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OT: Got that betting itch again

Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 11:21 pm
by ReasonablySober
I looked up that monster betting thread but couldn't find it. I thought I'd start up a new one after getting back into it tonight for the first time in probably a year or so.

My biggest rule is no NBA gambling. So of course I'm breaking it.

Just three small bets for the hell of it.

Boston at (-4.5) Houston
Golden State at Sacramento (Over/Under) Under +229.0
Miami at Milwaukee (Over/Under) Over +202.5

Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 11:29 pm
by jeremyd236
Boston will not beat Houston.

Where do you go to place your bets?

Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 11:31 pm
by ReasonablySober
Sports Interaction.

Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 11:56 pm
by Mags FTW
NBA betting is fine, but only in the playoffs.

Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 11:59 pm
by rilamann
I made a fortune betting on NFL pre-season games last August.





:lol:

Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 12:05 am
by Thunder Muscle
I used to have that thread as a favorite, but I see I deleted. I got rid of most of my sports betting sites. I used Bookmaker.com last fall b/c it took my credit card. I get the itch yet, but know better to stay away.

Good luck!

Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 12:08 am
by El Duderino
I used to be a gambling fiend, but never liked betting on the NBA. I would do test runs picking games as if i was betting on them and didn't like the results.

Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 12:12 am
by jeremyd236
I'm 18 and don't really know much about betting, but I'd like to.

My main question is how do you treat your winnings (or losses) regarding income tax?

Second, what is the best way to bet on a basketball game? Over/under, etc.

Like for the Wisconsin game, for instance, I see that the Badgers are an 11.5 point favorite. To me, that seems like easy money. I think they'll blow them out, definitely more than 12 points.

Is this right? Or do I not know what I'm thinking here?

Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 12:20 am
by Thunder Muscle
jeremyd236 wrote:I'm 18 and don't really know much about betting, but I'd like to.

My main question is how do you treat your winnings (or losses) regarding income tax?

Second, what is the best way to bet on a basketball game? Over/under, etc.

Like for the Wisconsin game, for instance, I see that the Badgers are an 11.5 point favorite. To me, that seems like easy money. I think they'll blow them out, definitely more than 12 points.

Is this right? Or do I not know what I'm thinking here?


I think you're supposed to report your winnings. Obviously not everybody does. I don't know the exact protocol. I definitely lost more than I won and didn't report anything. I bet for about 2 years, mainly 2005 & 2006, probably lost $2,000. I had poor money management strategy. Overall I think I was probably over .500 in my picks, but I'd win 5 $10 bets and piss it away with 1 $100 bet that I'd lose. Teasers and parlays were a bad option too.

If you think something seems like easy money, double think it. Vegas makes money for a reason.

Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 12:22 am
by jeremyd236
Well I know that you're "supposed" to report your earnings and losses, but I was just wondering what everyone generally does. Do people do this or not?

I'd hate to start betting on games and get in trouble real fast.

But if I'm reading this correctly and Wisconsin is just an 11.5 point favorite, isn't that a great game to bet on?

Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 12:28 am
by Tug0bwerdna
jeremyd236 wrote:Boston will not beat Houston.

Where do you go to place your bets?


Houston is way better

Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 12:30 am
by Mags FTW
If you think UW is going to win by at least 12, yeah.

But don't forget to factor in:
-UW's slow pace, which does't lend itself to blowouts.
-garbage time
-CSF has an extra day of rest

Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 12:34 am
by Thunder Muscle
Most betting places don't accept US players anyway after that bill they passed a few years back. I don't think alot of people worry about reporting. For the most part they're going to go after the big time players, not small recreational ones like you or I. That's just my take on it. I'd be curious to hear other people's take as well.

I would never take Wisconsin when they're giving up double digits.

Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 4:34 am
by ReasonablySober
Won the Bucks game, lost on the Celts/Rox, and the GS/Sac game is going to come down to meanlingless crap at the end...

EDIT: Hey! Two outta three ain't bad kids :)

I was gametracking the final minutes of the last game. Pretty exciting and won my bet by two points when Pietrus missed a three on their final possession.

Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 5:01 am
by DH34Phan
jeremyd236 wrote:But if I'm reading this correctly and Wisconsin is just an 11.5 point favorite, isn't that a great game to bet on?

There is no such thing as a sure Sports bet. Vegas is ridiculous when it comes to setting lines. I wouldn't be surprised to see Wisconsin winning by 11 or 12 points, with Vegas getting equal action.

Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 5:03 am
by DH34Phan
I like Belmont +20 against Duke.

I like Purdue -3 vs. Baylor.

I like West Virginia -2 against Arizona.

Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 2:24 pm
by ReasonablySober
DH34Phan wrote:-= original quote snipped =-


There is no such thing as a sure Sports bet. Vegas is ridiculous when it comes to setting lines. I wouldn't be surprised to see Wisconsin winning by 11 or 12 points, with Vegas getting equal action.


Truer words have never been spoken. Hell, look at Milwaukee and Miami tonight. You would think that the Bucks, a solid team at home and playing against the worst team in the NBA would be an easy bet. Not only don't they cover but they lose the game outright. It's why NBA betting is so dangerous. If I wasn't betting more than a few Bucks each game I'd stay completely away.

Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 2:50 pm
by MickeyDavis
The sports books do a great job setting lines, getting equal action on both sides. With the normal juice you have to win about 57% of the time to come out ahead.

Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 3:03 pm
by Thunder Muscle
DH34Phan wrote:-= original quote snipped =-


There is no such thing as a sure Sports bet.


This should be lesson #1 in sports betting, or at least top 5.

Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 3:34 pm
by livestrong4ever
Mags FTW wrote:If you think UW is going to win by at least 12, yeah.

But don't forget to factor in:
-UW's slow pace, which does't lend itself to blowouts.
-garbage time
-CSF has an extra day of rest


its csf though come on. I mean its going to be close to 12. But I think it will be more along the lines of 15. Because I think wisconsins defense style of play is going to shut them down.