There are lot of precuations that can be taken to minimize the risk-- most importantly, I would never middle unless both parts were already in place (the process should not take more than 30 seconds if you have money in both accounts and both screens are up)-- but, if the second line changes at the last second, I cut my losses. I would rather eat the vig than risk a wager I would not have made otherwise.
Whenever I middle I make sure to take the side I like better first, so if the line changes in the 30-second interval I can keep a net bet on the side I prefer. If my normal bet is 1 unit, I would try a middle for 4 units and if the line changes I take the other side for 2 units leaving me with 2 units of eaten vig plus a 2-unit bet on the side I prefer.
But usually I don't do the middle thing. I like to think the side I prefer has an advantage and the other side has a disadvantage, despite the middle. To make it worthwhile you have to make really big bets and that draws attention to yourself, gets you banned etc. Not worth it IMO.
But usually I don't do the middle thing. I like to think the side I prefer has an advantage and the other side has a disadvantage, despite the middle. To make it worthwhile you have to make really big bets and that draws attention to yourself, gets you banned etc. Not worth it IMO.
I agree w/ betting the side you like first, but my first consideration would be to take the line that is the biggest abberation. I never middle a game if I like one side strongly enough to bet. That may be vain, but I can't stand the idea of getting nothing from a bet I would have won. I have only been busted once, but, as a general rule, you're right, middleing, or any other form of arbing, for that matter, is more trouble than it is worth.
General - true story, I ate the vig today on Pitt - 8.5 and Alabama +9.5, was wrong on what I thought was a sustained move - saw the score about 10 minutes ago, paid 20-1. So sometimes a blind hog roots out an acorn every now and then.
moral: sometimes you eat the vig, and sometimes you don't
moral: sometimes you eat the vig, and sometimes you don't
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by The General:
Jazz,
You say you ate the vig? That confused me Sir. Did you get the middle win?
If so.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
General, I don't think he won. I think he did the correct thing and got off the play (ate the vig). Yes it would have won in this case had he stuck with it but if you play Q9 enough hands that will win a pot here and there too.
Jazz,
You say you ate the vig? That confused me Sir. Did you get the middle win?
If so.
General, I don't think he won. I think he did the correct thing and got off the play (ate the vig). Yes it would have won in this case had he stuck with it but if you play Q9 enough hands that will win a pot here and there too.
A good rule of thumb would be to not middle. Ever since Don best came along, and everyone knows what the current worldwide line is in "real time", big variations are nonexistent. Trying to middle today is virtually futile. All of the old time middlers out of Vegas have gone on to new ways to make $$$$$$$$$. (They simply tap Billy Walters' phone).
General and Pat:
Sorry for any confusion - thought I was clear. I simply meant when I covered the -8.5 with the +9.5 that I THOUGHT I was eating the vig on that - I certainly didn't expect them to cover by exactly 9. Meaning, I had no intention of keeping the -8.5 uncovered - at the time, I simply accepted the probable loss and 'ate the vig'. But when they did win by exactly 9, I won both bets, which surprised the shit out of me but was also a nice surprise.
Sorry for any confusion - thought I was clear. I simply meant when I covered the -8.5 with the +9.5 that I THOUGHT I was eating the vig on that - I certainly didn't expect them to cover by exactly 9. Meaning, I had no intention of keeping the -8.5 uncovered - at the time, I simply accepted the probable loss and 'ate the vig'. But when they did win by exactly 9, I won both bets, which surprised the shit out of me but was also a nice surprise.
