When to buy half points??

[savage1]

Bettorschat-I personally would buy off the 7 rather than 3 in most cases when you are talking of the NFL, because it costs a fortune at most places to buy off of 3 or to the 3.
Also, sometimes it isn't a bad idea to buy if for example one book has a 10 and someone else has a 10 1/2 and you don't like the game at all ;then simpleytry for a middle by buying one side down to 9 1/2 and leave 10 1/2 alone or buying the 10 1/2 to 11 while leaving the 10 alone.
Sometimes I even overlay a little more on the side I like better to make up the juice.

[frankb03]

Re: Got a push on E. Washington LN

Originally posted by porsche
How many of you can say that? Enough said.

Congrats on buying the 1/2 point and pushing. How many have you bought where it didn't matter? How many have you bought and still lost?

[bgh2003]

frankb

EXACTLY. Well said. For every time an extra 1/2 point in basketball saved your bet, there will be 50 times where it wouldn't have made a difference, and perhaps 25 times where you lost the bet anyway and it cost you the extra vig. I think I'd rather suffer the occasional loss by a hook (which is, to be sure, painful) then curse myself time and again for paying extra juice on a bet that lost anyway.

One additional observation: It seems to me that in basketball--particularly in the NBA--the totals frequently land right around the number. Last night's Lakers-Kings game is a good illustration (total was 203, final score added up to 204). I can remember countless times when I won or lost a total play in basketball by a hook or a point--far more times, anyway, than the occasions that extra 1/2 or 1 point saved me on a play against the point spread. Anyone agree with this? It won't change my general position regarding buying points in basketball, but if I were to do it, I would be more likely to do so on a total play.

[savage1]

Laker game pointspreads and over/unders are special cases because you have players on Lakers who are deliberately trying to control the outcome of either or both depending on the mindset of the players involved and what is needed by a certain select few who would profit.
As I have said before, too much shit goes on in too many Lakers games especially late in 4th quarter to think it is just coincidence.
David Stern ought to watch game films to see for himself, but then again someone said Mr. Stern may bet on the games himself. enough said. lol

[aplous]

Savage--

what makes you believe that the Lakers throw games for the spread?

I dont think it happens in pros-

curious--

[frankb03]

Originally posted by aplous
Savage--

what makes you believe that the Lakers throw games for the spread?

I dont think it happens in pros-

curious--

He didn't say the Lakers throw the games. In many Laker home games they are favored by DD. Late in the game if they are leading by DD and their lead is around the point spread he feels there's some funny business going on. Personally, I don't believe so. However, who knows. The Lakers know they have the game in the bag.

[HUNGlikeabear]

Aplous

Savage isn't the 1st to bring this up. There is a strong opinion out there similar to his.:confused: Especially home games. You never know.

[savage1]

Aplous-I don't think Lakers try to lose deliberately, but I do thiink they try to control the pointspread and/or the over/under on many occasions.
I myself have witnessed just too many questionable things in their games too many times to think everything is on the up and up.
It seems to me that many times after the straight up winner in one of their games is no longer in doubt is when the fun begins.
Some of things includevery funny looking missed foulshots(to keep them from covering), strange turnovers, fouls for no apparent reason other than to perhaps try to put the game over the total, etc.
I realize that some of these things go on in other games not involving the Lakers, but I myself as stated have seen it go on too many times to think it is just chance.
To me it is more likely that there is an attempt by some of Laker players to help a few to profit by this).
To repeat, it seems to me that most of shenanigans start usually late in game,when actual winner is not in doubt, probably so not to bring attention to it.
I would add that many times when Lakers are posted as a system play for that night, theyn don't cover, and when system says to go against them, they do cover.
Just go back and read the bitching by other members of this thread other than me who have lost in last few months on plays or over/unders involving the Lakers if you want to hear more about the same thing.

[Intraware1]

people who use 1 stupid game as an example of how they won by buying a half...are probably those who lose in the longrun...its fu-cking ridiculous to sit here and argue back and forth...obviously this forum is lacking in the math dept...b/c if this is something you take serious...one would know (and its obvious only 1person; paulson does)...how difficult is it to BEAT 11/10...now you have to beat 12/10 or 54.45% to break even....like i said in my post...if you have fun sitting back on the weekends logging on to your greek account and betting 50's thats fine...but any PROFESSIONAL...would laugh in your face....they would say, i have 5shops and i pick up my 1/2's by shopping for lines....

...this is eerily similar to poker...i play online everynight of the week...and i see the same people do the same things everynight...that causes them to lose money over the longrun....they think their stupid AK is god almighty and are ready at a moments notice to go all in...not realizing its an UNDERDOG to a lousy pair of 2's....these same people love to go all in with 4 to flush after the flop...not realizing they are gonna catch that flush 1in3 times....

[bgh2003]

I resurrected this thread to tell a funny story:

I NEVER buy points in basketball. Never, ever, ever. Yet last night I decided to bet the Pacers for a small wager (my big bet was on the under--thanks Pimp for that one). My book had Indy at -3.5.

For some reason, that hook stuck out at me like a sore thumb. Like I said, I never even think about buying points in this sport. But that hook (even though the line had dropped from -4) bothered me. I guess images of Reggie Miller winning the game with a late three were running through my head. So, I bought the Pacers down to -3 (-120), all the while chuckling to myself as I remembered posting in this thread, arguing vehemently against the logic of buying points in basketball.

What do you know? Ron Artest blows two late free throws and the Pacers win by three. I get a push where most Pacers bettors lost.

Doesn't change my sentiments about the subject, but I'll take it!

[Bennojd]

bgh2003:

Congrats on the push!
I realize you still do not think that buying half points is a worthwhile proposition in hoops but I'm glad that it paid off for you just this once!

It's funny to see this thread on page one again as I remember it well, of course!!.......(lol)

As you know, I do buy half points in CBB but only in certain situations; I have listed exactly when I will buy a 1/2 point:

Assuming I shopped my three offshore sportsbooks for the best possible line for a given game; now this is what I will do:

*For college hoops only*
(-3 1/2)........buy half point to (-3)
(-3).............leave it alone
(-2 1/2).......buy half point to (-2)
(-2)............leave it alone
(-1 1/2)......buy half point to (-1)
(-1)...........leave it alone
(-1/2)........NO SUCH LINE
(PK).........leave it alone

(+3 1/2).......buy half point to (+4)
(+3)............leave it alone
(+2 1/2)......buy half point to (+3)
(+2)...........leave it alone
(+1 1/2)......buy half point to (+2)
(+1)...........leave it alone
(+1/2)........NO SUCH LINE
(PK).........leave it alone

Next season, I am going to track all the games that I buy half points in and then I will see if it was REALLY worth doing.

Later,
Bennojd