betting lessons

[ck]

I have been reading the posts on bettorsworld ever since I started betting on sports, which has only been a few months now.
I hear a lot about "middling" players. What exactly are the benefits of "middling"?
For all you experienced bettors, there will be a lot more questions like these popping up.

CK

[JPet]

CK - this is an easy one. Suppose in the NFL the Stardust has Pgh -3.5 over the Jets and MGM has Pgh -2.5 over the Jets. You bet Jets +3.5 at the Stardust for $1100 and Pgh -2.5 at the MGM for $1100. Your max loss is $100, but if the game falls on 3, you win $2000. A middle is that simple. You could do a 3.5/3 combo but in this case your upside would be $1000 while your max loss would still be $100. Understand ?

[ck]

Thanks a lot for explaining what middling is.
I am confused now. What is scalping exactly.
I apologize in advance for these questions. But the best place to get these answers in an articulate manner is in bettorsworld.

CK

[krackman]

If you hear alot about middling and scalping why not ask those people about it? You have been betting for a months now but just decided to log yesterday for your first post? Just my opinion ..... This guy is very intelligent.....

[This message has been edited by krackman (edited 04-29-2000).]

[WhiteShoes]

scalping is getting a middle on a braves,
indians, redskins game.

sorry for my political uncorrectedness

actually, a scalp is the same thing as a
middle. It's usually used when middling
a money line. Example, you get Atlanta
at -150 and find a line on the other
team of +155. Bet both sides and you
have gained +5 in profit no matter who
wins.

People do the same thing in day trading,
where they get two different prices on
the same commodity. That is called
arbitrage.

It all goes under the same heading though...
shopping for value. Modern america is
founded on this principle....reselling,
the middleman, cost abovee invoice....it's
all the basic same thing with different
terminology.

To me it's not really handicapping, but
allot of people seem to enjoy middling
more than betting on the one side only. Less
risk to be sure, especially over the short
run. As far as what you have to do, instead
of poring over statistics, you will be searching for price differences at sportsbooks, something that has changed
significantly during the 90's.

[ck]

First and foremost. I'm sorry that everyone is not as intelligent as you krackman. Ooh forgive me!
Even though I checked out the posting forums before I started placing bets. I never paid too much attention to posts that had topics about "middling" and "scalping". Which is why I started this topic up.
I am not a serious gambler and was curious about all the definitions of the terminology being used in this forum


Ck

[SAMMY3]

Krackman, give the guy the benefit of the doubt at least. This forum is for exchanging information and ideas. All he asked for was some simple info, nothing sensitive and I for one see nothing wrong with his questions. Remember, we were all green at one time.

[hilper]

How many points difference do you need in different sports to make a profitable "middle"? I understand that for football it depends on the number - is -2,5 + 3,5 and -6,5 +7,5 enough? Are there any books on this subject - I guess that with all the bonuses offered it is quite easy to make a living?

[reno]

ck, do a search in BW. Much has already been written on the subject of scalping/middling.

[krackman]

Ok! I will. Sammy you are right and I agree.Just took one of those bad beats and had to rant )-: Good luck all....

[WhiteShoes]

ck, nobody seems to agree on what exact
point differences you need to middle
successfully. Some say it's a lost art
while some say they do pretty well over the long run even in today's market. I suggest you just start doing in a small way to see how successful you are and whether you like it. One thing though, the primo middlers
have accounts with maybe 20 or 30 books, and
have lots of money to work with. Try it for
a while and you'll see how much money you will need. There has been alot of talk here
about middling, so like Reno says, you can
probably find alot here in the archives.

Myself, I'd rather take advantage of a bad
line and bet one side than middle, mainly
because i don't have money invested in enough
sportsbooks. Rule number one I would say is
to get as many sportsbook accounts as you can
afford so as to find different prices. The rest should take care of itself more or less.

[SAMMY3]

Krackman, just got back to the forum and read your reply. It takes a man to admit he was wrong, very classy move.
p.s. hope you win them all today.

[REALITY]

Originally posted by hilper:
How many points difference do you need in different sports to make a profitable "middle"? I understand that for football it depends on the number - is -2,5 + 3,5 and -6,5 +7,5 enough? Are there any books on this subject - I guess that with all the bonuses offered it is quite easy to make a living?

CK,
I just couldn't resist one last post because it is one of my pets.
This is in the NFL only,and every bettor in the world should play this if you have the opportunity.
This is the Bm's worst nightmare...
In the NFL games end with the margin of victory of 3 in 14.1%of all games played regardless of the spread.
Every opportunity you find to lay -2.5 and take +3.5 is a no brainer,your getting a 20-1 payback on your risk.
The second most dangerous number is 7 which lands 7.3% of the time regardless of spread.
The SUPERBOWL the most heavily bet football game of each season landed 7 and Bm's were destroyed.
In NFL totals 37 lands 5.2% of the time and going over 36.5 and under 37.5 is the only reccomended play shooting for 1 point middles.
Suprisingly the total 51 is the second most dangerous landing 3.9% of the time,30 lands 3.7 of the time.
When you see an NFL game where the favorite is 3 and the total is 37 and the favorite wins 20-17, if your BM is not answering his phone it is probably beacause he is in church begging for God's forgiveness.

One other interesting NFL stat over the last 5 years in the NFL.
Bm's would have needed to charge you -1.40 to break even when the betting public used any two 7 point NFL favorites in two team teasers.
Good luck!



[This message has been edited by REALITY (edited 05-02-2000).]

[Scott Landau]

Reality, great advice!! I have 2 guys in the NFL who let me move the line 1 point per game and total if I play the whole board. I haven't been fortunate enough to hit a 20-17 yet and in some of these games I have had 1.5 and 4 and 36 to 38.5. I also can't believe how many of these games are screwed off the number in the final minute. I know 3 is a common number for a final, but most times when a game falls 3 the line unfortunately is not 3.

[REALITY]

Originally posted by Scott Landau:
Reality, great advice!! I have 2 guys in the NFL who let me move the line 1 point per game and total if I play the whole board. I haven't been fortunate enough to hit a 20-17 yet and in some of these games I have had 1.5 and 4 and 36 to 38.5. I also can't believe how many of these games are screwed off the number in the final minute. I know 3 is a common number for a final, but most times when a game falls 3 the line unfortunately is not 3.

SCOTT,
Just could not resist again...
You have been given a license to steal.
On sides move around 3,4,6,7,and 10.
On totals move around 30,37,44,and 49.
GOOD LUCK.

P.S. This applies to the NFL ONLY !!!


[This message has been edited by REALITY (edited 05-03-2000).]