Best Bets to Win the 2011 NBA Title

It’s NBA playoff time and what better way to get into the action than by throwing down some wagers on the teams you think can take down the title.   Will LeBron’s ”Decision” pay off?  Will the old guard Celtics prove they are still the class of the East?  Is Derrick Rose poised to take his team all the way to the Finals?  Are Kobe and the Lakers ready to get to the finals for an amazing fourth straight year?  Do the Spurs have anything left in the tank?  Will Dallas finally make Mark Cuban’s dreams come true?  It should be an interesting ride…

Here are the odds to win the 2010/11 NBA championship according to sportsbook.com.

THE FAVORITES

L.A. LAKERS  2:1

The Lakers will be looking to post another Three-Peat for Phil Jackson, but in order to do so they will have return to the finals for an unprecedented fourth year in a row.   When Kobe gets going they are near impossible to stop, but a recent injury scare to Andrew Bynum has fans worried (isn’t he hurt EVERY year come playoff time?) and the West is brimming with young talent looking to break through.  I’m of the school to never bet against the best player in the league (which Kobe still may be), but that doesn’t mean I’ll bet on him at such little value.  I’ll pass.

CHICAGO BULLS  5:2  

Derrick Rose has put this Bulls team on his back all year and willed them to victory after victory.  He reminds me of DeWayne Wade when he willed the Heat to the title under Pat Riley.  But Wade had Shaq (back when he was relevant) and while Rose has a decent supporting cast, there is no Robin to his Batman.  In the playoffs you need that 1-2 punch and I’m afraid the Bulls will only go as far as Rose takes them.  Rose will win championships in the future (remember, had he stayed in school at Memphis, he would be a SENIOR this year), but I don’t see it happening this year.

MIAMI HEAT  7:2  

When LeBron told Jim Grey that he was taking his talents to South Beach, the NBA had an instant villain.  The Heat were now the team that everyone wanted to see go down in flames.  Well, the fans got their wish for the first half of the season.  The Heat were an ordinary team that couldn’t figure out how to make use of their Big Three stars.  The second half has been a different story.  Chris Bosh has been playing well and LeBron and Wade are figuring out how to be great together.  The playoffs are a time for stars to shine and Miami is loaded with them.  If their supporting cast can give them anything at all, look for the Heat to do some damage and make a run at the title.

STAY AWAYS

SAN ANTONIO SPURS  9:2  

The Spurs are the #1 seed in the West and have home court advantage throughout the playoffs.  They have experience and have won titles before with the same core group.  So why are they not the favorites?  Well, for one thing, they are old.  Tim Duncan is a shell of his old self and Tony Parker isn’t the same player post-Eva.  The Spurs may look enticing at these odds, but the books are just trying to lure you in.  They will have a tough time getting past Memphis in Round 1.

BOSTON CELTICS  7:1  

Maybe I should change the title of the article to “Stay Away from the Old Guys.”  Boston is another team that just looks tired.  The Kendrick Perkins trade crippled them as now they have to count on 65 year old Shaquille O’Neal to play like its 1999.  Pierce and Garnett are tough enough to will these guys to some wins and Rondo has the talent to win some playoff series but this team is not winning a title this year.  As much as everyone wants to see Shaq vs. Kobe in the Finals, it’s not gonna happen.

CINDERELLA 

OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER  12:1  

Kevin Durant’s squad is poised to take the next step and announce their presence with authority.  After giving the Lakers all they could handle in the playoffs last year, the Thunder are poised to win a rematch this year.  While the loss of Perkins crushed the Celtics, it made the Thunder legit title contenders and my choice to represent the West in the Finals.

MY PICKS

EAST:

• Bulls over Pacers
• Heat over Sixers
• Celtics over Knicks
• Magic over Hawks

• Bulls over Magic
• Heat over Celtics

• Heat over Bulls

WEST: 

• Spurs over Grizzlies (barely)
• Lakers over Hornets
• Blazers over Mavs
• Thunder over Nuggets

• Thunder over Spurs
• Lakers over Blazers

• Thunder over Lakers (ESPN instant classic series)

CHAMPIONSHIP:

• Thunder over Heat in 6

Follow Casino Steve on Twitter (@casinosteve21) or email him at casinosteve21@yahoo.com.

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Spice Up The Masters With Some Prop Bets

Some people look at the Masters golf tournament in Augusta, GA as the pinnacle of golf and the best weekend of the year.  Some people consider it about as exciting as watching the paint dry on their neighbor’s house.  Whichever group you fall in, I’ve got a few wagers to make this weekend a little more interesting.

All odds according to Bodog.com.

Odds to win the Masters:

• Phil Mickelson  6:1
• Tiger Woods  8:1
• Lee Westwood  14:1
• Nick Watney 14:1
• Dustin Johnson  20:1
• Martin Kaymer  22:1
• Luke Donald  25:1

If you don’t see your favorite player or your pick to win it, their odds are higher than the guys listed and will offer some great value.  Check out Kaymer, the world’s #1 ranked golfer, at 22:1.  Westwood, ranked #2, at 14:1 may also be too good to pass up.  But as the books know, it all comes down to Tiger and Phil at Augusta.

Where will Tiger Woods opening tee shot come to rest?

• Fairway 1:1
• Rough  2:1
• Bunker  8:1

I got fairway.

What will be the highest single round score?

• Over/Under 85.5

Gotta go over, plus how fun is it to root for these awesome golfers to play like schmucks, even for just one round.

Will Tiger Woods run over any fire hydrants on his way to Augusta?

• Yes  4:1
• No  1:1

Ok, I made that one up…

What type of golf ball will the winner play?

• Titleist  4:5
• Taylor Made  7:2
• Nike  5:1
• Callaway  5:1

For the record, Tiger plays Nike balls and Mickelson plays Callaway.

Good luck with these and any other wagers you may make.  I’m calling a fourth Masters win for Phil Mickelson with Tiger showing flashes of his old self but not quite putting it all together yet.  My longshot to give Phil a run is Jhonnatan Vegas (how can you NOT root for that guy) at 125:1 odds.

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5 Ways To Get Hooked Up At The Casino [GAMBLING]

The casino business is built around getting millions of suckers (that would be you) to fork over their money while thinking they have a shot to win; it’s as simple as that.  The casinos know that if they get you to sit down for an extended period, you’ll walk out a loser.  And for the small percentage that actually win, you’ll be back shortly to give all your hard-earned winnings back. So how can the savvy player – which CAN be you, if you heed my advice – take advantage of this and get hooked up at their favorite joint? Find out by following 5 ways to get some serious hook ups at the casino!

1. Don’t Be A Dick

Sounds simple, right?  But more than half of the people who play at a casino think they deserve something.  As much as the casino will cater to high rollers (which isn’t you quite yet), they don’t make a habit of giving out $100 dinners to players who lose fifty bucks playing $5 roulette – especially if they are rude. So be nice to the supervisor and tip the dealer often; they are the ones who will go to bat for you with the pit boss (the one who ultimately decides if you are comp-worthy) if you’re friendly.

2. Ask For A Comp On Your Birthday

I have never seen a pit boss turn down a player for a comp on his or her birthday.  It’s a no-brainer for the house: the player gets fat and liquored-up and inevitably is playing $100 blackjack at 2 a.m. while whining to their friends about how they’re a year older.

3. Ask For A Comp On Your First Visit

Remember, when you walk down that marble floor for the first time, the house has no idea who you are or how much you play.  Pit bosses will always give the benefit of the doubt to a new player.  Take advantage and enjoy your free steak.

4. Don’t Ask For A Comp When It’s Busy

Put yourself in the shoes of the pit boss: it’s Saturday night and the joint is jamming.  You have several big players in your pit who want attention and huge beef on the craps table where everyone wants to get paid, which nobody deserves. While you’re trying to sort this mess out, a guy with a ten-dollar average wants a comp to the high-end steakhouse.  How fast would you tell him to piss off?

5. Visit Mid-Week And Off-Season

On the weekends, the vast majority of hotels in Vegas and Atlantic City are packed to the rafters, not a room to be had. But on a Tuesday night – especially in the winter? You have a great chance of getting a free room.  Remember, the casinos will do what they can to get you in there.  If they have empty rooms, they will look to fill them with any kind of player who is willing to drink, gamble and lose their hard-earned cash. That’s pretty much you in a nutshell, friend.

For more betting and/or gambling tips, be sure to follow CasinoSteve on Twitter (@CasinoSteve21) or email him questions at casinosteve21@yahoo.com.

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Kemba Walker & UConn Will Dougie To Victory Against Butler [BETTING]

After reaching an amazing second championship game in two years, Butler has become America’s darling.  A real Cinderella story that’s proved last year was definitely not a fluke.  They came within an inch or two of knocking off powerhouse Duke for the title last year and will look to avenge that loss tonight by taking down another perennial powerhouse, Connecticut.

When the early lines came out Saturday night, some houses had UConn as 4 point favorites.  That number was quickly bet down to 3.5 and now sits at 3 on the morning of the big game.  All this shows is that most of the money bet so far has been on Butler to cover.  A solid rule in sports gambling is to see which way everyone is betting and to take the other side.  This is one reason I’m predicting a UConn victory.

Another major reason is a young man named Kemba Walker.  He has been playing out of his mind all year and especially since the Big East tournament started.  Kemba just finds ways to will his team to win and I don’t see him losing his focus tonight.  Butler’s Shelvin Mack and Matt Howard are fantastic players, but there will be no doubt who the best player on the floor is tonight and Walker will look to confirm this when he raises the trophy for Most Outstanding Player of the tournament.

UConn knows what kind of history is at stake tonight.  If Butler wins, they will go down as one of the best stories in college basketball history, leaving the Huskies as a footnote.  But Connecticut has won ten straight elimination games, and winning the eleventh tonight would leave a legacy for generations to come.  I expect a fantastic game, with UConn pulling away at the end and cutting down the nets.

My Pick:  UConn 66, Butler 59

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5 Must-Follows For The Sports Bettor On Twitter

Twitter has changed the world. It has given anonymous folks instant access into the hearts and minds of their favorite celebrities.  Most people use it for amusement, but the savvy individual has learned you can gain information and make some money by following the right people. Betting on sports and gambling in casinos are both areas where every advantage counts. Everyone is looking for an edge, and the following list of people just might give it to you.  Just click the “+Follow” and try to reap the rewards from the constant flow of information.

@chadmillman

ESPN’s main man for everything related to sports gambling.  Chad tweets about moves in the daily lines and lets you know where the public is dumping their money and how the sharps are reacting.  His weekend tweets during college football and NFL season can be a great resource to the football bettor.

@VegasRunner

A pro sports bettor and occasional blackjack pro from Las Vegas.  He tweets free picks and shares stories from his years of experience.  A great follow due to his many opinions and his wealth of experience.  You won’t be disappointed.

@RJinVegas

The CEO of pregame.com, a leader in providing information to the sports gambler.  RJ Bell has appeared on all sorts of media outlets, including ESPN, talking all things sports betting.  He tweets about his own wagers, gives insider information and stories, and of course, free pick videos.  Also check out his cohort at pregame.com, @MarcoinVegas.

 

@CoversSports

The team from covers.com provides a ridiculous wealth of information to the bettor.  From trends to best and worst bets to umpire and referee assignments, you must follow these guys to stay well-informed.  They will provide you with information you didn’t even know you needed.

@teddy_covers

Teddy Sevransky is a well-respected professional sports bettor in Las Vegas.  He hosts a radio show and is Chad Millman’s go-to guy when he needs the opinions of the sharp bettor community.  He is a must follow for anyone interested in inside Vegas information.

Here’s a bonus follow for you all (WARNING!! Shameless Self-Promotion Upcoming!!!)….

@casinosteve21

Steve works in the casino industry in Atlantic City and will be posting on COED (@coedmagazine on Twitter) about sports gambling and casino gambling.  Make sure to follow for inside info and answers to all your casino-related questions.  (Shameless Self-Promotion Over)

Enjoy, and be sure to let me know who I missed in the comments section below.  Happy Tweetin’!

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Best Bets To Win The World Series [MLB]

The 2011 MLB season starts Thursday, March 31 at 1 p.m.  Before C.C. Sabathia throws out the first pitch of the season on ESPN, take some time to get your bets in on the outcome of the World Series in October.  A small wager now can pay off big time and it adds excitement to watching your team all year. Here are a few of the teams to consider, along with their odds to win it all according to bodog.com.

THE FAVORITES

Philadelphia Phillies, 13 to 4. At just over 3 to 1 odds, the Phillies offer little value unless you were sure they were raise the World Series trophy in October.  And with the offense in flux and Chase Utley on the shelf for a significant portion of the season, they just don’t seem like the lock they did when they signed Cliff Lee.

Boston Red Sox, 9 to 2. They seem like the reverse of the Philadelphia situation, as they bolstered their offense (seriously, Pedroia may hit 9th?!?) but didn’t really address their starting pitching.  Lester is a stud at the top of the rotation, but after that they are riddled with question marks on their staff.  Sure they could slug their way to the Series, but I wouldn’t bet on it.

New York Yankees, 7 to 1. Always among the favorites, the Yankees could offer some value this year as most experts doubt their pitching staff.  Keep in mind that the Yankees never shy away from spending money and will do what it takes to add a big arm mid-season.  If this happens, the Bronx Bombers would be considered favorites again and your 7 to 1 will be looking pretty.

VALUE PICKS

San Fransisco Giants, 11 to 1. The defending champs return essentially the same team and pitching staff that took home the title last year and at 11 to 1 offer tremendous value.  They’ll have to out-pitch Philadelphia, but they did that last year and could very well do it again.

St. Louis Cardinals, 20 to 1. Tony LaRussa’s squad is always a contender come playoff time and with Albert Pujols playing for the biggest contract in history and Matt Holliday being his usual solid self, they seem like a great bet at 20 to 1.  The Wainwright injury hurts, but they are fortunate to have another ace in Chris Carpenter and if the rest of the staff can step up, they should be in the mix in October.

Atlanta Braves, 25 to 1. The Braves improved from last year and there are rumblings from experts that they could possibly overtake Philly for the division.  If not, they look poised for the wild card and offer great value at 25 to 1.

STAY AWAY

Milwaukee Brewers, 16 to 1. Rule number one of sports betting is to stay away from the trendy pick and the Brewers fit that description.  The experts are saying this could be their year as their offense can rake and they added Grienke and Marcum to bolster their staff.  Unfortunately those guys tend to be injury risks and both have had issues already this spring.  The Brewers can make some noise, but I’d have their odds closer to 25 to 1, making them a poor value.

LONG SHOTS

You can look like a genius if a team comes from nowhere to win it all and you show your friends your longshot betting slip.  Throw some small bets on these teams who have significant flaws, but enough upside to give them a shot.  Hey, if VCU can Butler in the Final Four, anything can happen…

Baltimore Orioles, 75 to 1.

Oakland A’s, 30 to 1.

Washington Nationals, 80 to 1.

L.A. Dodgers, 35 to 1.

For more betting and/or gambling tips, be sure to follow CasinoSteve on Twitter (@CasinoSteve21) or email him questions at casinosteve21@yahoo.com.

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