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50K NFL and College Football Contest
written September 9, 2006
-Features Two Cappers Risking Their Own Money
In the never-ending search for reliable free picks, bettors endure more frustration than satisfaction. Ideally, that is about to change.
A new contest, aptly entitled “Beat Bogdanovich,” is being sponsored by Leroy's. For the next 12 weeks, two well-regarded high-profile Las Vegas bettors will face off at Fitzgerald’s, downtown. Nick Bogdanovich, former bookmaker at four sportsbooks -- the Horseshoe, Mandalay Bay, Stratosphere, and Golden Nugget -- goes head-to-head with self-described advantage gambler Fezzik.
Both are well known and respected figures within the sports betting fraternity. Each Friday from 1-2 pm they will face off and give out six ATS plays using the Leroy's line. Moderated by John Kelly, the competition will be aired over KENO AM 1460.
The twist to this contest, conceived by Leroy's public relations director Jimmy Vaccaro, is that each entrant is risking $25K of his own money -- which means the victor will enjoy a $50,000 swing. This innovative event is typical of Jimmy's affinity to shake things up and put together something we haven’t seen before. With their own bankrolls in play -- as well as their reputations, ego, etc. on the line -- we expect both competitors to bring their A-game.
Fezzik has established himself as a straight-talking professional bettor who doesn't suffer fools gladly. His public and private persona are identical. He is especially nettled by touts’ claims that they have identified lines that are off by 10 points or more. Fezzik insists that seeking games that are off by three points is a more reasonable and honest objective.
Last year, NFL favorites covered at a 58 percent clip. This year figures to even out and go the other way, and Fezzik says he will be a dog player.
Bogdanovich made his bones by booking six-figure action at the Horseshoe when Jack Binion ran the joint. There were also phone accounts, and he enjoyed the challenge of matching wits with the sharp bettors that frequented the book.
He noted that all the bookmaking gigs he held were enjoyable, and that he is available if anything appropriate opens up. However, with all the casino consolidations that have taken place in Vegas, Bogdanovich said there were only about five jobs running a sportsbook in town.
The key to being a successful sportsbook director, Bogdanovich pointed out, is to have the support of owners and flexibility in taking action.
Both Bogdanovich and Fezzik have a history of doing well when their selections are made public. Nick won last year's Money Talks contest, and Fezzik finished second in the 2005 College Challenge, after tying for first and narrowly losing in a playoff round.
Fezzik gives his plays away, but Bogdanovich recently entered the sports-service industry and is selling his picks. We expect savvy Vegas players who might have been potential customers will prefer to take his plays in this contest at no charge.
Below are this week's selections, with brief analysis.
Bogdanovich
Oakland +3 vs. San Diego
Chargers QB Rivers looked shaky during preseason, and this is his first start. Not sold on him. For the Raiders, Jordan can run a little, Moss has his moments, and Brooks can put up numbers.
Chicago -3˝ @ Green Bay
This is more of a bet against the Pack than a bet on the Bears. Green Bay is in disarray, the offensive line is a mess, and Farve is not what he used to be. Bears convert turnovers into points, and will score enough here to get the job done.
Buffalo +9 @ New England
This is a bad number; there are lots of 10s out there, but I'll still take it. The Pats can't cover that big of a number. The Bills are not as bad as many think, and their defense is better than New England’s.
Boston College +2˝ vs. Clemson
In the coaching department, O'Brien trumps Bowden every day of the week. BC QB is nicked up, and if his backup, a redshirt frosh plays, he will get it done. The wrong team is favored in this matchup.
Arkansas State +14 vs. Oklahoma State
While the dog doesn't enjoy any home advantage, it is the equal of the Wildcats whose QB is erratic. Catching 14 on a home neutral site is a good play right here.
Best Bet
Northern Illinois -15 vs. Ohio
The dog won its first game, but won ugly. Now they face the class of the MAC. This looks like a woodshed job.
Fezzik
Over 51 Tulsa @ BYU
Tulsa scores big on the road; BYU is a high-scoring machine at home. This figures to be a shootout.
Over 53 Stanford @ San Jose State
Both offenses return lots of starters. There is value in the over.
Over 49 Indiana @ Ball State
Both teams have more returning starters on offense than on defense. This is one of the biggest games in Ball State history, and they are really going to bring it.
Cincinnati +8 vs. Pittsburgh
The game is likely headed towards 7. Expect a great effort from the home dog. Lots of people I respect are on this side.
Cleveland -3 vs. New Orleans
The Browns are a much better team. The Saints have decent weapons at skill positions but crappy offensive and defensive lines. The money is gravitating towards the Browns and will probably finish at 3˝.
Best Bet
Over 36 Cleveland vs. New Orleans
The Browns’ offense behind Charley Frye can put up points, and the Saints have enough weapons to put up scoring to get this game over.
written September 9, 2006
-Features Two Cappers Risking Their Own Money
In the never-ending search for reliable free picks, bettors endure more frustration than satisfaction. Ideally, that is about to change.
A new contest, aptly entitled “Beat Bogdanovich,” is being sponsored by Leroy's. For the next 12 weeks, two well-regarded high-profile Las Vegas bettors will face off at Fitzgerald’s, downtown. Nick Bogdanovich, former bookmaker at four sportsbooks -- the Horseshoe, Mandalay Bay, Stratosphere, and Golden Nugget -- goes head-to-head with self-described advantage gambler Fezzik.
Both are well known and respected figures within the sports betting fraternity. Each Friday from 1-2 pm they will face off and give out six ATS plays using the Leroy's line. Moderated by John Kelly, the competition will be aired over KENO AM 1460.
The twist to this contest, conceived by Leroy's public relations director Jimmy Vaccaro, is that each entrant is risking $25K of his own money -- which means the victor will enjoy a $50,000 swing. This innovative event is typical of Jimmy's affinity to shake things up and put together something we haven’t seen before. With their own bankrolls in play -- as well as their reputations, ego, etc. on the line -- we expect both competitors to bring their A-game.
Fezzik has established himself as a straight-talking professional bettor who doesn't suffer fools gladly. His public and private persona are identical. He is especially nettled by touts’ claims that they have identified lines that are off by 10 points or more. Fezzik insists that seeking games that are off by three points is a more reasonable and honest objective.
Last year, NFL favorites covered at a 58 percent clip. This year figures to even out and go the other way, and Fezzik says he will be a dog player.
Bogdanovich made his bones by booking six-figure action at the Horseshoe when Jack Binion ran the joint. There were also phone accounts, and he enjoyed the challenge of matching wits with the sharp bettors that frequented the book.
He noted that all the bookmaking gigs he held were enjoyable, and that he is available if anything appropriate opens up. However, with all the casino consolidations that have taken place in Vegas, Bogdanovich said there were only about five jobs running a sportsbook in town.
The key to being a successful sportsbook director, Bogdanovich pointed out, is to have the support of owners and flexibility in taking action.
Both Bogdanovich and Fezzik have a history of doing well when their selections are made public. Nick won last year's Money Talks contest, and Fezzik finished second in the 2005 College Challenge, after tying for first and narrowly losing in a playoff round.
Fezzik gives his plays away, but Bogdanovich recently entered the sports-service industry and is selling his picks. We expect savvy Vegas players who might have been potential customers will prefer to take his plays in this contest at no charge.
Below are this week's selections, with brief analysis.
Bogdanovich
Oakland +3 vs. San Diego
Chargers QB Rivers looked shaky during preseason, and this is his first start. Not sold on him. For the Raiders, Jordan can run a little, Moss has his moments, and Brooks can put up numbers.
Chicago -3˝ @ Green Bay
This is more of a bet against the Pack than a bet on the Bears. Green Bay is in disarray, the offensive line is a mess, and Farve is not what he used to be. Bears convert turnovers into points, and will score enough here to get the job done.
Buffalo +9 @ New England
This is a bad number; there are lots of 10s out there, but I'll still take it. The Pats can't cover that big of a number. The Bills are not as bad as many think, and their defense is better than New England’s.
Boston College +2˝ vs. Clemson
In the coaching department, O'Brien trumps Bowden every day of the week. BC QB is nicked up, and if his backup, a redshirt frosh plays, he will get it done. The wrong team is favored in this matchup.
Arkansas State +14 vs. Oklahoma State
While the dog doesn't enjoy any home advantage, it is the equal of the Wildcats whose QB is erratic. Catching 14 on a home neutral site is a good play right here.
Best Bet
Northern Illinois -15 vs. Ohio
The dog won its first game, but won ugly. Now they face the class of the MAC. This looks like a woodshed job.
Fezzik
Over 51 Tulsa @ BYU
Tulsa scores big on the road; BYU is a high-scoring machine at home. This figures to be a shootout.
Over 53 Stanford @ San Jose State
Both offenses return lots of starters. There is value in the over.
Over 49 Indiana @ Ball State
Both teams have more returning starters on offense than on defense. This is one of the biggest games in Ball State history, and they are really going to bring it.
Cincinnati +8 vs. Pittsburgh
The game is likely headed towards 7. Expect a great effort from the home dog. Lots of people I respect are on this side.
Cleveland -3 vs. New Orleans
The Browns are a much better team. The Saints have decent weapons at skill positions but crappy offensive and defensive lines. The money is gravitating towards the Browns and will probably finish at 3˝.
Best Bet
Over 36 Cleveland vs. New Orleans
The Browns’ offense behind Charley Frye can put up points, and the Saints have enough weapons to put up scoring to get this game over.