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I am never ceased to be amazed at the creativity the books in Las Vegas use to relieve the uninformed tourist of his money. I thought this week I would share with you some of those “creative” wagers that were available last week when I was in Sin City. Let’s start with one that I saw at Lucky’s sportsbooks which now includes Primm at Stateline and the old Union Plaza downtown.

Which Group Will Produce The 2009-2010 Super Bowl Champion

I think the only value in playing this wager is if you like the Super Bowl favorite New England Patriots who were listed around town at anywhere from 3/1 to 4 1/2 to 1 odds to win the 2010 NFL Championship. The only problem is that after Brady’s bunch, the Saints and Falcons Group #1 offers absolutely no value. Interestingly enough Group #4 which includes both of last year’s Super Bowl participants has the highest odds at +300. The books have also included two of “America’s” Teams (Cowboys and Packers) in this group so it appears to me they are trying to sucker the public into laying the wood on this group. In my opinion the odds are not fair to the bettor on ANY group. Now let’s take a look at the next off the wall proposition bet being offered by the Vegas bookmakers.

Will ANY NFL team win 13 or more games during the 2009 regular season: YES ODDS -400    NO ODDS +320

Will ANY TWO NFL teams win 13 or more games during the 2009 regular season: YES ODDS -130  NO ODDS EVEN

Will ANY NFL team LOSE 13 or more games during the 2009 regular season: YES ODDS +375  NO ODDS -475

Will ANY TWO NFL teams LOSE 13 or more games during the 2009 regular season: YES ODDS -145  NO ODDS +115

The YES on one team winning 13 or more is the way to go but laying $400 to win $100 is ridiculous. If you think the Lions will continue their futility into the 2009 season than +375 looks inviting on them to lose 13 or more.

The next proposition wager is called Peyton versus Eli. Who will win more regular season games. Peyton is posted at +105 and Eli at -125. The sheet also states that “Both must start the first regular season game for there to be action. There is no explanation as to what happens if either or both are injured or unable to “start” or “play” in all 16 games. It seems to me the books have left a lot of wriggle room in this one and when the wriggling starts in that town the bettor almost always comes out on the short end.

The last sucker I mean creative proposition wager I saw was the most regular season wins by Florida NFL Teams versus California based NFL Teams. The Florida teams are getting a 1/2 game win and are listed as +130 underdogs. The California teams are laying a 1/2 game win and are posted at -150. I will save you some research time on this one and let you know it is the Raiders, Chargers and 49ers versus the Dolphins, Jaguars and Buccaneers. Might be a fun wager between friends living in those two states but I think you would have to be a little crazed to put any serious money on this one. In fact you are much better off saving your NFL bankroll for betting games straight up or versus the money line when the season starts in September. All of these props are nothing more than gimmick bets to relieve the uneducated visitor  of some of his loose change. Don’t bite!! Thanks for listening.

A Bettor Approach, Football, NFL, Sports Betting Add new tag, The Wiz takes at creative NFL futures bets available in Las Vegas

As Governor Arnold Schwarznegger jets back from DC to the insolvent state he runs I thought I might help him with a bail out plan for Californea (as he pronounces it). Why doesn’t he follow the lead of Delaware Governor Jack Markell and legalize sports wagering accross the state and while he is at it why not legalize all forms of gambling now legal in Las Vegas. Yes, the federal government would have to approve such a measure but they are in no position to say no. How can they let four states collect revenue on this activity but yet deny that right to the other forty-six state governments. The lobbyists representing Nevada in Washington have had their way long enough. How many favors and gratuities do you think have changed hands over the years to ensure Nevada’s virtual monopoly on legalized sports wagering?

You see Delaware has no sales tax so Governor Markell has pushed through a bill that legalizes sports wagering in his state. I heard him this week on the Dan Patrick radio show say that although this activity will be limited to three facilities (racetracks) the projected revenue for the first year alone is $52 MILLION!! Now if tiny little old Delaware could wager that kind of money what do you suppose Californians would risk? Also isn’t the Govenator backing a bill to lessen our dependence on foreign oil? How much oil do you think is burned every weekend when thousands of Californians make the five hour car trek accross the desert to Las Vegas? I also find it amusing that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell feels legalizing sports wagering in “other” states would undermine the integrity of the game and make the public question certain plays and calls. Does he live in a bubble or what? He knows gambling has made the NFL the monster that it is he just can’t admit it publicly.  What does Fantasy Football add to the integrity of the game?What other business in America can hold cities hostage to build a “NEW PLANT” with tax payers money under the threat of relocating. NFL lobbyists have to be some of the most powerful people in Washington.

The NCAA also chimes in with their anti-gambling rhetoric and they too are represented in political circles by spokepersons like Rachael Newman Baker who say legalized sports wagering will undermine the college atheletes. This is the same organization that makes millions of dollars by pulling kids out of low income neighborhoods putting them on television to display their talents for four years and then what? Most of these kids do not go on to the NFL, NBA or MLB to make millions. Yet the NCAA generates more than half a billion dollars annually because of them which is ALL TAX EXEMPT REVENUE!!!! Wouldn’t we all like to be invited to some of the “events” thrown by the various NCAA personnel during the bowl season or March Madness.

Now I am not into politics and I am into politicians even less but enough is enough. Billions of dollars in revenue is being sent overseas via internet gambling and many a state could use the additional revenue generated by legalizing sports wagering accross America. Let’s hope the Govenator will wake up in time.

Uncategorized Add new tag, The Wiz helps the Govinator solve Califonia's financial crisis