Sports betting discussion thread

Has anyone else seen this?

NYG +2.5/+150
PIT -2.5/-200

-200 vig? This is rivers Pittsburgh and I assume Sugar House twin site.

Are they trying to take advantage of local Steelers support? Or are the Giants that bad?

The mafia would be embarrassed to charge that kind of juice.

OTOH, is this worth it to take the Giants? I am not so sure as a 50 cent line is an insult.

Quote: AZDuffman

Has anyone else seen this?

NYG +2.5/+150
PIT -2.5/-200

-200 vig? This is rivers Pittsburgh and I assume Sugar House twin site.

Are they trying to take advantage of local Steelers support? Or are the Giants that bad?

The mafia would be embarrassed to charge that kind of juice.

OTOH, is this worth it to take the Giants?

That’s an alternate line. The regular line is Steeers -6 -110. Of course you have to get shorter odds to get the Steelers at -2.5.

Quote: unJon

That’s an alternate line. The regular line is Steeers -6 -110. Of course you have to get shorter odds to get the Steelers at -2.5.

Wondering if there is a programming or input error by the casino? I have seen alternate lines offered, but the "main" line was always normal -110 juice.

Quote: AZDuffman

Wondering if there is a programming or input error by the casino? I have seen alternate lines offered, but the "main" line was always normal -110 juice.

Maybe they got more action than they were expecting on the alternate line and are trying to pimp it to balance the action?

Quote: Mission146

Maybe they got more action than they were expecting on the alternate line and are trying to pimp it to balance the action?

Either that or the -2 1/2 was put out there with the built in window. The -2 1/2 would be popular by design, so much more likely the latter. "Window" wagers almost always have a higher house edge, so it's to a book's advantage to train clients to bet sports like baseball or hockey with windows rather than standard 11/10 vig.

Quote: Mission146

Maybe they got more action than they were expecting on the alternate line and are trying to pimp it to balance the action?

They are just trying to not go to -3 because everybody will bet the other side with the Giants +3. A lot of exposure for the casino.

Quote: DRich

They are just trying to not go to -3 because everybody will bet the other side with the Giants +3. A lot of exposure for the casino.

But the line everywhere is Steelers -6 or 5.5.

Quote: unJon

But the line everywhere is Steelers -6 or 5.5.

Yes, this appears to be an alternate line. If I was to bet the Steelers I would rather lay 2.5 at -150 than lay 6 at -110.

Quote: DRich

Yes, this appears to be an alternate line. If I was to bet the Steelers I would rather lay 2.5 at -150 than lay 6 at -110.

Guys,

It's easy to figure out if something like this is worth it. Just take the -2 1/2 and add the juice you would pay for each additional half point and then see where you stand at the end versus the line in front of you. For the record, I know of only one boutique offshore that does not penalize you for betting onto or off NFL three. I know one other one where they penalize you to buy onto three but not off. Some places it's a -115 onto and off. So bear those potential variations in mind.

So without the penalties, going to

-5 1/2 -- -120
-5 -- -130
-4 1/2 -- -140
-4 -- -150
-3 1/2 -- -160
-3 -- 170
-2 1/2 -- -180

When you add in the penalty for buying onto and off -3, you arrive at -200 most places, -190 several places, and -180 at the one small boutique book.

Now most places won't allow buying that many points, but some do. Most limit it to buying two points or thereabouts.

In conclusion, the -200 for the -2 1/2 is right on the button, pretty much.

Sorry, guys, reverse the chart, but that's right. I'm typing this while on the bubble in an online poker tournament, so forgive me. I fixed it. I cashed -- yay. Dinner money.

Quote: redietz

Either that or the -2 1/2 was put out there with the built in window. The -2 1/2 would be popular by design, so much more likely the latter. "Window" wagers almost always have a higher house edge, so it's to a site advantage to train clients to bet sports like baseball or hockey with windows rather than standard 11/10 vig.

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