Why?

I have not been a member on this site for very long, but I have seen a couple of things over and over......

1. This is a group of sophisticated gamblers that really seem to know what is going on in the gambling world.

2. Most people agree that it is absurd to lay some of the OVERLY LARGE money line prices that books put out on favorites....they say they would never take them.

3. People, that I considered to have the world by the balls, seem to pipe in and say that it is GOOD TO USE THOSE BIG FAVORITE MONEY LINES IN PARLAYS.

Are they kidding. Can someone please explain to these people that this DOES NOT make the money line any more appetizing. In fact, you are simply wagering on it....and then reinvesting that money. Why do intelligent people keep saying this? I feel like I am taking crazy pills!

You are correct. If Play #1 is bad and Play #2 is bad, parlaying them does not make it good.

It makes sense only in terms of preserving bankrolls. Many people drink the "Kool Aid" when it comes to baseball betting. Instead of doing it with their head screwed on right, they take shots at it haphazardly and when it finally catches up to them they say screw baseball, no one can win doing this.

The way generally smart people go about it is they put a bunch of favorites on a parlay when they are warranted. Say you see a team that is -220, but you feel should be -350. You don't want to take the big risk, which could mean a loss of two units. You don't want to do the proper thing, bet one unit because you win less than half a unit. If you see a couple of games to tie together you can avoid these issues. Note in the end there is nothing magical about it. Chances are your returns on them are going to be very modest. The thing is big favorites when played right are profitable, but they require more discretion. Further they require you not to assume anything. I know a lot of guys that will find a big favorite they like the value on, but then toss it together with what seems the "obvious" play of the night. Problem is the obvious play may not have any value in it. Something like the Cards playing at home against the Rockies, the player might not even bother capping it correctly just saying I want to get in a parlay with my good value with what appears the sure thing. That is the biggest mistake you can make. If you have done your work and can say the Cards are a good deal at the price then go ahead and make the parlay. Don't assume it though.

That is a good reply WildBill....I agree 100%. However on this site people seem say that they would "never lay such a price" However they would throw it in a parlay....much like you just said. That does not make any sense. You are still getting them at that price when you throw them in a parlay. I do not understand why people can say that SO OFTEN and no one seems to combat that way of thinking. For a group of intelligent gamblers....that is NONSENSE.

I recently posted about this myself as I know it is one major flaw in my baseball betting strategy. I follow many different system however in baseball and sometimes it is neccasary for me to play a large favorite (-150 or higher) and I will not allow myself to just not play it, so I for some reason feel better putting them in a parlay even though I know it is not a good idea.

This is a great question!!!

WildBill & D2B both have great points-but I'm hung up on convincing myself that it's worth putting the big favs in a parlay when they aren't worth straight plays.