Jax won by 2 today. In a lot of sportsbooks the line was Jax -2. My question is why would they ever set lines to an exact number? If there's a push the book gets nothing. I know they set the lines to attract equal action on both sides, but doesn't it make more sense to always keep it as a 1/2 so they never get a push and refunds on both sides?

Edit: damnit.. they got deleted

A push is a book's shining moment. They get 10% of all the action in both directions with zero payouts back to the bettors. Vegas wishes every game pushed, tho rarely the case. Huge +EV for the sports book.


This game in question was a great middle game, and it hit. Depending on what day and what sports book you were stalking for line movement, you could've found a 2.5 middle in this game - and it hit.

I know sports bettors that do this for a living - all they do is middle hunt. It's a hard way to make money but like anything else, big ri$k = big reward$.

stu ungar was the master of doing this

If you bet $110 to win $100 and push, you get a full refund of $110. Online atleast, I don't ever remember pushing in Vegas though. You're saying you only get $100 back in Vegas?

Yes. Action was taken so you have to pay the vig.

If your online sportsbook offers a full refund, that's a sweet deal. I was unaware, until you brought it up, anyone, anywhere would offer this. This must be some new catchy interweb incentive, I guess .:puzzled:. In the 30+ years I've been betting football have I ever seen this happen.

Really? Because I always thought it was his addiction to sports gambling and making bad bets that led to his downfall (along with drugs).

If that's the case why wouldn't all lines be exact numbers?

The NFL is rigged obviously. Roger Goodell is really Lee Jones in disguise.

Oddsmakers adjust the line to even the action out. Their daily goal to have a 50/50 balance bet on both teams. They're in it for the 10% surety, not to get wiped out by a 70/30 overload on a certain team. If moving that line by a half point starts to balance out the overload then mission accomplished. They'll work it in either direction until they're happy with as close to 50/50 as they can get it.

In some cases, and this happens from time to time, a sportsbook will bet at another casino/sportsbook/whale with their overload to minimize their risk. They don't want to bet on sports itself, they only want to keep their vig for being your 'agent'.

Pushes are so rare, it's not part of the equated plan. Starting lines are just math equations with several intangibles thrown in for the sake of drumming up business at the opening bell. It doesn't take long for them to know if they messed up a line, the bettors will tell them in dollars.

It's such a science today, opening lines are rarely off the mark.

listen to jelly-filled. Also, I am one of the lucky people who bet on Pittsburgh getting 2.5 points. So go me! Also nailed the money-line on the Giants. Blew the skins game tho....


anyone want to bet on next weekend's games?

I like the Giants (+ 7.5)

I like the Jags (+13)

I like the Seahawks (+8)

I like the Colts (-8)

Wow i'm surpsied the giants are that big of a dog, the seahawks as well..

i put 100 on giants to cover immediately upon seeing that line.

I feel like vegas whiffed on that one....of course probably means I am dead looool.

I guess because Dallas beat them twice by over 10 in the RS?

If Dallas plays like Dallas then yes they should cover that, but as of recently Dallas hasn't been playing well..

and TO is very questionable. Dallas hasnt played a good game in a month and NYG looked fantastic two straight weeks. Just my thinking, who knows.


below is the official lines:


NFL Lines Divisional Playoffs - NFL Football Line Divisional Playoff Games - NFL Playoff Game Lines 1/12 - 1/13, 2008

Date & Time Favorite Line Underdog Total
1/12 4:30 ET At Green Bay -8 Seattle 41.5
1/12 8:00 ET At New England -13 Jacksonville 49
1/13 1:00 ET At Indianapolis -8.5 San Diego 46.5
1/13 4:30 ET At Dallas -7.5 NY Giants 47


Pinnacle has Dallas at -9. WOW!!! gonna put some money on there as well I think.....

I definetely think the Colts will cover that 8.5, excluding their last game, they have look exceptional lately.. Pats game is iffy, I wouldn't touch it, but I'd def. take the points on Seattle-Greenbay

early weather report from Boston for next Saturday night is chilly, but really not bad at all. good news for pats.