Gambling terminology 101 question

Iceman · Jan 18, 2006

2 questions about the word steam. I know what it means i just want to make sure that i understand how it is being used in sentances.

1) When someone get's booted from a book for betting steam, they should really say they are betting aganist steam. Is this correct? Example: Chicago is -4 and the game gets "steamed" to -2.5, than guys who are betting the +4 at slow moving books are not necceasarily betting steam, are they? What is the correct way to say this? chasing steam?

2) When people say you should bet the steam in this above example. They mean you should be betting the +4 (at the slow moving book) or the -2.5 at the majority of books have moved on to.
Thanks, just trying to get everyhting straight so i don't post this wrong next time and get more confused.

Santo · Jan 18, 2006

1) Yes, chasing stream
2) The 4 is the number you're looking to get, -2.5 is the "buyback" if you will

Iceman · Jan 18, 2006

So when someone says "bet the steam" you should do what to bet the steam(+4 or -2.5)?

Doug · Jan 18, 2006

You want the old +4 which you won't be able to get anymore.

blueedwards · Jan 18, 2006

probably "betting into a bad or old number" is the more accurate way of saying it.

Iceman · Jan 18, 2006

Okay. Makes a lot more sense (betting bad #). Just wanted to make sure I'm on the same "level" as you guys. Thanks

quantumleap · Jan 18, 2006

You can also bet steam on the odds. For example, if Pinnacle has the moneyline on a bet at -110 and it quickly goes to -127 (halftime bets can do this) it is being "steamed". If you can find another book that hasn't moved and is still at -110 you can bet into that number. Whether that is going to be the team that will win is up for debate.

Insiders · Jan 19, 2006

NO one gets chased for betting steam teams as the number as Already been adjusted and those folks are takeing the worst of the number anyway.
Sure if you could get the +4 that would be GREAT, but that aint gonna happend as some offshore joints move on "air" anyway. Do you honestly think that they ALL dont have the Don Best screen and are looking stright at it?

Iceman · Jan 19, 2006

I know they all move but I have found a few that don't move on "air" and I am not totally sure why they don't. But I have a few ways to bet some stale numbers