2 noob questions: Moneylines and Line Shopping

[IHateKeithSmart]

Hey all:

This may be my first attempt at wearing out my welcome, so tell me to stfu n00b if needed (but give a link at least [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]).

Anyhoo, I want to start betting a few nfl games for fun. I have read the fine faq and have a few follow up questions.

1) Moneylines - I think I'd like to start out with these kinds of bets. But, most of the threads I see in here talk about lines/spreads, which seems to mean that is the preferred method of 'good' sports bettors. Am I an idiot for wanting to bet moneylines (are these sucker bets)?

2) Line shopping - In the FAQ, tech says the money is made by being a good line shopper vs. a good handicapper. So, I'm assuming you guys have accounts with a number of sportsbooks. As a n00b, I only have an account with Bodog (they were rated well and have poker too). So, am I screwed? I only want to bet $50 or $100 a game a couple of times a week and don't want to open up 10 accounts.

Thanks,
Jason from the Tubby Zone

[sublime]

1) Moneylines - I think I'd like to start out with these kinds of bets. But, most of the threads I see in here talk about lines/spreads, which seems to mean that is the preferred method of 'good' sports bettors. Am I an idiot for wanting to bet moneylines (are these sucker bets)?

its all about value. each point spread in the NFL is worth a certain moneyline. its your job to pick which one has more value. SharpSportsBetting (the book) had a table in it showing the correct data. Here is a link from a quick google search Chart

There are certain numbers where its almost never worth taking the spread (+1/+1.5 for example) with these numbers you are almost always better off finding the best moneyline, or teasing them with another general strategy team.

[ QUOTE ]
2) Line shopping - In the FAQ, tech says the money is made by being a good line shopper vs. a good handicapper. So, I'm assuming you guys have accounts with a number of sportsbooks. As a n00b, I only have an account with Bodog (they were rated well and have poker too). So, am I screwed? I only want to bet $50 or $100 a game a couple of times a week and don't want to open up 10 accounts.


[/ QUOTE ]

The more the merrier, but it doesnt mean your screwed if you only have one out. It all relates to what you expect out of wagers. If its mostly for fun, and you just want to come as close to break even as possible, then having one or two books is fine. I personally derive a decent amount of money each year and have 12 offshore accounts open and one local (credit) account. If I were you I would at least open an account at a reduced juice shop to go along with your Bodog account (cascade/mansion/pinny).

Good Luck
Mike

[zipo]

The reduced juice out is a great suggestion. If you want to make moneyline bets at least get 3 outs - when I took Notre Dame on the up vs UM I got +275 when most outs were at +235 or so. Shopping pays off even more with money lines than sides in my experience.

[youtalkfunny]

I recently graduated from one out (a pokerroom/sportsbook combo like BoDog) to a second out (reduced juice like Pinny). The difference is INCREDIBLE.

I like to bet NASCAR. The poker/book place had a 30-cent line. But if I compare the matchups with the other book (which has a 10-cent line to start with), I will often find myself with 5-cent line, or less--or even a scalp or two!

I'm a fulltime poker player, but I've recently started to shop for scalps. Not for the small payouts--but rather to make leaps and bounds in clearing bonuses!

Going from 13 outs to 14 might not make much of a difference. But going from 1 to 2, and 2 to 3, is downright exponential.

[IHateKeithSmart]

Thanks everyone for helping me get started. This makes football weekends much more exciting [img]/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

I decided to play some cfb games as well and have been lucky to go 2-0 thus far (1 unit each, 1 unit = $100).

I took:

Louisiana Monroe +39 vs. Georgia
and
Miami vs. Clemson +7

I'll try for a perfect first day of betting tonight with Mississippi St. -3 vs. Tulane.

Thanks again,
Jason