Many people are surprised when they learn how little time I spend in front of a television watching a game.  First of all, I don’t have the time.  During basketball season, when there are so many games on the board, my time is spent in front of a computer screen watching lines and moves at various books.  Once a bet is in, 9 out of 10 times, all I know is whether it won or lost when I check my account at the end of the day.

That’s not to say I don’t love sports.  I do.  They are my lifeblood.  I’m just not what you would call a “fanatic”.  I have a few teams I root for of course.  Some of my fondest memories with my pops were spent watching or listening to Yankees games growing up.  During the summer, I will relax and watch major tournament golf.  I will usually watch Championship games in college football, the NFL playoff games, and, of course, the Super Bowl.

Beyond time constraints, not watching games is good for my health.  I have so much daily action that seeing how a game may have barely won or lost at the end is stress that I do not need.  The line-makers, as much as I want to beat them, know what they are doing.  There are plenty of times when a winning or losing bet comes down to the last few minutes if not seconds.  Just give me the bottom line – did the bet cash or not.

Results-Only Sports Betting

My team or my friends frequently will tell me about a bad beat.  They make for good stories.  But at the end of the day, it does not change the outcome, and I am in a results-only business.

This past weekend, I was told that our 6-6 Saturday was littered with games one would call a bad bet.  The Dallas vs. Orlando 1H total (played over) of 106.5 was 106 with 2 minutes left in the half…and landed on 106.  Utah (+3) was beating Oregon the entire game and ended up losing by 6.  West Virginia (Money Line) was up the entire game, missed two free throws with a second left, and then Texas hit a 3-pointer to win the game (and sink the bet).  The Colts-Bills 1H total Over lost after Indy chose not to kick the field goal on fourth and goal.  Jonathan Taylor rushing yards went over on his last carry.  All of a sudden 12-0 became 6-6.

Things like this happen every week over and over.  They can drive you crazy if you let it, so I choose blissful ignorance.

Sports Betting News and Picks Recap

Let’s dive into my sports betting picks recap for the week.  With those unlucky bounces, we still managed to break even for the day and the week.  Overall, we went 21-19-1 (even).  NCABB went 8-6 (+1.2 units), NBA went 4-5 (-1.2 units), and the NFL went 9-8 (even).  Our first NFL side of the year, the Rams +3.5, was an easy winner. 

While football is winding down, college basketball and the NBA are in full swing and we welcome two new sports to the mix.  The PGA golf season is upon us.  As our loyal members know, golf matchups always are very profitable.  In addition, the NHL season started this week.  While we do not play a ton of NHL, you will see advantage plays sprinkled in throughout the season.

I will be glued, or at least scotch taped, to the tube this weekend for the Divisional Round in the NFL.  The old guard of first ballot Hall of Famers – Rodgers, Brees, and Brady – highlight the NFC, while the young gun superstars – Allen, Jackson and Mahomes – fill out the AFC side.  It should be a great weekend of football, so enjoy it.