I don't understand what a trap line is

[dwluv3333]

People were saying today that the Spurs +1.5 is a trap line. OK, they were right as the Spurs got blown out of the water. But it made sense that the Spurs might lose despite the line, because Tony Parker was out, one of their key players. Plus, Grizzlies have had a good record lately and are decent at home, plus the revenge factor.

So here's my question - how exactly does Vegas know that they can set a line as a trap? Do they know more than all of us do? I can't imagine the bookies sitting there sayin, "Hey, tomorrow, lets put a line much lower than it should be at! Let's get those suckers!"

I feel like if the Spurs line was today was set at -5, people would have said that that line is about right. But since it was +1.5, the public just because of this suddenly believes that the Grizzlies can win for no reason other than the line being set so close. People just like to associate close lines with the word "TRAP".

IMO bookies would rather see a 50%/50% betting spread to guarantee a juice profit every night rather than to risk losing money on setting a trap line that will be split 99%/1% to the trap favorite.

[madrabbit]

ppl here talk crap. If they knew it was a trap ask them why they didnt bet 30k on it.

as u said memphis winning was probably what most ppl thought would happn who know anything about NBA.

[warriorfan707]

Its better you never understand it, because in reality such a thing does not exist.

Basically its posters who in a desperate attempt at trying to appear sharp and intrigue others like to claim the line has been set a certain way as if Vegas already knows the outcome of the event, in order to lure peoples money to a certain side.

Don't listen to that nonsense. Once in a while their claims may work out but it has nothing to do with a "trap".

Its a bunch of fukkin bullshit

[warriorfan707]

By the way, I can already tell you are smarter than about 90% of SBRS posters.

Welcome to SBRForum and please keep posting

Im WF707

[NBA_Brosuf]

I've heard over the radio where there this guy who makes them odds spread for vegas for a living.

I have another system of play but it is still a foolish system of play.

Like don't look at the spread. Pick a few teams you are so sure of and make your own spread. IF the spread is generous enough, you get a good buy. If not then no play.

I just need a sucker to do this style because I'm about broke so I can't test it myself.

LOL

[madrabbit]

Its better you never understand it, because in reality such a thing does not exist.

Basically its posters who in a desperate attempt at trying to appear sharp and intrigue others like to claim the line has been set a certain way as if Vegas already knows the outcome of the event, in order to lure peoples money to a certain side.

Don't listen to that nonsense. Once in a while their claims may work out but it has nothing to do with a "trap".

Its a bunch of fukkin bullshit

nail on the fuckn head! well said man.

[warriorfan707]

I've heard over the radio where there this guy who makes them odds spread for vegas for a living.

I have another system of play but it is still a foolish system of play.

Like don't look at the spread. Pick a few teams you are so sure of and make your own spread. IF the spread is generous enough, you get a good buy. If not then no play.

I just need a sucker to do this style because I'm about broke so I can't test it myself.

LOL

Ive thought along those lines before and it seemed to work out more often than not

I should give that a try again

[demens]

So here's my question - how exactly does Vegas know that they can set a line as a trap? Do they know more than all of us do? I can't imagine the bookies sitting there sayin, "Hey, tomorrow, lets put a line much lower than it should be at! Let's get those suckers!"

Surprised by the replies so far. Basically agree with the main points. I do believe there is such a thing as a trap, but 99 out 100 games that get called traps here are just stupid people that dont know any better. If they understood WHY the line was set the way it was (which you somewhat did) then they wouldn't be running around yelling trap this trap that.

All Vegas really knows is that most people are stupid and dont know what they are doing. Their main objective is to set a line that will get 50/50 action, they dont give a shit about trapping a few idiots betting $20 on the game.

The line for the Mavs game was a "trap" too, but the Mavs won so all the sharpies have nothing to say.

[texhooper]

in all fairness, the best team in the league at the moment playing at the memphis grizzlies getting a short dog spread is pretty much the definition of a public trap. no matter who's in the game. obviously memphis would have covered if the spurs had a fully healthy roster...you don't just happen to win by 16 against the team with the best record in the league, regardless of who plays. a trap doesn't really mean the sportsbooks are trying to trap everyone, they just can't be exposed to the sharps. so like the op said, everyone would have said "yeah, that's about right" if the line was spurs -5. well, they can't hang that number because they'll get take to the cleaners by the sharps on memphis. but the number vegas actually puts out looks good, WAY too good to regular bettors, therefore, it's a trap. i think the best examples of traps (unlike dallas) is when a team is getting points and no one seems to be able to figure out why. just my take though.

[betme]

Its better you never understand it, because in reality such a thing does not exist.

Basically its posters who in a desperate attempt at trying to appear sharp and intrigue others like to claim the line has been set a certain way as if Vegas already knows the outcome of the event, in order to lure peoples money to a certain side.

Don't listen to that nonsense. Once in a while their claims may work out but it has nothing to do with a "trap".

Its a bunch of fukkin bullshit

totally agreed here.. there is no such thing as trap.. or FIX.. it's all bs that people just happen to be on the wrong side and called it trap/fix. all these lines vegas give out every game is computer generated number because they have a large database of everything and it is programmed to generate lines with user's input.