East Coast Gambler

It seemed as if the state of New Jersey was going to fight to get sports betting legalized a few months back.  Well, today Governor Chris Christie decided not to move the efforts forward.

“At this time, given the unprecedented economic crisis and other challenges facing the state, the governor has determined that the state’s limited resources would be better utilized by focusing on other, more immediate issues facing the citizens of New Jersey,” (Jeff) Chiesa wrote.

A Christie spokesman, Michael Drewniak, said “there were just too many steep legal hurdles to clear, and it would at best be a legal long shot.”

I’ll never understand politics anywhere, let alone New Jersey.  New Jersey is in dire need of income to keep balancing its budgets, so it seems strange that the state is turning away from a possible new income stream.

I expect this to be looked at by the state again in the near future.

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I was checking the 2010 NBA Draft Prop bets last night and found some interesting opportunities and figured I’d share them.  I love the NBA draft because it’s right after the end of the season and followed closely by free agency.  This is the time where the losing teams get ready to turn things around for next year.  I find building the team as much fun as playing the season.

Odds are from sportsbook,com.  click any prop to get to sportsbook.

2010 NBA Draft – Derrick Favors – He will play his first NBA Regular Season Game for
Nets -200
Any Other Team +150

2010 NBA Draft – Wesley Johnson – He will play his first NBA Regular Season Game for
Twolves -130
Any Other Team -110

2010 NBA Draft – John Wall – He will play his first NBA Regular Season Game for
Wizards -1000
Any Other Team +550

2010 NBA Draft – Evan Turner – He will play his first NBA Regular Season Game for
76ers -300
Any Other Team +200

Wesley Johnson – Over/Under Draft Position
Draft Position
Over 4.5 (+140)
Draft Position
Under 4.5 (-190)

DeMarcus Cousins – Over/Under Draft Position
Draft Position
Over 4.5 (-180)
Draft Position
Under 4.5 (+130)

Read the rest of this entry →

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I present you with odds to win the FIFA World Cup that begins this week.  I know less about national teams than I do about the specific leagues, which isn’t much.  Because of my lack of knowledge here I would stick with the favorites, but that’s no fun.

The USA at 80-1 could be fun, but no team from this side of the world has ever won the World Cup so I don’t see that as a reality.  Here are the odds from sportsbook.com all based on a moneyline of 100.  For example Argentina is 6.5-1.

Algeria +75000
Argentina +650
Australia +17500
Brazil +450
Cameroon +12500
Chile +8000
Denmark +12500
England +700
France +2000
Germany +1200
Ghana +12500
Greece +25000
Holland +900
Honduras +100000
Italy +1600
Ivory Coast +5000
Japan +60000
Mexico +8000
New Zealand +250000
Nigeria +15000
North Korea +200000
Paraguay +10000
Portugal +2800
Serbia +5000
Slovakia +40000
Slovenia +50000
South Africa +15000
South Korea +30000
Spain +375
Switzerland +30000
USA +8000
Uruguay +12500

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Yesterday, Disney announced that they would be closing most of the ESPN Zone restaurants across the country.

It’s unclear what has prompted Disney to close the establishments, although the bars may well be a casualty of the recession. A poll released in March by AlixPartners found that 30% of consumers planned to eat out less frequently, and spend less per meal than they did the year before.

I understand why people would shy away from a bar/restaurant that charges a bit more for average bar food and drinks.  I happen to like the ESPN Zone’s that I’ve been to and there’s always something inside me that wants to install a TV in my bathroom after every visit.

Specifically, I’ve had a great time at the Las Vegas location inside of NYNY.  The NYNY sportsbook is almost non-existent, so I have to imagine that MGM will find another name to slap on the ESPN Zone and re-brand it as something similar to Legasse Stadium at the Palazzo.  I’m thinking that MGM’s relationship with the Light Group will come into play here, but I’m not sure how just yet.

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I like to bet of sports and baseball season is all about moneyline betting.  Things are just getting rolling in baseball so I figured it would be a good time to touch on what a moneyline is.  Moneyline betting is basic for me because I bet on sports regularly, but I get asked often “what’s up with the pluses and minuses.” I’ll break it down as easily as I can.

Moneyline is a simple bet as there is no worry about point spreads.  You’re just picking winners.

The moneyline is based around $100.  For example, +200 means you will win $200 if you bet $100.  If the moneyline is -200, you must bet $200 to win $100.  I’ll get a little more specific:

Favorites
Moneyline favorites usually come with a minus next to their name.  For example if the Yankees are -190 you would have bet $190 to win $100.

Underdog
The underdog usually has a plus next to their name.  For example if the Red Sox are +150 against the Yankees you bet $100 to win $150.

It’s pretty simple when you’re looking at head to head moneyline sports bets.  The same form holds true if you’re betting on a race or multi-participant event (golf, NASCAR, etc.)

Tiger Woods -150
Phil Mickleson +500

Clearly Tiger Woods is favored over Phil Mickleson.  Mickleson is 5-1.  Pretty long odds.  A $150 bet on Tiger would give you returns of $100, while $100 on Phil would return $500.

Moneyline betting doesn’t take center stage for all sports.  Basketball and football are more about the spreads while baseball and hockey are more focused on the moneyline.

Hopefully this helped simplify how to make a moneyline bet.

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Recently I stopped off at the Amphora Lounge at Borgata in Atlantic City and found it to be a little less awesome than it used to be.

My favorite part of the Amphora Lounge was the lounge area with giant recliners and a wall full of giant TV’s.  When I visited the Amphora Lounge a few weeks ago I noticed that the awesome recliners were removed and replaced with more cafeteria style tables and chairs.

Also removed was the dark mood lighting, which was great for watching TV.  The area was bright and felt like a Knights of Columbus hall.

This is a huge negative for me as I love sitting back, relaxing with a drink and grabbing a bite.  I guess they needed the room.

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