22nd 4pm
Las Vegas Raiders Jacksonville Jaguars |
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-110 (-2)
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-110 (40.5)
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Las Vegas Raiders boast a strong offense while Jaguars' defense shows resilience. Monitor line movement and injury reports. Raiders slightly favored, expect a close game with potential high scoring. |
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Sun Dec 22nd 4pm
Miami Dolphins San Francisco 49ers |
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The Miami Dolphins and San Francisco 49ers face off in a close matchup. Evaluate recent performance, injuries, and weather conditions before placing your bets. Home advantage favors the 49ers. |
Next Week
| Upcoming matches | Money Line | Spread | Total | Featured Insight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Sun Dec 22nd 8pm
Dallas Cowboys Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
⇗2.00 |
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Cowboys' strong offense faces Buccaneers' solid defense. Key players and turnovers will likely decide the game's outcome. Watch for momentum shifts in crucial moments. |
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Mon Dec 23rd 8pm
Green Bay Packers New Orleans Saints |
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-110 (-14)
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-110 (42)
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Green Bay Packers may face challenges against New Orleans Saints due to strong Saints defense. Key players to watch: Aaron Rodgers and Alvin Kamara. Weather could impact play strategies. |
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Wed Dec 25th 4pm
Pittsburgh Steelers Kansas City Chiefs |
130
|
-105 (2.5)
⇗5.00 |
-110 (42.5)
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Pittsburgh's defense meets Kansas City's high-scoring offense; pivotal match for playoff positions. Watch for Mahomes' passes and Steelers' counter play. Weather could impact game dynamics. |
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Wed Dec 25th 8pm
Houston Texans Baltimore Ravens |
⇗35.00 |
-105 (3)
⇗5.00 |
-110 (47.5)
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Baltimore Ravens likely favored. Monitor Texans' rookie QB play. Consider Ravens' home-field advantage and recent performance. Weather conditions may influence the game strategy. Evaluate injury reports. |
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Thu Dec 26th 8pm
Chicago Bears Seattle Seahawks |
|
⇗210.00 |
-110 (41.5)
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Consider the Bears' improving defense against Seattle's inconsistent offense. Watch for weather impact as it could favor the ground game. Key players' injuries might influence the outcome heavily. |
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Sun Dec 29th 1pm
Buffalo Bills New York Jets |
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-105 (-10)
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-110 (48.5)
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Buffalo Bills strong offense meets New York Jets resilient defense. Watch for key player matchups, turnovers, and weather impacts. Bills favored, but Jets' underdog status could offer value. |
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Sun Dec 29th 1pm
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Carolina Panthers |
-250
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-110 (-8.5)
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-110 (47.5)
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Tampa Bay's strong defense faces Carolina's struggling offense. Monitor player injuries. Weather might impact gameplay. Consider betting under on total points and favor Tampa Bay to win. |
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Sun Dec 29th 1pm
Minnesota Vikings Green Bay Packers |
122
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-110 (-1.5)
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-110 (48.5)
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Vikings face Packers, NFC North rivalry. Key players matter: Cousins for Vikings, Love for Packers. Weather at Lambeau Field plays a role. Defense challenges and interceptions can decide winner. |
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Sun Dec 29th 1pm
Jacksonville Jaguars Tennessee Titans |
|
-110 (-1)
|
-110 (39.5)
|
Jaguars' strong offense faces Titans' robust defense. Key players: Jaguars' Lawrence and Titans' Henry. Home advantage may favor Jaguars. Monitor Titans' injuries for betting impact. |
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Sun Dec 29th 1pm
New Orleans Saints Las Vegas Raiders |
|
-110 (-2.5)
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-110 (40.5)
|
Consider Saints' strong home record and Raiders' travel fatigue. Saints' defense solid, Raiders' offense struggles. Saints favored but expect a close game. |
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Sun Dec 29th 1pm
Washington Commanders Atlanta Falcons |
122
|
-110 (-4.5)
|
-110 (46)
|
The Commanders' defense may struggle against the Falcons' versatile offense. Betting on Atlanta could be wise as they play strongly at home. Monitor injury reports closely before placing bets. |
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Sun Dec 29th 1pm
Cincinnati Bengals Denver Broncos |
|
-105 (-3)
|
-110 (47.5)
|
Cincinnati Bengals have strong offense. Denver Broncos rely on solid defense. Key player injuries might affect game outcome. Weather conditions could play a role. Bet cautiously on point spread. |
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Sun Dec 29th 1pm
New York Giants Indianapolis Colts |
|
-110 (6.5)
|
-110 (40)
|
The betting insight for New York Giants vs. Indianapolis Colts: Giants' strong offense vs. Colts' inconsistent defense may lean the scale. Consider the home field advantage in Giants' favor. |
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Sun Dec 29th 1pm
New England Patriots Los Angeles Chargers |
|
-110 (5.5)
|
-110 (41.5)
|
Patriots' strong defense faces Chargers' dynamic offense. Quarterback matchup is crucial. Both teams aim for playoff contention. Key injuries could impact performance. Weather may play a role. |
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Sun Dec 29th 4pm
Los Angeles Rams Arizona Cardinals |
|
|
-110 (49)
|
Rams' defense outshines Cardinals. Expect high-paced game, Rams likely to cover spread. Key players: Stafford, Kupp. Cardinals need Murray's agility to excel. Watch weather conditions. |
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Sun Dec 29th 4pm
Philadelphia Eagles Dallas Cowboys |
-145
|
-110 (-11)
|
-110 (44.5)
|
Eagles' strong offensive line balances Cowboys' defense. Watch Hurts vs. Prescott duel. Turnovers and home advantage crucial. Eagles favored slightly, but it's a close matchup. Monitor injured players closely. |
Next Month
| Upcoming matches | Money Line | Spread | Total | Featured Insight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Sun Dec 29th 8pm
Cleveland Browns Miami Dolphins |
|
-110 (3.5)
|
-110 (41.5)
|
The Cleveland Browns face the Miami Dolphins. Consider Miami’s strong offense and Cleveland’s inconsistent form. Monitor injury reports and line movements for strategic betting decisions. |
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Mon Dec 30th 8pm
San Francisco 49ers Detroit Lions |
|
-110 (3)
|
-110 (51.5)
|
49ers have a strong defense, but watch out for Lions' offensive push. Injuries could affect performance. Home advantage favors Lions, but 49ers' track record shines. |
Teasers
Teasers are similar to parlays except the point spread on each game moves a certain number of points in the player's favor. In football the player gets 6 to 7 points, and in basketball, 4 to 5 points. The player pays for this in the form of much lower winnings. For example, if the Vikings were part of a 6-point teaser, then they would only need to win by more than 4 points to cover. If the Rams were part of a teaser, they could win, or lose by less than 16, and cover.
More information:
- Teaser bets in the NFL.
- Vegas sports book comparison for the teaser odds at all the Vegas sports book groups.
Buying Half a Point
In football and basketball, the straight bet player has the option to move the point spread 1/2 point to his advantage. The cost of this half point is laying 120, as opposed to 110. Not all sports books allow this, and if they do, they usually don't let you buy off of the common three-point margin of victory in football.
Futures
Futures are a bet on who will win the championship when there are still more than two possible teams to bet on. The house edge on futures varies substantially from one sports book to another. However, in general, they are a sucker bet.
More information:
- For information on who does offer the best futures in Las Vegas visit my sports betting appendix 5.
- You can also use my sports futures calculator to calculate the overall house edge of a set of futures bets.
Propositions
Often big games will have "proposition" bets on things not directly related to the final score of the game. These are usually abbreviated to "prop" bets. For example, in football whether or not the first score will be a touchdown. In baseball whether a run will be scored in the first inning. In hockey/soccer, whether anybody will score a hat trick. The odds on these are expressed like point spread bets. For example, as I write this the Golden Nugget has the following proposition bet on Super Bowl 49:
Will there be a safety in the game?
Yes: +500
No: -700
This means a bet on the "yes" pays 5 to 1, and on the "no" pays 1 to 7.
More information:
Basic Strategy
I could talk all day about betting sports but I know some of my readers just want it simplified to nice sound bites. For them, here is my basic strategy for sports betting:
- Money lines: Bet underdogs.
- Point spread bets: Bet underdogs.
- Totals: Bet unders.
- Parlays: Bet off the board as opposed to the cards. Either do a three-team parlay or mix in one event that doesn't pay -110 odds.
- Teasers: Unless you know to cross the key numbers (namely 3 and 7 in football), avoid teasers completely.
- Futures: Avoid them, as they carry a high house edge of about 30%. If you must bet them, for entertainment reasons, do so in strict moderation.
- Propositions: Bet unders and things not to happen.
- All bets: Shop around. Lines can vary from one sports book to another. It pays to compare lines for extra points or better odds.
Internal Links
- Betting the NFL In-depth look at betting professional football.
- Betting College Football In-depth look at betting college football.
- Parlay Bets in the NFL
- Teaser Bets in the NFL
- Pleaser Bets in the NFL
- Betting the MLB In-depth look at betting professional baseball.
- Betting the NBA In-depth look at betting professional basketball.
- Appendix 1 Comparative study on who has the best lines in Vegas.
- Appendix 2 Various topics in sports betting.
- Appendix 3 List of Las Vegas sports book families.
- Appendix 4 Fair prices to buy and sell points in the NFL.
- Appendix 5 Explores sports futures in greater depth.
- Appendix 6 Lost and expired tickets.
- Appendix 7 Companion to appendix 1, showing NFL money line pairs from several Internet sportbooks.
- Appendix 8 Comparative study on who has the best lines offshore.
- Appendix 9 Companion to appendix 8, showing NFL money line pairs from offshore sportbooks.
- Appendix 11 College football money lines.
- Total number of kickoffs in Super Bowl 43. Were there 9 or 10?
- Vegas sports book comparison at WizardOfVegas.com. Who offers what odds on parlays and teasers, as well as rebate percentages.
- NFL proposition bet calculator: The fair line on lots of common props, given the spread the total.
- Sports parlay calculator: To see what an off-the-board parlay pays, that isn't all -110 legs.
- Straight bet calculator: Calculate the house edge of any straight (two outcome) bet.
- Sports futures calculator: Calculate the house edge of a set of futures bets.
Sports Book Reviews
- 18bet
- 1xbet
- 22Bet
- 888sport
- bet-at-home
- Bet365 Sportsbook
- Betfred Sportsbook
- Betiton Sport
- betObet Sports
- BetOnline Sportsbook
- BetOwi
- BetRegal
- Betsson
- BetUS
- Bodog Sportsbook
- BookMaker Sportsbook
- Bovada
- CampeonBet
- CloudBet
- CobraBet
- Everygame Sports
- Gbets
- GTbets
- Horse Racing Betting
- LeoVegas
- Linesmaker - No new players
- LV Bet
- Melbet Sports
- Mr.Play Sports
- MyBookie
- Neobet Sports
- OddsMaker
- Paddy Power Sportsbook
- PointsBet Sports
- Ruby Bet
- Sapphirebet
- Shangri La Live Sportsbook
- Sports Betting Online
- SportsBet
- Sportsbetting
- Sportsbook.ag - No new players
- SuperBoss Sports
- TigerGaming Sports
- Titanbet
- Top Bet
- Unibet Sports
- WagerWeb
- William Hill
Outside Links
- For a simplified explanation of sports betting, please visit my companion site Wizard of Vegas.
- My sports betting advice in Spanish at LasApuestas.mx.