Future Bets-Are they worth it?

[the shadow]

Would appreciate some input if anyone has had success or failure playing futures.

I'm thinking of playing the suns,heat,avalanche simply because they have a head start on most teams, even tho the future odds have'nt changed much.

If all 3 make the playoffs, i plan on hedging each one.

My minimum goal would be a 300% profit on each wager.

I live in vegas so i could shop around for the best odds!

THANKS!!

[feltball]

depends on how much of your bankroll you tie up. often times the payout would be bigger if you just parlay their series lines in the playoffs.

[skrtelfan]

For futures of the format "team X to win," line shopping is essential, and hopefully you have access to an exchange with reasonably tight pricing. The vig on these futures can be awfully high and the odds at some sportsbooks can be much worse than the exchanges. Before the NCAA tournament, for example, it's relatively common to see a team at 10/1 on the exchanges and only 4/1 at the sportsbook future odds.

[Peregrine Stoop]

these bets are never worth it from an EG standpoint

[Peeig]

This is a goot thread on the topic

http://forum.sbrforum.com/handicapper-think-tank/26889-sizing-futures-bets.html

[Jasonal_98]

Personally, I never play future bets with the idea of them being "worth it." This is the only time I make a bet as a fan. If I feel like my personal team has a shot at a title, I'll put down a small future on them for fun. My Alabama bet this summer might actually pay off!

[GiveMeaBJ]

There is value in futures. I got the Bengals to win the AFC North +425 before last week. They already had wins against the Browns, Steelers, and Ravens and I liked them to beat the Ravens as well which would make them 4-0 in the division. I also thought the Steelers could potentially slip up vs the Broncos (they didn't). Not to mention the Bengals even if they lose to the Steelers have a get well soon 3 week stretch of Raiders-Lions-Browns. Later in the year they have the Chiefs. Assume they win those 4 games and lose to the Steelrs you have 5-1 in the division and 10 wins right there. +425? Tell me there isn't tons of value there.

Baisically after tooting my own horn I guess I am trying to say that the value is there if you look deep enough into the futures.

[reno cool]

yes there is value at times. But expecting 300% after hedging out is a bit of a stretch.

[the shadow]

Thanks for all the input.
I can see it takes huge bankroll to pull this out.
Looks like this is more of a recreational bet than anything else.
THATS WHY I COME TO THIS FORUM-TO LEARN!
THANX!!!

[IrishTim]

There is value on occasion but remember they are usually one-sided, which means the books can add as much juice as they want. Use them sparingly.

[Thremp]

An issue that isn't considered in any of the embedded links is that there is the option to hedge out equity on virtually any game.