GAMBLING GUIDE

SB 52: The House always wins, almost

SB 52: The House always wins, almost
The Eagles win meant the books took a hit. NFL/Facebook

The build-up to NFL finale, mysteriously, featured vast amounts of gamblers backing the Eagles to pull off the upset. While the line opened in the 5.5 point range, It progressively dropped throughout the week showing just how much people believed Brady, would be denied his sixth ring.

"Let it ride."

The all in bettor struck again! How can a single individual impact the spread in the biggest gambling event of the year? Three million was his initial wager at MGM Resorts, and that was the maximum amount that individual book wanted to take in action from the serendipitous European. He would take the rest of his action elsewhere and spread the rest of his bets as follows:

Two separate $1 million bets with William Hill.

$700,000 wager  South Point.

$700,000 wager CGT Technology.

Unknown at the Wynn.

(add the original $3 million at MGM)

The exact numbers he was getting on the money line are unspecified but are said to be in the +150 to +170 range. The all in bettor was steadily given bad odds, but still took the numbers and hammered the books. After it was all said and done, he profited over $10 million, once again giving gamblers a tale to narrate for ages.

From the Cashier's Window

With the exception of 2015, the handle sportsbooks take in for the big game has grown every year.

2013 Bal/SF $98.9 Million

2014 Den/Sea $119.4 Million

2016 Den/Car $132.5 Million

2017 NE/Atl $138.5 Million  

2018 NE/Phi $158.6 Million

As you can see, the jump in handle from last year to this season was over $20 million. A massive spurt, similar to the one witnessed in the 2014 Superbowl. So $158.6 million is notably the record for cash taken in, but how much was profited in a contest in which the underdog and the over cashed? That's usually a recipe for a Sunday Bloody Sunday for the books

The guys behind the glass profited $1.17 Million in this year's big game. This is the lowest figure of gain for books in 10 years. Much has to do with large money line bets on Philadelphia tacked on to the over cashing easily. Where some books were able to get money back was on the prop bets and Patriot futures which served as some sort of redemption. Sportsbooks have now profited in 26 of the last 28 Superbowls. The two losses coming in 1995 and 2008.

With such a big handle this year the books were hoping to profit more than 0.7%. Even in the 2011 matchup between the Packers and Steelers, books only handled $87.4 million total but profited $724,176, good for a gain of 0.8%. The record for profits happened when the Seahawks routed the Broncos in 2014, the total win was $19.6 million, and a hold of 16.5%.

Overall, the books made the smallest of profits, but they will take it considering the number of bets that were on the Eagles. Futures, Props, and in-game Patriot backers saves would have been an unpropitious day.

ODDS TO WIN SUPER BOWL 53

New England Patriots    +500

Philadelphia Eagles    +700

Green Bay Packers    +800

Pittsburgh Steelers    +1000

Minnesota Vikings    +1200

Los Angeles Rams    +1750

San Francisco 49ers    +1800

Houston Texans    +1850

New Orleans Saints    +1850

Jacksonville Jaguars    +2000

Atlanta Falcons    +2000

Dallas Cowboys    +2000

Oakland Raiders    +2100

Carolina Panthers    +2500

Seattle Seahawks    +2500

Kansas City Chiefs    +3000

Los Angeles Chargers    +3000

Denver Broncos    +3500

Indianapolis Colts    +4000

Tampa Bay Buccaneers    +4000

Baltimore Ravens    +5000

Arizona Cardinals    +5000

Tennessee Titans    +5000

Detroit Lions    +5000

New York Giants    +5500

Miami Dolphins    +7000

Washington Redskins    +7000

New York Jets    +10000

Chicago Bears    +10000

Cincinnati Bengals    +10000

Buffalo Bills    +10000

Cleveland Browns +10000

Any questions or comments follow me on twitter @JerryBoknowz







 

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Jon Singleton is on the move. Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images.

First baseman Jon Singleton was released Tuesday by the Houston Astros.

Singleton had hit .171 with a .239 on-base percentage, no homers and two RBIs in 17 spring training games. The 33-year-old batted .234 with a .321 on-base percentage, 13 homers and 42 RBIs while playing 119 games last season.

The Astros signed Singleton to a $10 million, five-year contract in 2014 just before he made his major league debut, and after he had served two suspensions in the minor leagues for positive marijuana tests.

He batted below .200 in 2014 and 2015 before getting sent to the minors. He spent the entire 2016 and 2017 seasons in the minors and then tested positive for marijuana a third time.

Singleton requested his release from the Astros after receiving a 100-game suspension for that third positive test. He left the game before returning to organized baseball in the Mexican League.

He got back into the majors in 2023, first with the Milwaukee Brewers and later with the Astros.

Singleton agreed on March 8 to a contract paying $850,000 while in the major leagues and $425,000 while in the minors.

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