Thanks Winky, page 2 here.........
We've briefly touched on how the shootout will affect coaches and players, but how will it affect the sports books and their betting lines? Las Vegas bettors won't have many outs, as most books don't want any puck action, with some even going to great lengths to insult hockey fans and chase them away.
"Overall, I think this is going to be a great season for the books and the fans," said Jay Kornegay, Executive Director for the Las Vegas Hilton's Race and Sports Book. "Most, if not all of the rule changes were made with the fans in mind."
"In the past you had three different booking lines. Now, we're going to see one. It's going to be a lot like baseball with most of the games having money lines," said Jay. "Occasionally you'll see a -1.5 or a -2.5, but 95 percent [of lines] will be a money line. There will be no more -.5 games. This in turn should help the common sports book player understand the line and the betting side should increase the handle."
What Jay failed to mention is that using strictly a PICK line will also help the bookies that have no clue when it comes to booking hockey. Now they will have an excuse when posting only one line (the money line), and they won't be embarrassed when using excessive straddles.
As for totals, if there is a shootout, all books (Las Vegas and offshore) will be adding one goal to the result. For instance, if a game ends 2-2 after 65 minutes of play, the final score will always be posted as 3-2.
But not all bookies will be taking the lazy man's way out and putting up only one line. Many offshore books put up two (and sometimes three) different lines for hockey games. All sharp handicappers know that the bettor loses value on both sides when games have higher prices, so being able to pick between different lines gives a hockey bettor a big edge when looking for value.
Rich Baccellieri is a supervisor at The Palms Sports Book in Las Vegas, and he will also be using money lines similar to baseball lines.
"We are discussing putting up two lines for each game, the pick line and also a 1.5 goal line," said Rich. If we decide against that, we will definitely be using 1.5 goals on games that open pick -80 or higher. That will not only help the book, but will keep us from chasing away bettors who like to bet favorites."
The Palms will be using 20 cents lines (a rarity in Las Vegas) and will be taking up to one or two dimes on sides and $500 on totals. They will also be putting up propositions bets on selected games, and posting daily "The Grand Salami" (20 cent line).
"We are looking forward to hockey this year," said Rich, "especially since we can't carry the NBA."
But hockey bettors, especially old-time fans, aren't so sure that the shootout is a good thing. Hockey handicappers in Las Vegas know for the most part that shopping for prices is a waste of time, with only a handful of books offering value.
"If some books offer the half-puck line, with the result being official after 65 minutes, it might not be so bad," said one hockey handicapper. "But if the past is any indicator, offshore will continue to be the place to find more options."
The shootout also means results will become more random, as it (the shootout) will be impossible to handicap. Bettors needing a result after 65 minutes of a tied game might just as well flip a coin.
In summation, as for the shootout, the goalies will hate it; the shooters and the fans attending will love it. Bettors and fans of old-time hockey will hate it. Regardless, it is here for 2005/06, and don't be surprised if games going to the shootout increases to over 16%, as teams have already shown they don't mind playing for a tie and locking up the one point. What will sports news shows broadcast on the end-of-day highlights? Not the great passes or great checks, but the clips from the shootouts. And why do I feel that fans and bettors alike will long for the past when a tie wasn't such a bad result?<!-- / message --><!-- edit note -->