| Opening Lines The Koss of Sportsbookgods.com |
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| It’s coming. February 3rd. Oh yeah boys and girls, the biggest event of the year. Forget about primaries or elections. Are we talking about whether there's any action on Hillary taking out Obama by 3 states? Or that the donkey rolls over the elephant in the 6th round by a TKO? Hell no, we are talking opening lines for the Super Bowl. You think Jenna Jamison got action in her prime? She has nothing on this day. This day, more often than not, can determine the bottom line for a sports book for the year. Nine of ten people who bet the Super Bowl are amateur bettors. Getting into all the office pools, rushing to Vegas to take in the game and bet the favorite (the percentage of amateur betters that take the favorite is close to 60%). In 2006 $94.5 million was bet on the Steelers/Seahawks Super Bowl in the books in Vegas. $8.8 million (9.3%) was taken in as a profit. That’s a huge hit from the year before when the Vegas books took in $15.4 million, or 17%, for the Eagles/Patriots showdown. That amount of bankroll is even enough for me to take a Mexican getaway with Jessica Simpson. Any of us can play QB as well as Romo; dude only had three games of his 17 without a pick. Hey, Jessica: how about that five-pick game against Buffalo? Oops, that was when he was knockin’ it out with Carrie Underwood. My bad. Still, six picks over his last four games? I can do that too; could maybe even throw seven picks. It’s a lofty goal but hey, why not challenge myself? Just need that Vegas bankroll and she’s mine. Oh, that’s right: forgot to introduce myself. Who am I? I am one of the guys that are along for this phenomenon known as ScrubSports. Just an admirer of the work that this team has done since its inception. I am one of the Sportsbook Gods. For close to 17 years I have played the books, ponies, cards, dice, dogs, the stupid ball that goes in a circle and lands on a number (yes kids, that’s roulette), keno, war… if you can make a bet on it, we’ll be the first in line. Plenty of time to learn about me later. Okay, back to our story: the Patriots and the Giants. We know you all think the Pats are going to win. However, the more important question is: “who is going to cover?” I ask myself that question about 852 times a day. Here is the opening line: Patriots are favored to win this game by 14 points. What that actually means is you have all of these little men in a room in Vegas that get together and throw out a number that will get equal bets on both teams. When they do that, Vegas wins and they get the fattest of fat bonuses. There are still some great questions that linger in this chaotic realm though; for instance, knowing the easiest bet to make and win. Actually the best bet is the most educated bet you make. Bet just one line, just one team, to start out with. Make it a team that you know a lot about but aren’t a fan of or hate all that much either. Think about that seriously: a bet you are educated on, from trusted information. Don’t listen to your brother’s friend’s uncle who has a friend who waters Tom Brady’s lawn because I guarantee he is going to be pulling for Mr. GQ himself. The biggest rule in all of this madness is to do everything you can to avoid betting “your team.” What will happen is this: you bet them and let’s say they win. That’s great! You’ll cheer, open a beer (or seven) and feel good. But wait a second: let’s also say they didn’t cover that win. Your thoughts will turn to “good win, guys, but damn, couldn’t you have hit one more three?” Even worse, what if they lose but cover? All of a sudden, that becomes acceptable. If you want to stay a fan, don’t bet your team. Really it comes back to who do you think is going to cover. Unfortunately, there isn’t a secret recipe. The easiest bet is betting one game, one team, one over/under (more on that next time) at a time, especially if you are just starting out. Stick with what you know, don’t just take a shot. Do some research. You wouldn’t buy a car without looking at the engine first, would you? I can’t tell you the difference between fuel injection and collagen injection, but we can coach you through this. 60% to 65% of my picks are winners and in forthcoming articles I can offer you advice and educate you so you can start picking winners too. Trust the professionals. Trust the Gods. The Koss ScrubsSports.com Sportsbookgods.com |
| (above) Is that some kind of cactus, or do they grow ganj out in the sand? Whatever it is, they'd better keep Randy Moss away from it. (below) Three scenes from the Sportsbookgods' heaven. |
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