BetOnline's Blog
Posted Thursday, February 26, 2009 03:35 PM
The World
Baseball Classic odds are official now as final rosters have been
announced. One thing that’s missing, and it’s not all that important – really,
it’s not – is superstars. The World Baseball Classic has a roster full of
fairly good players, but not necessarily the stars that everyone wants to see.
For example, the American team’s starting rotation is
highlighted by Roy Oswalt and Jake Peavy, which is good, but it’s not C.C.
Sabathia and Cole Hamels. After those two starters for the US, they are
followed up by Ted Lilly and Jeremy Guthrie.
For the fans who want to back Canada on the WBC
odds, they might want to reconsider now the Erik Bedard, Jeff Francis, Ryan
Dempster and Rich Harden are not playing. Canada, who had a puncher’s chance
before hand, now will be very shorthanded.
When doing your baseball
classic betting, just keep in mind that many stars won’t be there. There is
more research to do. The U.S. team looks particularly thin not because of the
roster they have fielded but because of the roster they could have fielded. Without
Sabathia, Hamels, Roy Halladay, Mark ... [More]
Posted Thursday, February 26, 2009 01:56 PM
Most of the March
Madness betting talk so far this season has surrounded the Big East and ACC,
but online sports betting players
shouldn’t forget that the reigning national champions, Kansas, come from the
Big 12. The Big 12 has a number of Tournament-caliber teams, and at least one
that is a sportsbook
favorite for the Final Four.
Oklahoma
The Sooners have NCAA
basketball odds of +800 to win the national championship, and that rests
squarely on the shoulders of junior forward Blake Griffin, who most experts
think will go No.1 in the draft if he declares. However, a late-season
concussion sidelined Griffin, and the Sooners lost crucial games to Texas and
Kansas. Outside of freshman guard Willie Warren and junior guard Tony Crocker,
there isn’t much scoring on the Sooners. Losing Griffin’s 20-10 threat would be
a huge blow to Oklahoma.
Missouri
The Tigers are a lock to reach the NCAA Tournament for
the first time since 2003, but they are college
basketball betting underdogs at +3000 to win it all. Missouri loves to run,
scoring over 82 points a game, and they are also decent defensively. Senior
forward... [More]
Posted Thursday, February 26, 2009 11:57 AM
Seems the UFC pumps out a new hot online sports betting event every week,
doesn’t it? Hey, I’m not complaining. The fighters get better with every card
and we’re seeing spectacular knockouts – the kind that make you and your
buddies yell “ohhhh!” --- more often than not.
UFC 96
betting features a few veteran fighters looking for redemption and some
up-and-comers trying to make names for themselves. As always, there’s a least
one sneaky sportsbook
pick that could turn MMA betting fans into big winners come Saturday, March 7.
Quinton
“Rampage” Jackson (29-7) vs. Keith “The Dean of Mean” Jardine (14-5-1)
Does Keith Jardine have any real fans out there
who aren’t related to him? For a “striker,” who uses many kick-oriented
attacks, he sure doesn’t finish fights very often; just six of his 14 wins came
via knockout. And what’s with the disgusting soul patch dangling from his chin?
Most MMA betting fans want to see Jardine’s opponents beat the facial hair off
his face, and the Jackson vs Jardine
line is no exception.
Based on J... [More]
Posted Thursday, February 19, 2009 02:42 PM
There are a few things better than betting on the Stanley Cup Finals, like having sex, but right now let’s focus on what’s in front of us…unless you have a naked girl on your lap right now. That’s beside the point, though.
Just like sex, you have to be prepared for Stanley Cup betting before you dive right in. Often times a bettor will just bet on the first Stanley Cup odds that he sees, but a smart person would be a little more selective.
Here’s a brief checklist you should follow:
1. Shop Around
Before you find a sexy sportsbook to insert your money into - if you get what I’m saying - think about which places offers you the most bang for your buck. If you’re gonna give the girl some money, you want to make sure you are getting the right return on investment.
Some sportsbook odds just post up simple game lines for the Stanley Cup finals, and they don’t offer props or exotic bets. Furthermore, their lines have high juice and just rip you off when you consider that another sportsbook can offer lines at a better price.
So, shop around. Make ... [More]
Posted Thursday, February 19, 2009 02:40 PM
March Madness betting is all the rage nowadays, and online betting players should pay specific attention to the always-dangerous ACC, which could have seven teams in the Tournament come March. Here is a close look at a few of those teams that will be a factor when considering your offshore sportsbook odds, led by the March Madness betting favorite, North Carolina.
North Carolina
Many thought the Tar Heels were in trouble after losing their first two conferences games, but talent and hard work prevails, and North Carolina are still the March Madness betting favorite at -150. The Tar Heels are romping through the ACC, and they lead the nation in scoring margin, and are second in points scored. Reigning Player of the Year Tyler Hansbrough has been his usual efficient self after coming back for his senior year, while junior Ty Lawson is arguably the best point guard in the country. Two knocks on the Tar Heels is a lack of depth, with some key injuries hurting the bench, and their defense is inconsistent. Still, North Carolina fans should prepare for a deep run into March, and possibly April for the championship game.
Duke
The Blue Devils are still a solid college basketball betting pick with odds of +1000, but a late-season slide threatens their mom... [More]
Posted Thursday, February 19, 2009 11:26 AM
The UFC 95 odds
are just two days away. Are we pumped for UFC 95
betting? Of course. But are we also looking past it a little bit? Maybe.
Not to take away from the Sanchez vs
Stevenson line but, let’s face it, the card isn’t bursting with MMA
legends.
If you’re a UFC betting fan, you know how well
Dana White and company work the hype machine. Aren’t you therefore pretty damn
curious about what’s in store for UFC 100? White already blew the roof off with
UFC 91, 92 and 94. How will he top them for the centennial celebration? We’d
suppose he could bring in lasers and fireworks or execute Mike Goldberg on air.
But my gut tells me White will go the nobler route and simply build the
greatest single fight card online betting fans have ever seen.
Here are a handful of fights I’d like to bet on at
the sportsbook
come UFC 100. Keep in mind that anyone fighting in upcoming events may be hard
pressed to be ready for this one (hence the absence of Anderson Silva from this
fantasy fight card).
Brock
Lesnar vs Frank Mir (heavyweight championship)
...
[More]
Posted Thursday, February 12, 2009 02:05 PM
Step inside the 2009
World Baseball Classic lines, another international sporting event where
teams play for national pride. Let me know when I should start caring. Better
yet, let the players know that they should start caring. Without further ado,
here are the five dumbest things about the World Baseball Classic:
1. Americans Don’t
Care
Mark Teixeira doesn’t show up, other players are busy doing
yard work, and at the end of the day, the Americans just don’t care about the
World Baseball Classic as much as anyone else. Interestingly enough, they are
still the second-favored team on the World
Baseball Classic odds.
There is no history here for Americans. This isn’t hockey,
where the US team beat Russia during the Cold War. This isn’t the Dream Team,
which would sign autographs for their opponents after beating them. This is
just a tournament that Bud Selig threw together to make some money.
Unfortunately, the players have bigger prizes in mind.
2. Everyone Is More
Focused On The Upcoming MLB Season
Think about this before you ... [More]
Posted Thursday, February 12, 2009 12:22 PM
Look out, online betting fans. We’re halfway through February and that means Stanley Cup betting is right around the corner. What do you look for at the Internet sportsbook when trying to pinpoint the perfect contender in the Stanley Cup odds?
Well, a perfect NHL betting contender needs several key components, including (a) offensive firepower, (b) reliable goaltending, (c) depth, (d) a physical edge, (e) experience and leadership and (f) team chemistry. The top five Stanley Cup betting contenders below have most if not all of these characteristics, though every team has a possible chink in the armor.
Here are the top five, from worst Cup chances to best. Is it “boring” that they happen to be the top five overall teams in the standings? Maybe, but that’s just how the chips fall right now.
5. WASHINGTON CAPITALS
Why they could win: The Caps boast several offensive superstars, including Alexander the GR8 and the absurdly hot Mike Green. It seems no defense will keep them down. Also, it’s common in sports betting for one superstar to carry his team several rounds into the playoffs (Sidney Crosby las... [More]
Posted Thursday, February 05, 2009 03:32 PM
Don’t underestimate a UFC betting event just
because it lacks a title fight. If online
betting fans do that, they’ll miss an exciting card in UFC 95. You’ll want
to make your sportsbook
picks soon, as the action gets going Saturday, Feb. 21 at 9:00 p.m. ET on
Spike.
UFC
95 betting features some athletic, versatile fighters and a main event that
should significantly impact the lightweight ladder. Let’s break down the
matchups.
Joe “Daddy”
Stevenson (34-9) vs. Diego “Nightmare” Sanchez (21-2)
2008 was an up-and-down year for Joe “Daddy”
Stevenson, who faced some of MMA’s best lightweight competition. He was
bloodied, beaten and choked out by BJ Penn in the interim lightweight title
match at UFC 80. He then won back some MMA betting fans by submitting
Gleison Tibau with his signature guillotine choke at UFC 86. After that it was
back in the loss column for Daddy after Kenny Florian boxed him beautifully
before choking him out at UFC 91.
It’s tough to harp on Stevenson considering his
last two losses were against, arguably, the UFC’s two best lightweights... [More]
Posted Thursday, February 05, 2009 02:37 PM
Before March Madness
betting is upon us, the next major sporting event will be the World
Baseball Classic. Those who bet sports
are getting excited for the second ever World Baseball Classic but before you
get to betting it, here’s a set of rules to follow before you place your bets:
Know The Rules
The rules for the WBC and Major League Baseball differ a
little bit so bettors need to be conscious of it. Here are some of the major
differences:
A pitcher cannot pitch until a minimum of four days have passed
since he last pitched, if he threw 50 or more pitches when he last pitched. A
minimum of one day must pass since he last pitched, if he threw 30 or more
pitches when he last pitched. Also, a minimum of one day must pass since any
second consecutive day on which the pitcher pitched.
A pitcher cannot pitch more than 65 pitches per game in
Round One of the tournament, 80 pitches per game in Round Two of the tournament
or 95 pitches per game in the Semifinals and Final of the tournament.
A pitcher can still finish a batter's plate appearance
even if the limit is reached, but must come out after completing the plate
appearance.[More]
Posted Thursday, February 05, 2009 02:36 PM
March Madness
betting is getting ready to begin, and the Big East should have the most
number of teams in the 64-team NCAA Tournament. Here is a look at the top Big
East schools that sports betting
players should consider while going over this year’s sportsbook odds for
the big dance. As of February 5, the Big East has six teams in the top 25
rankings, including four of the top 10, led by #1 Connecticut.
Connecticut
March Madness odds
currently have UConn at +450 to win the tournament, putting them behind only
preseason favorites North Carolina. The Huskies are deep and experience, they
are 14th in the nation in opposition field-goal percentage, and they
can hurt you inside and out on the offensive end of the floor. Senior guard
A.J. Price was hurt during last year’s first-round loss to San Diego, and he’ll
be eager to carry the Huskies deep into the Tournament this year.
Louisville
The Cardinals are just behind UConn with March Madness odds of +500, but their
recent home beating at the hands of the Huskies proves that Louisville still
has a way to go. Earl Clark and Terrance Williams are as good a forwar... [More]