[Blax0r]

My gut says yes, but I'm struggling to wrap my head around a concrete example.

[tto827]

One component can be -EV but not both. If the middle has value, then either both sides have value (quite doubtful) or one side has the edge and in the long run you are just paying back vig trying to get the middle. Look up the thread about betting the other side at pinnacle to arb, I believe its discussed there.

[Blax0r]

Oh yea, I can definitely see the case when one leg's +ev that the middle would be +ev, and agree that you're better off identifying the +ev leg and hitting that one only.

However, I wasn't sure about the case when both legs are -ev; I'm a little surprised that the middle can't be +EV. Is it not possible to construct a probability curve (for possible scores) that would satisfy the condition where the legs are -EV, but the middle is +EV?

[snapperman2]

If both legs are -EV, there is no way to combine them to get a +EV bet.

[MikeTizzy]

yes u can have great +EV for both sides and middle, 10pt NLF teasers can help u nail middle with great capping on legs.