Sports gambling goes mainstream

Headlines in todays usa today sports section:


Bettors putting cash on Kaepernick, 49ers

Josh Nagel, USA TODAY Sports10:09p.m. EST January 17, 2013

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(Photo: Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY Sports)
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• 49ers enter NFC title game as high as 4 1/2-point favorites vs. Falcons
• Vegas oddsmaker: Kaepernick 'just means more money on the 49ers. And rightfully so'
• Had 49ers struggled and Falcons rolled, chances are game would've opened as pick 'em

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Colin Kaepernick galloped past the Green Bay Packers and into the NFL record books last weekend. Now, he's burning up the betting boards.
His four-touchdown performance propelled the San Francisco 49ers to a 45-31 win against the Packers and into Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the Atlanta Falcons. In the process, the second-year quarterback drove up the price for gamblers who want to bet that he'll lead the 49ers to Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans.
San Francisco opened as a three-point favorite — rare for a visitor in a conference championship game. A flood of cash on the 49ers quickly moved the spread to 4 1/2. Thursday's line in most betting parlors was four.
PICKS: How does championship weekend unfold?
"We all knew they were pretty good," said Las Vegas oddsmaker Jimmy Vaccaro, public relations director for William Hill and its 75 Nevada sportsbooks. "Now you throw this kid in there who is energizing the process, and it just means more money on the 49ers. And rightfully so. How high can it go? I don't know."
Kaepernick shook off a first-quarter interception and threw for 263 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed 16 times for 181 yards — a single-game record by an NFL quarterback — and two more TDs. His 56-yard touchdown run in the third quarter put the 49ers ahead for good.
The 49ers were three-point favorites against the Packers, a cautious spread that drew many bettors to favor the Packers, probably in large part because of Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers' edge in experience over Kaepernick.
5 STORY LINES: 49ers-Falcons
But professional gamblers put their faith in Kaepernick and took advantage of the short odds on the 49ers. They were rewarded with a winning ticket. But they will have to look hard to find a crack in the line against the Falcons, who beat the Seattle Seahawks 30-28.
"There's no value on the 49ers," said Bay Area-based NFL handicapper Dennis Ranahan, who posted a 14-3 record this season picking games against the spread in the Reno Gazette-Journal. "This week's spread is highly affected by last week's play from Kaepernick."
Football bettors have short memories, particularly in the playoffs, where a team's performance in the previous week's game tends to influence their next wagering decision. Sports betting executives counter this reaction by posting aggressive lines on the popular team, in an effort to draw wagers on both sides.

"Football bettors have short memories, particularly in the playoffs, where a team's performance in the previous week's game tends to influence their next wagering decision"

Goddamnit they figured out my capping

so we should be on the falcons??

RudyRuetigger said:

so we should be on the falcons??

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Yep +5 on the home dog is probably not a bad bet. 49ers win by field goal.

RudyRuetigger said:

so we should be on the falcons??

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Sounds like Betonline's email to me this week....


Dear Moron (lol),

By far the two most popular bets for this weekend’s NFL Conference Championship games are the 49ers covering the four points they are giving the Falcons, and the Ravens upsetting the Patriots.*
Only 27% of the early bettors think Matt Ryan and the Falcons will do something they’ve failed to do in their last three playoff games – cover the spread. Meanwhile, nine out of every ten AFC Championship money-line bets are on the Ravens (+315). Which sides are you on?




So they want MORE money on San Fran or they want us to bet opposite like a Fake sharp?

hno:

-murph

49er and Kap fever is everywhere that's for sure - hot item of the week. I wont be betting on the niners but may get in some action on the O/U !

hard to find justification on betting niners now

Murphy8276 said:

Sounds like Betonline's email to me this week....


Dear Moron (lol),

By far the two most popular bets for this weekend’s NFL Conference Championship games are the 49ers covering the four points they are giving the Falcons, and the Ravens upsetting the Patriots.*
Only 27% of the early bettors think Matt Ryan and the Falcons will do something they’ve failed to do in their last three playoff games – cover the spread. Meanwhile, nine out of every ten AFC Championship money-line bets are on the Ravens (+315). Which sides are you on?




So they want MORE money on San Fran or they want us to bet opposite like a Fake sharp?

hno:

-murph

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I didn't mean to call you a Moron :grandmais

CaPPiNg TiGeRz said:

49er and Kap fever is everywhere that's for sure - hot item of the week. I wont be betting on the niners but may get in some action on the O/U !

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I already bet both games Over...

Betallsports said:

I didn't mean to call you a Moron :grandmais

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LMAO

I was gonna cross that out to avoid embarrassment.. but I felt like we are all sheep in one way or another of the books and vegas anyway

-murph

does the usa today normally talk about wagering on sports, i cant remember ever seeing it before?

"San Francisco opened as a three-point favorite — rare for a visitor in a conference championship game. A flood of cash on the 49ers quickly moved the spread to 4 1/2. Thursday's line in most betting parlors was four."