I grew up in a small town.  Everyone knew everyone else and no one ever left.  You went to kindergarten and graduated high school with the same group of guys and girls.  A few years after that, fellas would marry a gal that they had gone through puberty with.

I moved away long ago and would occasionally return for the holidays, undoubtedly running into my old friend who were now married to that girl down the street, raising a kid or two (or three).  Now, don’t get me wrong…many of them were very happy, living in what I called a naive bliss.  But it always got me thinking: were these two “meant to be” or did they end up choosing to get married because they had limited options and felt like they had to get married.

I was reminded of this a few nights ago when I was finishing up my Christmas Eve dinner.  One of my oldest friends (and biggest degenerate) texted to wish me a merry Xmas.  After exchanging pleasantries, I saw Apple’s three dots on the screen and I knew exactly what was coming before it showed up: “so do you like anything in this Aloha Bowl?”  I couldn’t help but laugh.  He wanted to bet a no name bowl, with two mediocre teams – BYU vs. Hawaii, playing in Hawaii, with an anybody’s guess spread of 2.5.  If this game was being played any other night of the season, it wouldn’t get a second look…but now, as the only game on the board, he wanted action and he wasn’t alone.  The action on that game equaled the action of a regular season NFL game for one reason only: it was the only game available.

Just like I wanted to tell the guys I grew up with, don’t make a decision based on the absence of other options.  It may or may not come back to bite you, but it’s never an advantage play.  So many people make silly, unnecessary bets over the holidays because of limited action.  Not surprisingly, they dent the bankroll that they worked all year to build.  If you’ve noticed, as the available games reduce, so do the Krackwins plays.  We NEVER give out a play just so that our users have action.

This past week ended up in the black (23-17 / +1.8 units), even though college basketball hit an iceberg midweek.  College hoops started the week well, suffered through an ugly mid week run and finished well to go 7-10 (5-9 sides, 2-1 totals, total -10 units).  The early College bowl season kicked off going 2-1 (+1.8 units).  Hockey cashed in, going 3-1 (+2.4 units).
NFL props went 3-2 (+.6 units) and the NFL teasers went 1-1 (-.18 units).  Our NBA picks continued to be the best in the world, going 7-2. (+7.2 units).

This coming week brings us the big time college bowls and the last week of the NFL regular season.  Talk about a crap shoot, week 17 features games with teams resting players, teams with playoff seeding to play for, teams with draft position on their mind, and teams with players who have booked their flights to Mexico.  College basketball players come back from the break to start the conference season and the NBA moves towards its half way point.  There will be loads of opportunities to start 2020 off in the black, as we lock up another very profitable year.  Just stick to the plan, don’t chase holiday action, and get ready for an awesome 2020.

I want to wish each of you happy holidays and an excellent New Year.  And thanks to the many of you that reached out with your holiday good wishes.  I read and appreciate each of your notes.