1. #1
    TPowell
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    When to go for the middle?

    Had a lot of these decisions to make so far this season in college basketball. I currently hold an Ohio +3 (-115) ticket from opening yesterday and they are now -3.5 favorites. Would you consider going for a full middle here? Maybe just hedging a little on the side you like more? I hate to do it because the 1 isn't that big of a number in college hoops and the 2 is only marginally better but the 3 is the pinnacle obviously. Curious what says SBR

  2. #2
    jjgold
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    Most people do not play middles unless they're free or just a couple cent loss

  3. #3
    Smoke
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    Be a man. Let it ride.

  4. #4
    funnyb25
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    Would go for the middle here...BOL

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  5. #5
    Brooks
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    dont dilute +ev. if gtech is 3.5 across the board and you can get +4 that is another matter and you should buy it up to 5 for -130 for 25% of the original wager

  6. #6
    TPowell
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    Quote Originally Posted by Brooks View Post
    dont dilute +ev. if gtech is 3.5 across the board and you can get +4 that is another matter and you should buy it up to 5 for -130 for 25% of the original wager
    ehhh I dislike buying points to middle in college hoops. If this was football or NBA or even high level NCAA hoops, I would have middled by now but these lower level games tend to get crazy IMO

  7. #7
    TheMoneyShot
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    If you're a serious handicapper and you want to make profits majority of the time.... I wouldn't try to middle.

    If you have money to burn... and you're wagering for fun... go ahead and try to middle. I would only imagine you'd burn a lot more money in the long run.

  8. #8
    TPowell
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    Quote Originally Posted by TheMoneyShot View Post
    If you're a serious handicapper and you want to make profits majority of the time.... I wouldn't try to middle.

    If you have money to burn... and you're wagering for fun... go ahead and try to middle. I would only imagine you'd burn a lot more money in the long run.

    yeah that was my first gut thought as well in this type of game. Thanks for the serious responses guys

  9. #9
    BuckyOne
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    Why did you lead with it to begin with? Did you get lucky that it went in your favor that much or did you identify good value from the get go? Did you take other leads or just this one?

    It is kinda like making bets and then betting them back trying for a middle at halftime. You have to eat the losers and then middle off or take a juice bath on the others. Absolutely have to hit a middle or two to make money.

  10. #10
    TPowell
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    Quote Originally Posted by BuckyOne View Post
    Why did you lead with it to begin with? Did you get lucky that it went in your favor that much or did you identify good value from the get go? Did you take other leads or just this one?

    It is kinda like making bets and then betting them back trying for a middle at halftime. You have to eat the losers and then middle off or take a juice bath on the others. Absolutely have to hit a middle or two to make money.

    I made the line Ohio PK so I took Ohio +3 -115. Now the line is Memphis +3.5 (-105). My numbers say make both plays but not sure the value is there with both of those together

  11. #11
    RudyRuetigger
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    powell I am like a genie and will grant you 3 answers to questions

    powell are you sure you want this to be one?

  12. #12
    TPowell
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    Quote Originally Posted by RudyRuetigger View Post
    powell I am like a genie and will grant you 3 answers to questions

    powell are you sure you want this to be one?

    Yep bring it on Rudy

  13. #13
    RudyRuetigger
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    Quote Originally Posted by TPowell View Post
    I made the line Ohio PK so I took Ohio +3 -115. Now the line is Memphis +3.5 (-105). My numbers say make both plays but not sure the value is there with both of those together
    you answered your own question

    ofcourse there is value on both sides, according to YOUR stats

    whether your numbers are correct or not is a different story but assuming they are, yes bet both sides here

  14. #14
    TPowell
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    Quote Originally Posted by RudyRuetigger View Post
    you answered your own question

    ofcourse there is value on both sides, according to YOUR stats

    whether your numbers are correct or not is a different story but assuming they are, yes bet both sides here

    alright wasting another wish. What if Josh Pastner is coaching the team you'd be betting on by going for the middle?

  15. #15
    RudyRuetigger
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    this is where your thinking is wrong

    it shouldn't be about middling, it should be about placing +EV bets

  16. #16
    Smoke
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    Quote Originally Posted by RudyRuetigger View Post
    this is where your thinking is wrong

    it shouldn't be about middling, it should be about placing +EV bets
    Rudy put down the malt liquor bro

  17. #17
    RudyRuetigger
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    smokey NO, colt 45 tonight


  18. #18
    BuckyOne
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    Quote Originally Posted by TPowell View Post
    I made the line Ohio PK so I took Ohio +3 -115. Now the line is Memphis +3.5 (-105). My numbers say make both plays but not sure the value is there with both of those together
    I like what you said there. Had you been busy elsewhere and did not get in at openers you would have seen value at the close and taken that. So, i agree with that tactic that was mentioned here. The math is with you.

    I know it is part of the game but it bugs me to make a great play and come away with an empty sack. My style is like take the +155 money line on the closing dog (mould a profit either way) and you still have a 3 point middle shot.
    I see it is 13-13 early - pulling for your play to work out!

  19. #19
    zizoudane10
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    Key to your initial question is: is it an overestimated middle (sure thing you do it), or an underestimated middle (nope, stay away).

  20. #20
    jjgold
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    + EV middles only ones you should play but hard to find

  21. #21
    daneblazer
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    I'll do it sometimes but it's rare. Last year I got unc +3.5 and baylor +3 in a bowl game. College is just so volitale I usually just stick with the better line

  22. #22
    Hu$tle
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    Go for the middle if you think it will hit or has a good chance

    depends on what sports too

  23. #23
    funnyb25
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    Quote Originally Posted by Hu$tle View Post
    Go for the middle if you think it will hit or has a good chance

    depends on what sports too
    Come on man....so we don't go for the middle if we think it will lose?

  24. #24
    TPowell
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    didn't do it and it paid off. Ohio pulling away very late. Just couldn't stomach wasting a winner on a middle knowing Pastner was the the other coach

  25. #25
    lonegambler23
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    if you think of hedging, you shouldnt be gambling.

  26. #26
    funnyb25
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    lol... Let's make a bet, and pray we can get out and only lose juice...funny

  27. #27
    b1slickguy
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    I don't usually meddle in middles and hedges, but seeing the success of other posters middling and hedging has my interest peaked. Good luck.

  28. #28
    BuckyOne
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    Quote Originally Posted by jjgold View Post
    + EV middles only ones you should play but hard to find
    you mean bang-bang plays - get both sides and do not pay any juice? Then the only thing that can go wrong is you cannot collect from one side.

  29. #29
    BuckyOne
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    Quote Originally Posted by TPowell View Post
    didn't do it and it paid off. Ohio pulling away very late. Just couldn't stomach wasting a winner on a middle knowing Pastner was the the other coach
    Nice play - were you able to determine why the game swung six points - injury - tout release???

  30. #30
    TPowell
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    Quote Originally Posted by BuckyOne View Post
    Nice play - were you able to determine why the game swung six points - injury - tout release???
    I didn't see any injuries but don't follow touts much. Line def got bet up too high though IMO

  31. #31
    biggie12
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    Tpowell for such a pro u are asking some real amateur questions lately

  32. #32
    BuckyOne
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    This topic motivates a good query for a data base. Is a 6 point move predictive or not? Did it still have value at the close?

  33. #33
    TPowell
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    Quote Originally Posted by biggie12 View Post
    Tpowell for such a pro u are asking some real amateur questions lately
    amateur question? I asked a general question and gave my current example. You morons are too afraid to ask anything and thats why you stay barreled in

  34. #34
    TheMoneyShot
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    A quick example of a game that I think you could of middled... Michigan At Iowa +24 college football. Line closed at 24.... I had +23.5

    At the half I believe Michigan was only winning by 2?

    Well.... there's your middle... go for it.

    And we know how that turned out.

    I don't think there is ever a scenario to middle anything. Oddsmakers are way too good.

  35. #35
    TPowell
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    Quote Originally Posted by TheMoneyShot View Post
    A quick example of a game that I think you could of middled... Michigan At Iowa +24 college football. Line closed at 24.... I had +23.5

    At the half I believe Michigan was only winning by 2?

    Well.... there's your middle... go for it.

    And we know how that turned out.

    I don't think there is ever a scenario to middle anything. Oddsmakers are way too good.

    Not true, I missed the best shot of a night on Arky. I had UT Arlington +12 and they were up 11 at half. 2H line was Arky -9.5. Keep in mind that Arky was down 20 points at 1 time in the first half and closed strong against a road weary UT Arlington. Arkansas ended up winning the game by a few

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