BetOnline's Blog
Posted Tuesday, December 30, 2008 11:03 AM
For any NHL betting fan growing up in a cold climate, hockey was always associated with the icy outdoors. Maybe you played with your buddies on a pond; maybe your dad used a hose to build your own backyard rink; maybe you just played ball hockey and enjoyed checking your little brother face-first into a dirty snowbank. The bottom line is that hockey was born outdoors and, in a lot of ways, meant to be played outdoors.
So why the hell did it take the NHL so long to send its players back outside?
Well, online sports betting fans and winter fans alike have plenty to be excited about, as the Chicago Blackhawks host the Detroit Red Wings at Wrigley Field on New Year’s Day in the NHL Winter Classic. While asking to see guys get decked into the ivy of the Friendly confines is too much to ask, I’m not complaining – two original six teams, both of whom are dominant, clash outside in Chi-Town’s windy conditions.
Before I tell you which team is the best choice for those who bet online, let’s look at the (short) history of the NHL Winter Classic. Maybe we’ll find some u... [More]
Posted Monday, December 29, 2008 04:24 PM
Point guard is one of the most difficult positions to
play in basketball, and the college game has proven to be plentiful in the last
few seasons, from Chris Paul and Deron Williams to Derrick Rose and O.J. Mayo
leading this year’s crop of rookies. Here is a look at the five point guards
you could be seeing cross the stage for the 2009 NBA Draft. It’s no surprise
that some of the NBA teams with the best hoops
betting chances.
Stephen
Curry, Davidson
The sharp-shooting junior guard has added “distributor”
to his skill set, as he continues to pour in the points (30.0), along with 6.7
assists. Curry’s size of 6’3” (and that’s generous) calls for him to change his
game to get to the NBA, and he already has one of the quickest releases you’ll
ever hope to see. Davidson has solid NCAA basketball odds
of +6000 to win the title, and Curry will be the man to steer them.
Ty
Lawson, North Carolina
The junior is probably the most pro-ready “pass-first”
point guard in the country, and there aren’t many people better in the open
court than Lawson, who directs the nation’s best team. Lawson almost went pro
last year, but decided to come back for a national title, and probably a
consistent jump shot. He is very similar to Charlotte’s Ra... [More]
Posted Tuesday, December 23, 2008 03:28 PM
North Carolina State
vs Rutgers odds: Rutgers -7
Online betting: Rutgers
-7
Two of the hottest teams in the country meet up in a contest
that should be fairly entertaining. NC State, led by freshman sensation
quarterback Russell Wilson, made a late season run to qualify for a bowl game.
Rutgers, who started 1-5, finished the season with six straight wins and head
into this contest on fire. NC State is still a little raw so look for some
nerves to show in Wilson’s first bowl game.
Northwestern vs
Missouri odds: Missouri -12.5
Online betting: Missouri
-12.5
If this matchup was in the regular season, it would be a
complete and utter mismatch. But in the postseason, who knows. Missouri was
hoping to be part of the BCS party but now is playing in a mediocre and
meaningless bowl. They are a huge favorite against a team that’s more tricky than
good. On talent alone, the Tigers should cover this spread and even though
their focus might be elsewhere, it’s still hard to take the Wildcats in this
situation.
Western Michigan vs
Rice odds: Rice -2.5
Online betting: Rice
-2.5
If you like points, this is your cup of tea. The Rice Owls
have been lighting up the scoreboard with Chase Clement running the show at
... [More]
Posted Tuesday, December 23, 2008 09:49 AM
TCU vs Boise State
odds: TCU -3
Online betting: TCU
-3
TCU and Boise State meet up in one of the sexiest bowl game
matchups on the schedule. Both teams have stellar defenses and both have just
enough offense to make this an entertaining contest. TCU has gone through the
tougher schedule and has the better defense so roll with the Horned Frogs in
this contest.
Notre Dame vs Hawaii
odds: Notre Dame -1.5
Online betting: Hawaii +1.5
Notre Dame really struggled down the stretch of their season
and there was plenty of debate as to whether head coach Charlie Weis should
even keep his job. Now the Fighting Irish have to travel off the mainland to a
place where most people would rather vacation, than focus. The Warriors have
played well down the stretch of the season and nearly toppled a BCS-bound
Cincinnati team when they came to visit. If Notre Dame isn’t focused, this
could be an easy win for Hawaii.
Florida Atlantic vs
Central Michigan odds: Central Michigan -6
Online betting: Central
Michigan -6
Florida Atlantic has had a disastrous season considering their
expectations heading into this year. They were expecting to win the Sun Belt
conference against and potentially upset a quality team (at one point they
taunted the... [More]
Posted Thursday, December 18, 2008 02:24 PM
UFC 92 betting is heating
up, with the exciting card just over a week away. The event features some of
the most anticipated clashes in the history of MMA betting, including
Forrest Griffin/Rashad Evans, Frank Mir/Antonio Rodriguo “Minotauro” Nogueira
and Wanderlei Silva/Quinton “Rampage” Jackson. The matchups look extremely even
on paper, creating some exciting UFC 92 odds.
But equally important to the buzz is the fact that UFC 92 showcases some of
MMA’s most terrifying fighters.
What makes for a truly
terrifying fighter? Well, in theory, every
professional MMA fighter could make UFC betting fans soil themselves.
But who would really make you cry and beg for mercy if he was chasing you down
an alley at breakneck speed?
Sure, BJ Penn could make
your life hell in the ring. But the thought of the laid back Hawaiian hunting
you down isn’t that scary by MMA
standards. How would you feel if Fedor Emelianenko was tearing down a staircase
toward you…after you poked him in the junk with a cattle prod? Let’s look at
UFC’s top five most ... [More]
Posted Thursday, December 18, 2008 01:32 PM
Eagle Bank Bowl - Wake
Forest vs Navy
Online Betting: Wake
Forest -2.5
- The odds are much closer this time around in a rematch of
a regular season game where Navy won outright as a 17-point favorite. Navy has
been efficient but Wake is more trustworthy. They play much better as a small
favorite or underdog opposed to laying huge spreads.
Pick: Wake Forest
-2.5
New Mexico Bowl -
Colorado State vs Fresno State
Online Betting:
Fresno State -2.5
- Prior to the season, Fresno State was expecting to be
invited to a BCS party. Clearly, they fell way short of their expectations. But
for Colorado State, making a bowl game is an achievement in Steve Fairchild’s
first season. Although Fresno State is more talented, Colorado State should be
more motivated to get this win.
Pick: Colorado State
+2.5
MagicJack St.
Petersburg Bowl - Memphis vs South Florida
Online Betting: South
Florida -12.5
- Memphis might be one of the worst teams participating in
the bowl season but they are playing one of the most inconsistent teams. South
Florida, if they are focused, should crush Memphis and cover the spread. They
will have the home crowd and are the superior team. But if they don’t care
about this game, Memphis will... [More]
Posted Thursday, December 18, 2008 12:04 PM
Any NBA championship winner will tell you that having a
good point guard is essential to their NBA betting
chances, and there is no shortage of great ones in the league right now. Here
is a look at the top five steering their teams in the NBA right now, and their hoops betting odds to come away with
the Larry O’Brien trophy at the end of the season. Also, a special to mention
to “combo guards” like Miami’s Dwayne Wade and Portland’s Brandon Roy, who fill
both positions but aren’t “pure” point guards.
Chris
Paul, New Orleans
The 2006 Rookie of the Year after leaving Wake Forest
early, Paul instantly transformed the Hornets from jokes to a legitimate title
contender in his three pro years. Paul currently leads the league in assists
(12.1) and steals (2.7), in addition to 19.9 points, and he has made an
All-Star out of David West. The Hornets have NBA betting odds of
+2000 to win the championship, and if they make it out of the tough West, Paul
will take most of the credit.
Chauncey
Billups, Denver
One look at the records shows how valuable the veteran
Billups is to a club: Detroit, since trading him to Denver, is 11-9. The
Nuggets are 16-4 and are finally lookin... [More]
Posted Friday, December 12, 2008 10:29 AM
So now that Manny Pacquiao has toppled the no-longer Golden
Boy Oscar De La Hoya, two things come to mind to online sports betting fans: will Oscar
finally retire and will we get our real dream match and see Manny Pacquiao
fight Floyd Mayweather?
At this point, nobody cares about De La Hoya anymore so
let’s focus on the potential matchup between two of the best pound-for-pound
fighters in the world.
Mayweather had been the best pound-for-pound boxer in the
world but Pacquiao has been making an impressive case of late. Pacquiao jumped
up two weight classes and didn’t lose much speed in his fight against the
bigger, stronger De La Hoya. Furthermore, sportsbook bettors
observed as Pacquiao destroyed De La Hoya, beat him to the punch and eventually
earned a technical knockout when De La Hoya couldn’t make it back out for round
nine. De La Hoya was a -250 favorite on the fight and Pacquiao paid out 9-to-1
for the knockout.
Money May presents a very intriguing matchup the many online sports betting handicappers are
already clamoring about. Both of these fighters are the best in our generation
and while Pacquiao has been impressive, nobody has been better than Pretty Boy
Floyd’s 39-0.
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Posted Thursday, December 11, 2008 03:34 PM
The NBA has
not been easy on its coaches so far this season, as four men have already
received their pink slips after awful-to-average starts: Sam Mitchell
(Toronto), Randy Wittman (Minnesota), Eddie Jordan (Washington), and P.J. Carlesimo
(Oklahoma City). But here are the top five coaches that have nothing to worry
about, at this year. To no one’s surprise, all of these coaches manage teams
with great NBA
betting odds, and online
sports betting players will like to know that three of these coaches have
combined to win eight of the last ten NBA championships.
Phil Jackson, Los Angeles
No coaching
discussion can be held without mentioning the “Zen Master”, who is going for
his tenth ring as a head man (he also won two as a player). Jackson has steered
the Lakers, who are one of the top NBA betting
favorites for the title after winning 18 of their first 21 games, through some
off-court troubles (Lamar Odom as a sixth man, Andrew Bynum wanting more time).
But as long as he has reigning MVP Kobe Bryant backing him up, much like
Michael Jordan did in Chicago, Jackson will have the Lakers in serious
contention for the NBA championship.
Gregg Popovich, San Antonio
[More]
Posted Thursday, December 11, 2008 01:46 PM
When NHL betting fans turn
on a hockey game today, they’d swear they were watching “old-time hockey” from
the 1970s. Players are dropping the gloves at a rapid rate – 25 per cent more
often than last year – calling to mind the glory days of “Mad” Mike Milbury beating a fan with his own
shoe. While we may never see that level of carnage again (sigh), goons are
definitely making a big comeback in the NHL. Anyone who tracks NHL lines
should take note, as big fights can alter the tone of a game and sometimes send
star players to the dressing room.
Naturally, the fighting
renaissance calls to mind the question: who’s the best of the best today? I’m
not talking about power forwards like Jarome Iginla, punishing hitters like Dion
Phaneuf or even world-class agitators like Sean Avery. I’m talking about true
goons, enforcers who drop their gloves almost every night and protect their
teammates. Who strikes fear into the hearts of his opponents like nobody else?
Behold, the top five
goons in the NHL today.
5. Derek Boogaar... [More]
Posted Friday, December 05, 2008 02:00 PM
There is perhaps
no sport on planet earth that induces more anger, violence and testosterone
(not necessarily in that order) than ice hockey - and we’re not even talking
about what comes from those who bet on NFL. Sean
Avery’s latest off-ice tirade has brewed up heated conversation about what is
crossing the line, and has the league itching to throw the book at him, as well
as many peeved sportsbook
fans who rely on the Dallas Stars. But how fair would that be? Fans of the NHL
seem to have a short memory when it comes to horrific on-ice incidents,
especially when they involve loveable players. However, when an agitator like
Avery makes a crass statement, the hockey world gets up in arms, and the NHL betting lines
suffer for it.
Just to remind
all of those calling for Avery’s head this week, here are five incidents that
are significantly worse than “sloppy seconds,” but were not punished
accordingly.
5. Gary Suter on Paul Kariya
In a February 1
game between the Chicago Blackhawks and Anaheim Ducks, the fate of Team Canada
at the Nagano Olympics may have been decided, much to the chagrin of ... [More]
Posted Friday, December 05, 2008 09:55 AM
Has it really been three years since the last World Baseball
Classic? As we approach the second-ever World Baseball Classic
odds, it is never too soon to start examining the power players. Keep in
mind that after this WBC, they will only come once every four years. Here’s the
four major players in the upcoming 2009 WBC:
United States +150
The Yankees underachieved in the 2006 World Baseball Classic
and you can be assured that they will make some concerted effort to right the
ship. They boasted a fairly talented roster but neglected starting pitching,
which was eventually the difference. As far as World Baseball Classics
lines go, look for the U.S. team to be a real underdog heading into the
2009 tournament – they might be worth a bet to win it all if the price is
right.
Dominican Republic
+175
Go ahead, argue with a team that has Albert Pujols, Alfonso
Soriano, Jose Reyes and David Ortiz. The sportsbooks
certainly won’t be debating it. Interestingly enough, this team doesn’t have as
much starting pitching as you might think and if the US team brings some good
starters, they should be able to beat this team. Bartolo Colon and Fran... [More]
Posted Thursday, December 04, 2008 02:00 PM
Having veterans on your team is sure to boost their NBA betting
chances, but there are some in the league still playing off past successes,
while a couple players have flourished, and one is even mounting a solid
comeback. The players on this list all have at least ten years of NBA
experience. Three Phoenix players make this list, and hoops betting players should take this
into account when making their sportsbook picks.
Shaquille
O’Neal, Phoenix (LSU, 1992)
Four NBA titles, three Finals MVPs, one regular MVP (a
travesty, but that’s another article) and thousands of quotes, Shaq has been
one of the dominant forces in the league since he was drafted out of LSU back
in ’92. However, the Suns seem to be building their new style of offense around
him, and not Amare Stoudamire, which will surely hurt their hoops betting chances. Shaq is still
serviceable, but the end is very near for the “Big Aristotle”.
Steve
Nash, Phoenix (Santa Clara, 1996)
No one though Nash would be as productive as he’s been
since leaving Santa Clara (where?), but 13 years later, the Canadian is still
going strong. However, he is also struggling in the... [More]