Nick: Squares Getting Hurt So Far
Submitted by
nick on Wed, 2010-09-29 01:00
DIRECT FROM NEVADA WITH NICK BOGDANOVICH
THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS LOSING BADLY IN THE OPENING WEEKS OF THE SEASON
It's been a tough year so far for"squares," the term we use in Nevada for the general public. They've been losing a little bit in the colleges by most accounts, and a lot in the NFL.
Now, different stores will have different experiences depending on their clientele. Not all joints are the same in terms of the numbers they hang in the hours before kickoff, and their walk-in traffic. The places that get a lot of square action but not much sharp action are very happy so far. Those who are more balanced are grinding out wins, but not in the same one-sided fashion.
The important thing for YOU to remember is that you don't want to bet like a square! I keep telling you to think like a sharp and bet like a sharp. If you think like a square and bet like a square, you're going to have some very bad stretches like we've seen in September of 2010.
What's happened so far this year to hurt squares?
- NFL underdogs are getting the money at a very strong clip. The public tends to bet favorites, particularly in the NFL. The public also likes betting a lot of parlays, and they put favorites in those parlays. Squares can turn 3-3 into a disaster because so many of the parlays lose. Favorites aren't even covering anywhere near a 50/50 rate so far.
- Big name pro teams are having trouble covering numbers. New Orleans is 0-3 ATS or 0-2-1 ATS depending on your lines. The Cowboys are 1-2 ATS. New England is 1-2 ATS. San Diego is 1-2 ATS. Indianapolis lost their season opener so badly that the public backed off a bit the next two weeks when they actually won and covered. When those teams are doing well, it's duck and cover for sportsbooks. Squares will have the"blowout" teams in game bets and parlays. So far this year, those teams aren't reaching expectations very often.
- Many big name college teams aren't getting the job done either. Both Texas and Oklahoma, for example, have struggled to reach their Vegas spreads. Florida pulled an Indianapolis and looked so bad in their opener that people were afraid to bet them before they started covering again. The public didn't bet Boise State in the Virginia Tech game, but then DID bet them in the Oregon State game they didn't cover. Southern Cal got support against Hawaii, Virginia, and Minnesota in non-covers. Everyone gave up on them just before they blew out Washington State.
Now, it's not a clean sweep. Squares aren't losing EVERYTHING they're betting. They're losing at a faster clip than normal though. And, the damage has been particularly bad for them in pro football, which is the king of all betting sports.
Sportsbooks always figure they'll get the square money eventually. Even if squares manage to win for a season, they'll just lose it back the next season. This has been a surprisingly quick windfall. And, it's something will have to monitor here in the web articles all season. Right now, sportsbooks are taking positions against squares. If the square money dries up because of so many early losers, it will be more of a showdown between oddsmakers and sharps down the road.
Hopefully you've been focusing on the right teams at the right prices. I'm not opposed to betting favorites when they make good sense. Many of my releases to clients are on favorites who I believe have been underrated by the market. The key is having balance in your portfolio...and knowing which horses NOT to ride. Don't be stubborn with the Cowboys and the Patriots when they're not getting the job done. Don't assume a big name program like Texas won't lose a step when a star quarterback graduates.
A new week starts very soon, with Texas A&M at Oklahoma State kicking things off Thursday Night. Then it's BYU/Utah State Friday Night. And, SHOWDOWN SATURDAY is going to provide plenty of thrills.
I'll be featuring my COLLEGE SHOWDOWN GAME OF THE YEAR this Saturday. Among the possibilities:
Florida at Alabama
Texas vs. Oklahoma (in Dallas)
Stanford at Oregon
Penn State at Iowa
Wisconsin at Michigan State
Miami of Florida at Clemson
Virginia Tech at NC State
Notre Dame at Boston College
This will be the biggest action Saturday so far in Vegas and Reno because of the prior scarcity of big games. There's been about 1-2 good games per week for bringing in square traffic. Now there are marquee matchups around the clock!
My clients and I will be fading the squares, and possibly battling the sharps in a couple of spots. I'm my own man. I make up my own mind. My unique position in the middle of the legal sports gambling world allows me to see and exploit mistakes being made from all corners.
You can sign up for my BEST BETS online. Full seasonal packages are available. Game day releases go up a few hours before kickoff. Make a few clicks and have your credit card handy.