First off let me state that I appreciate Fez's contributions to this site, cause he usually gives great analysis, especially on the NFL. When I worked in a sportsbook in Vegas, he was one of the sharpest players around and was even banned from some places because of some parlay card system he had figured out.
But this recent anti-hockey diatribe is just assinine. No doubt the NHL is in trouble, and there's no arguing it has a very small wagering following in Vegas. But here in the northeast, or in the northern midwest & Canada betting on hockey is pretty big. And for me, I love to bet on hockey moneylines because similar to baseball, all the team has to do is win. And I'll tell you from experience, that these consultants providing #'s to the Vegas/Offshore sportsbooks couldn't tell you more than 2 players on any NHL squad. Some very soft #'s are available if you're paying attention, and I think that's why the majority of Vegas SB managers are afraid of it. I read a quote that Robert Walker of the Mirage would rather book the WNBA than book NHL hockey. What a pansy!!
Betting on NBA basketball is an absolute joke, and even though it's easier for the average person to understand the basic premise of the Lakers being a 7 point favorite, there's also a reason the sportsbooks clean up on the NBA. It's freaking impossible!! Even if you have the game handicapped correctly for the first 47 minutes, the chances of a backdoor cover/loss are still huge.
I have no problem with handicappers offering their opinions on different sports, but to disparage a sport just because you don't understand the game is wrong. For me I'll take my "soccer on skates" as Fez calls it, any day of the week.
See ya after the lockout, at the Imperial Palace for Wednesday Night Hockey chasers and $1 beers.
But this recent anti-hockey diatribe is just assinine. No doubt the NHL is in trouble, and there's no arguing it has a very small wagering following in Vegas. But here in the northeast, or in the northern midwest & Canada betting on hockey is pretty big. And for me, I love to bet on hockey moneylines because similar to baseball, all the team has to do is win. And I'll tell you from experience, that these consultants providing #'s to the Vegas/Offshore sportsbooks couldn't tell you more than 2 players on any NHL squad. Some very soft #'s are available if you're paying attention, and I think that's why the majority of Vegas SB managers are afraid of it. I read a quote that Robert Walker of the Mirage would rather book the WNBA than book NHL hockey. What a pansy!!
Betting on NBA basketball is an absolute joke, and even though it's easier for the average person to understand the basic premise of the Lakers being a 7 point favorite, there's also a reason the sportsbooks clean up on the NBA. It's freaking impossible!! Even if you have the game handicapped correctly for the first 47 minutes, the chances of a backdoor cover/loss are still huge.
I have no problem with handicappers offering their opinions on different sports, but to disparage a sport just because you don't understand the game is wrong. For me I'll take my "soccer on skates" as Fez calls it, any day of the week.
See ya after the lockout, at the Imperial Palace for Wednesday Night Hockey chasers and $1 beers.
