Betting basics and more

By Dan Rodgers

I figured now would be as good a time as any to go over the betting basics for those of you who might be less familiar.

First of all, you've seen me post stuff like: Stl/NYG 6

In simple terms, this means that the St. Louis Rams are playing at the New York Giants and the Giants are favored by six points. The fact that NYG is bold means that is my pick. Traditionally, you will see something like this:

Favorite         Line        Underdog         Total
At Giants        -6             Rams            43.5

This is the way you will see it on FootballLocks.com.

OK, now I'm going to list some of the possible terms that might be included in sports betting and their respective definitions:

• Favorite: The team that is favored to win the game
  
• Underdog: The team projected to lose the game
• Point Spread (aka Line): The number of points that one team is projected to win or lose by, "-" denotes the favorite and "+" denotes the underdog
• Total: The projected points scored in the game, also referred to as the Over/Under
• Moneyline: The odds that the team will win or lose, Ex. -270 or +230
• Odds: The payout; in a sports book: -110 means if you bet $110 you win $100, in the situation that the team is favored (-), you have to bet the odds to payout $100, but in the situation that the team is the underdog (+), you have to bet $100 to payout the odds, Ex. +300 means if you bet $100 you win $300
• Straight Bet: A straight bet is exactly how it sounds, it simply a bet with one item, be it a total, moneyline, point spread, etc.
  
• Parlay: Betting on two or more point spreads, totals, or moneylines in a single bet. Parlay odds are approximately as follows if betting on point spread or totals: 2-team pays 2.6 to 1, 3-team pays 6 to 1, 4-team pays 10 to 1, 5-team pays 25 to 1 and so on and so forth...
• Teaser: Similar to a parlay because you have to have two or more items, but pays out less because you adjust the point spread or total in your favor. Every place is different but you can adjust the line anywhere from 3 to 10 points with half points, Ex. a 6-point teaser would take the Giants from 6-point favorites to zero, so they would only be required to win the game.
  

There are many other options, such as: progressive parlays, if bets, pleasers, and so much more. However, for the sake of understanding, this is already a lot of information and a good place to start.

Let me know if you have any questions, comments or concerns.

*This is simply information; I am in no way endorsing or encouraging gambling, especially through illegal platforms.

I hope all of you enjoyed the final night of the baseball season...I know I did. Playoff time it is; go Yankees!

Rodgers That

NFL Week 3: Steelers suck

By Dan Rodgers

This will be a short post because I really just need to update the Dallas/Washington line.

Dallas has opened at -4, but I've found it interesting that the line has already moved to Dallas -2.5 and I won't pick the game until tomorrow night. The spread is freaking me out and I want to see how the public reacts to everyone betting the Skins this hard. I'll update this post later with my thoughts on the game...if I have any.

UPDATE: I've decided I like the Skins tonight. I've been reading up on some things and I think they will stay competitive enough to cover the four points. Dallas has enough injuries that Washington should be able to at least keep it close. Also, a fun fact is that the road team has covered in six of the previous seven meetings. Make sure you root for Tim Hightower so I can lock it up in fantasy this week.

As for the Pittsburgh Steelers... they can go to hell. They come out firing and they look phenomenal in the first quarter, and then they just suck the rest of the game. I don't understand if an 85-yard bomb to Mike Wallace worked once, it should work again. Also, how do you not change your protection scheme when Freeney and Mathis are feasting on your offensive line? Big Ben is partly at fault, but Tomlin needed to put extra tight ends or something to help block. The Colts get rocked week one by Houston and couldn't keep up with Cleveland, but the Steelers allow them to drive right down the field on them for the tie?

Anyway, the Steelers are overrated and I will not fall for that one again. The Ravens performed as expected. Tennessee didn't cover, but they won so I'm still alive. It was a crazy week because Detroit, Tennessee, Carolina, San Diego and Pittsburgh all played close games and were choices in survivor. Only three of 21 people were eliminated this week: New England (road and divisional), Arizona (road) and a guy who didn't pick.

Next week, an early look-ahead: the only two games I'm even considering are Chicago at home against Carolina and Green Bay at home against Denver.

Be back with more on the MNF game later. CHECK UP TOP.

Rodgers That

NFL Week 3 Picks and more

By Dan Rodgers

I know you're disappointed that I'm not doing a video again this week. However, you should have been happy that last week I was 10-6 ATS and 13-3 SU.

I'm starting to get into a groove and you don't want to fall behind, but before I get too cocky/confident, this week has a ton of close games that could go either way. Fortunately, I feel pretty solid about the games.

SF/Cin 2.5 Weird spread...have to go with Cincy
NE 7/Buf NE SU, wouldn't be surprised by Buffalo
Hou/NO 4 Houston isn't quite ready to battle with the big boys
NYG/Phi 8.5 Division games are tough, Eagles SU
Mia/Cle 2 Miami SU
Den/Ten 7 Will CJ2K ever get going? SURVIVOR PICK (2-0)
Det 3/Min Lions 3-0?
Jax/Car 3 Newton gets his first win
KC/SD 14 Hate this game, Gates is out...SD SU
NYJ 3/Oak Letdown game for Jets...stay away
Bal 4/Stl Ravens rebound strong
Atl/TB 1.5 Matty Ice melts in the Florida sun
Ari 3.5/Sea Seattle SU, 12th man
GB 4/Chi SB Champs
Pit 10.5/Ind Colts suck for Luck

Week 1: 7-9 ATS 10-6 SU
Week 2: 10-6 ATS 13-3 SU - Expect this kind of success throughout the season. I know what I'm doing and it will show. Everyone has rough weeks, but winners come out on top in the end.

OK, this is an interesting week. You have three spreads over a touchdown and six that are three points or less. Usually, I like to take the underdog in massive spreads because it's so difficult to cover. However, in the Steelers case, they showed that they are actually good last week by shutting out Seattle and the Colts are just terrible. So, I feel comfortable with Pittsburgh.

However, for the Eagles and Chargers, both games are against divisional opponents and anything can happen in division games. KC has lost by over 30 points in consecutive weeks, but you can bet your ass they will get up for this one. The Chargers lost to New England last week and you know they wanted that game. They will also be without Antonio Gates.

Remember: Survivor picks are only straight up... I know Tennessee kind of breaks the rule of picking a bad team, but they played well against Baltimore so they should take care of business against a terrible Denver squad. Hopefully, CJ2K will finally get going and look for the Titans defense to force the Broncos to be one-dimensional.

The two spreads I love the most:

Steelers -10.5: The Steelers proved the Ravens game was a fluke and they can still play. Indy is terrible without Peyton: He is to the Colts as LeBron James was to the Cavs...

Ravens -4: This spread is so wrong. Baltimore was terrible last week, so everyone is thinking they aren't that good. Well, they weren't as good as everyone thought after the Steelers game. For some reason, even though the Rams couldn't score touchdowns against the Giants injured defense, people think the Rams can score on the Ravens? No. Ravens by two touchdowns.

Week 3 bold prediction: The NFC North and AFC East will be the only divisions with undefeated teams and both will have two.

Lastly, I only went 3-3-1 in fantasy this past week. Fortunately, two of the losses were in free leagues and the other loss was to the guy who scored the most points last week. And yes, I did tie last week: 126.52-126.52 I couldn't believe it. The only guy I had left was Mike Sims-Walker and I was down 9.2 points. He had 92 receiving yards (not a PPR league). He made a garbage catch but there was holding on the play. I'm experiencing pretty decent success and I'm not 0-2 in any league that matters.

Rodgers That