Archive for December 9th, 2006
What are players betting at Pinnacle Sports this week?
Here is the inside word from one of the linesmakers …
USC +1 -103 v. Michigan
After UCLA stunned USC and Florida beat Arkansas, both of these former championship contenders had to settle for the Rose Bowl. Michigan’s omission from the title game has caused controversy over the BCS selection process and it appears that regional politics impact who plays in the big game. Michigan was considered the #2 team in three out of four regions, but the South voted strongly in favor of Florida, pushing them up the poll.
We opened the Wolverines at -2 ½ (-105) but have taken twice as many wagers on USC as Michigan, causing the line to creep down. The sharps have mostly steered clear of this game to this point.
Florida +7 ½ -109 v. Ohio State
With a convincing win over Arkansas in the SEC title game, Florida edged out Michigan for the #2 spot in the BCS rankings by just 1/100th of a point. The computer rankings had the two teams tied, but Florida passed Michigan in the Harris Poll and USA Today poll. That was just enough for Florida to earn an invitation to the BCS National Championship Game.
We opened the Buckeyes at -7 (-105), and took a lot of early Ohio State money. The line spiked as high as -9, with twice as many bets on Ohio State as Florida, but a few sharps played the Gators at +8.5 and +9 forcing the line to drift back to +7.5.
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Remember that betting at Pinnacle Sports makes sense – they have the sharpest online prices on NCAA football of any of the top 10 bookies.
Be safe, be smart, get the best prices at Pinnacle Sports
December 9th, 2006
What are players betting at Pinnacle Sports this week?
Here is the inside word from one of the linesmakers …
Cleveland +9 -129 v. Pittsburgh
We initially offered Cleveland at +9 (-112). Using this unusual number (instead of +7 ½ at a normal moneyline) helps protect us on teasers, as teasing “large home favorites” is one of the strongest teaser plays you can make.
The opening number of Cleveland at +9 (-112) is equivalent to +8 (-105) using Pinnacle’s point-selling option. While the betting public strongly favors Cleveland by a 15:1 margin, some of the early sharps are playing Pittsburgh.
Indianapolis -1 -112 v. Jacksonville
This game has remained at the current price (-1 -112) since opening. Once again, teaser protection is a concern. While small underdogs are not as dangerous as large home favorites, we would still prefer to minimize damage from these types of plays. Skewing the line this way is an easy way to achieve this. While bettors favor the Colts by a 5:2 margin, the line has not moved. The early sharps have been on both sides of the game, so it’s anyone’s guess where this one is headed.
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Remember that betting at Pinnacle Sports makes sense – they have the sharpest online prices on NFL football of any of the top 10 bookies.
Be safe, be smart, get the best prices at Pinnacle Sports
December 9th, 2006
On of the most respected name in Uk Bookmaking – Ladbrokes Plc – could strike a 490 million pound deal to buy online gaming group 888 Holdings Plc. as early as next week, the Daily Mail reported on Friday.
The two firms had been in talks for more than a month, the newspaper said, citing a source close to the situation. It said the takeover offer for 888 was expected to be pitched at between 140 pence and 145 pence a share.
Neither company has made an official comment.
On November 5, Ladbrokes said it was considering a possible bid for 888, as the online sector consolidates after a U.S. ban on Internet-based gambling. An industry source at the time said any deal to buy 888 would have to be “north of 470 million pounds.”
December 9th, 2006