Betting on Televised Games
by Bodog Sportsbook | Jul 17 2007
Let's face facts. Watching sports on TV is entertainment for just about every person that is reading this. Wagering is also a form of entertainment for the majority of bettors. Therefore it is logical to conclude that betting on sports events that are on TV is a double pleasure for most fans, and indeed this is the case.
On any given weekend there are 40-45 college football games and 14-16 in the NFL, a total of roughly 60. As book managers we spend equal time on just about every game because we have to. We are going to take bets on every game so all the lines must be as accurate as possible. If you go through yourself and handicap each game, you will find that you have opinions on a lot of games. Perhaps you will see 15-20 games where you say to yourself, "Gee, I thought that spread would be higher," etc. Of those, maybe you have a "strong" feeling on five to ten and those are the ones you choose to bet.
However, many players seem to start their handicapping with the TV guide as they only bet televised games. This must be the case or else the 10-12 nationally televised games wouldn't account for 50% of our handle each weekend. I understand the desire to have a play in on any game you are going to watch, and that is great if you consider betting merely a form of entertainment, but in my opinion that is the wrong approach to handicapping for profit. Don't limit your bet selections to just televised games and don't bet every televised game if you want to be profitable in the long run.
If you want to have a play in for a big TV game (and I know how much more exciting a 21-3 game is when the spread is 17 and the dog has the ball late!) take some time to consider options other than the spread or the total. Just as there are a wide variety of games to choose from on any given weekend, there are also a wide variety of wagers to choose from for each game. Have a look at lines for the first half and at halftime. Look through the list of player/team Props that most books offer for TV games. Consider making a play for less than your typical bet amount if the play is for entertainment only. The bottom line is they play the National Anthem every day and the Super Bowl is just another football game. Keep each game you are betting on in perspective and you will be a more profitable bettor at the end of the season.
Bet on Televised Games at Bodog Sportsbook!
However, many players seem to start their handicapping with the TV guide as they only bet televised games. This must be the case or else the 10-12 nationally televised games wouldn't account for 50% of our handle each weekend. I understand the desire to have a play in on any game you are going to watch, and that is great if you consider betting merely a form of entertainment, but in my opinion that is the wrong approach to handicapping for profit. Don't limit your bet selections to just televised games and don't bet every televised game if you want to be profitable in the long run. 
