Sports gambling - do you do it?
So I try to stay away from most vices, sports gambling included. However, the -3.5 MD line in the upcoming MD/MSU game was a bit too juicy for me to resist so I dropped a Benjamin on MD for shits and giggles.
I guess my take is that it all seems like fun and games, but I've seen enough commercials to know that some folks do have legit addictions to gambling. I don't know if that's me or not, but I prefer not to find out so while I place the occasional bet I delete the app off my phone once the game is over.
Curious to know if we have any gambling savants on here and if anyone really makes a living off of it now that it's legal in Michigan.
September 26th, 2022 at 9:14 AM ^
I do a ton and easily take fools' money. My name is Jimmy Serrano and I own a betting house called The Tropicana. The easiest fools to work are the ones who think they know something. My secret is that I set a line on each game that changes with the betting, so that, in the end, half the betting is on one side and half on the other, with a 10% commission on losses. So, I make 5% on all that sports betting inventory, every single day. That's right, 5% a day on fools who think they're going to come out ahead in the long run. I pit human egos against an A.I. I love it! I roll in cash and get my toenails clipped by lingerie models and I don't have to know anything. I just have to adjust the line according to human psychology. I'm what's called a "winner".
September 26th, 2022 at 9:48 AM ^
Jimmy Serrano? Where are Jack Walsh and Marvin Dorfler? Or The Duke?
September 26th, 2022 at 11:41 AM ^
Bro, I was just walking in an airport, and saw my old friend Jack Walsh. The feds had nothing on me.
September 25th, 2022 at 8:57 PM ^
No. Not interested at all.
September 26th, 2022 at 9:28 AM ^
Back in the day, a bunch of guys in the neighborhood would play "just for fun" poker with a $20 entrance fee. Betting with dimes and quarters so the games would last longer. I would drop my entrance fee and head over to the bar/TV to enjoy the evening chatting with my buddies (we worth $20 for what I drank). I have no interest in sitting there with losing hands watching my cash slip away.
September 25th, 2022 at 8:59 PM ^
I know if I start I will likely get myself in trouble, thus that is a big no for me.
September 25th, 2022 at 11:29 PM ^
spoiler alert!
September 26th, 2022 at 8:32 AM ^
Dont do it. I learned my lesson during college.
A buddy of mine who I grew up with who was a few years older than me was a huge gambler (still is) introduced me to sports gambling.
My first ever bet was for $50 and it was the Braves -1.5 runs. They won. I was instantly hooked.
Long story short, I ended up making a lot of bets for a lot of money that I didnt have. Ended up losing about 4-5K which is a very large amount for a poor college student.
Also, the team that cost me the most money was Sparty hoops. They were like 4 point favorites against a mid major...forgot who the team was but ended up being a line that was too good to be true.
But my bookie made a trip to see me at college. Was one of the scariest times of my life. Luckily things didnt get out of hand and I was able to work things out.
He has been in jail for the last 7 years, so this wasnt a guy to mess around with.
Havent made a bet with a bookie since then and only made a couple online bets and that was a few years ago.
It is fun, but I wouldnt recommend it. lol
September 26th, 2022 at 9:38 AM ^
A while back, I worked with this arrogant young guy who gambled big time. Thought he had it all figured out until one day it all collapsed. Lost his wife to divorce, which meant he no longer got to see his young daughter on a daily bases. He also was disassociated from the larger friend group. Yeah, left to his own devices with a bunch of debt to pay off (in addition to child support).
September 25th, 2022 at 8:59 PM ^
is Tagaloaa (spelling) playing?
If he's a scratch that could skew things. Otherwise I agree with you
September 25th, 2022 at 9:03 PM ^
No.
I don’t have enough confidence in my gambling ability.
September 26th, 2022 at 8:46 AM ^
I have confidence those buildings and fat bottom lines didn't happen by themselves.
Almost every gambler I've talked to says they win.
Which, given the first statement means; either these gamblers are lying to me or themselves.
September 26th, 2022 at 10:49 AM ^
There is no such thing as "gambling ability." You need to win 55% of the time picking point spreads to be profitable, and if you're just taking whatever the book gives you you're really at about a 50% probability to win, so you will eventually lose. The only way to be profitable is to consistently beat the closing line by either getting a few points here and there or better odds on the same line from a book that is mispriced relative to the rest of the market. This basically necessitates paying for software/services that can find these for you to be able to do it on a consistent basis, because mispriced markets don't last long, sometimes 30 seconds or less.
I'm currently up low 5 figures since I started for the SuperBowl this year. The vast majority of that is taking advantage of promotions (sign up, deposits, daily boosts, earning free bets) offered by the books and using the tools I mentioned above to maximize their return. On straight bets where I am beating closing line 68% of the time I'm barely up at all, which shows how difficult that is even with a clear edge. When "gambling" this way, it's probably closer to coupon shopping than actual sports wagering, because you don't bet what you think is going to happen, you bet where the best value is.
September 25th, 2022 at 9:06 PM ^
I love it. I find a lot more value in live betting, but you really have to love watching multiple games at once and multitasking. I never bet on or against Michigan, so I can keep that experience separate.
September 25th, 2022 at 9:08 PM ^
No. No interest in sports gambling. The extra money I have I try to save where I can, but betting on sports is a hard no.
Good luck to those here that do.
September 25th, 2022 at 9:11 PM ^
I am not a gambler by any means, but dropped $300 on Michigan @50-1 to win national title. As long as we're undefeated by OSU game I'll win money, because I'll hedge from that point on. I like my chances.
Considered dropping 20K on it to make 1M but by the time I got the balls, the line dropped to 30-1 and didn't want to chase it at that point.
September 25th, 2022 at 9:38 PM ^
So in other words you are kind of a big deal.
September 25th, 2022 at 9:55 PM ^
Yup, you definitely don’t sound like a gambler at all.
September 25th, 2022 at 11:31 PM ^
At game 11 you arent hedging a $20k bet going all the way to game 15. Youd have to bet an astronomical amount.
September 26th, 2022 at 7:20 AM ^
I wonder if he realizes he could make a lot more just betting on the moneyline each week and continue rolling over the winnings into the next bet...
September 26th, 2022 at 9:17 AM ^
I considered helping an orphaned classmate of my son's through college. Then I did it. Meanwhile, I watch and enjoy football games without any vanity of my own.
September 25th, 2022 at 9:15 PM ^
I bet my soul on Michigan every Saturday.
September 26th, 2022 at 4:46 AM ^
You’re having a good run. Keep it up. We appreciate you.
September 25th, 2022 at 9:17 PM ^
No one here makes a living off it unless they are the bookie.
September 25th, 2022 at 9:18 PM ^
I'm trying to have a more enjoyable relationship with sports. For that reason I don't put any money on it.
September 25th, 2022 at 9:21 PM ^
Nope. Don't have the money to lose.
September 25th, 2022 at 9:25 PM ^
What site did you use to make the bet?
Curious, as I’ve never done this before and was thinking earlier about making this same bet (but don’t know how).
September 25th, 2022 at 9:33 PM ^
No. To each their own. Sidenote: sports betting is not a personality. Feel like some people need to hear that.
September 25th, 2022 at 9:34 PM ^
No, I wouldn't get any enjoyment from it.
September 25th, 2022 at 9:35 PM ^
I like to call it “investing”. I also stay away from sparty at all cost and Michigan. When there is heart or dislike involved I stay away.
September 25th, 2022 at 9:37 PM ^
I do, it puts a little excitement in games for me.
As annoying as most of the world is, I am proud to say I live in a place and time where I can bet on sports from home safely and legally. I can have weed and almost anything to eat delivered to my door legally.
As for the MSU v MD line...I agree, I like turtles gif or whatever.
September 25th, 2022 at 9:39 PM ^
A little. Not legal here in MN. But I throw a few dollars on some games when I’m in a legal state. Never very much tho.
September 25th, 2022 at 9:40 PM ^
I never touch the stuff
September 25th, 2022 at 9:41 PM ^
Yes. My bankroll is less than 1% of my annual income so not trying to make a huge profit but just have fun and a rooting interest in games I’d otherwise be a neutral observer
September 25th, 2022 at 9:47 PM ^
Honestly kinda shocked by all the “No” votes so far. Thought it’d be much more split.
September 25th, 2022 at 9:47 PM ^
Gambling? No. Money is better "risked" on one's ability to start, rescue, or build a business, a career, an avocation, a trade, a family, a spouse's or a child's education/future, etc..
September 25th, 2022 at 10:49 PM ^
Don't forget hookers and blow
September 26th, 2022 at 1:17 AM ^
😁 You have guaranteed returns with hookers and nose candy, no?
September 25th, 2022 at 11:21 PM ^
Username kinda checks out.
September 25th, 2022 at 9:49 PM ^
I opened a sports betting app after I saw a promo. +200 curry and Klay Thompson both hit three 3 pointers in a game. They usually have that by half time, I lost. Both went 2 for 10+ shooting from the 3pt line.. That was the start and end of my betting career. I have a couple friends that are big sports bettors. They are miserable to watch games with. They grasp on very bad or missed call.
September 25th, 2022 at 9:50 PM ^
No. I'm pretty sure it would be my ruin.
September 25th, 2022 at 9:53 PM ^
Just for fun. If I ever have anything close to $100 worth of bets, something is wrong. It is just for fun. Normally i just place a bunch of 1 to 5 buck bets and see if at the end of the weekend I end up in the positive.
September 25th, 2022 at 10:04 PM ^
Yes, I do. Now tell me where you found MD -3.5. Circa opened at -4 and they are the sharpest book around. I’ve only found -7.5 on the apps I use
September 25th, 2022 at 10:34 PM ^
Agree. I saw it yesterday at 4 and now see it at 7.5 across multiple sites. Guess I should have jumped on it. I get the feeling Sparty's going to outperform though. If I were going to bet on this one I'd take the flier on MSU moneyline. I realize that's gross, but if they actually do get their shit together it may just be enough to win.
September 25th, 2022 at 10:49 PM ^
OP got a jump on an early line and that is one hell of a find. Sounds like he's been thinking about joining the degenerates club for a while, did so, now he's asking if he did the right thing. Haha. I kid but that's what it sounds like. My advice to the OP -- if you win then cash out and go buy yourself/family a nice dinner, or pay a bill, or give to charity, or whatever. Enjoy the money and be thankful that luck worked out positively for you. Run away. Don't bet again.
September 26th, 2022 at 8:04 AM ^
Found it on FanDuel. I've bet on games one time in Vegas and once during the NCAA tourney and that's it.
I'm quite responsible with money generally, so have no plans on being a degenerate. I contribute a healthy amount to retirement and 529s every month. Low-cost index funds are my drug of choice.