I am trying to understand "middles" as they relate to football totals.
Can anyone give me and example I can understand ?
suicidekings
SBR Hall of Famer
03-23-09
9962
#2
If you played the Over 39.5, and then saw the total rise up all the way to 42.5 because of player injury news (or something like that), you would then have the option of playing the Under 42.5, and if the total landed on 40, 41, or 42 you could win both wagers. Depending on the price you played each one at, you could set yourself up to win if either one hits, but if the numbers were both played at -110, then you would actually be buying into a losing proposition, as the probability of hitting both is very small and you'd be more likely to win one and lose the other for a small loss due to juice.
A Winner if only one hits
Over 39.5 (+105) x1
Under 42.5 (+105) x1
A Loser if only one hits
Over 39.5 (-110) x1
Under 42.5 (-110) x1
Another way to go about middling involves live betting. Say you're on the U40 (-110) before the game, and the score is 7-0 with a few minutes left in the first half. You see a live line offered at O27 (-115). The probability of hitting that middle is much larger than the 3 point middle above, but that doesn't mean the second bet will be a winner. You need to restrict yourself to wagers that will either profit regardless of which side hits, or ones in which you can quantify your advantage and you feel that the middle is sufficiently likely to justify the wager.
Comment
Sunde91
SBR Hall of Famer
11-26-09
8325
#3
Total 1: 39.5
Total 2: 40.5
Bet equal amounts on o39.5 and u40.5. If the game finishes at 40, you win both bets, achieving a middle.
The angle is that you put yourself at zero risk (only losing the juice on one side if it doesn't middle) while putting yourself in a position to win 2x.
If you can get a book (like 5Dimes or Pinny) with reduced juice on say a -103 line, epic win.