Match Play?

**JoshW** · 12-23-05, 10:39 AM

On a match play you only collect winnings on the bet and give up that ability to use that money to bet again. Cash bonus is just like your own money. Can bet it however you like as much as you like.

$100 matchplay at even money, if you win you collect $100 and that is it. Once matchplay is used, it can't be used again.

$100 cash at even money, if you win you collect $100 AND you still have the $100 bonus you bet in your account. Bet enough to meet the rollover and you can withdraw any winnings as well as the bonus amount itself just like cash. Hence, "cash bonus".

**onlooker** · 12-23-05, 10:47 AM

A very good explanation lakerfan.

Also, welcome to SBR jondwright.

**marc** · 12-23-05, 12:38 PM

If a book is offering you a matchplay you also need to ask the following questions

1) are there limitations on what the match play can be used on. Some books limit free plays to staright bet onlys. Some limit the max payout of a free bet. Some books don't allow you to sue them on positive ml's

2) can the free play be used online, or do you have to call it in. I personally prefer places that allow you to place the wagers online

3) Is the rollover calculated by the free play amount, the free play winnigs, or the greater of the 2.

**jondwright** · 12-23-05, 12:44 PM

Thanks very much guys.

**Doug** · 12-24-05, 03:03 AM

Jon: search for a thread I wrote on RX about this, or I'll link it, not sure if SBR allows the link, but it's amoung my best works.

**Doug** · 12-24-05, 03:06 AM

Here's how to use it, if SBR lets link stand...

http://forum.therx.com/showthread.php?t=323590&highlight=matchplay

with my best regards,

Doug

**raiders72001** · 12-24-05, 03:16 AM

Depends on how you can use the matchplay. I posted this in another thread. If you can use your matchplay other than straight the expected value of the matchplay is approx. 85% of the matchplay.

If you deposited $1000 and took 10% cash it's worth $1100. If you take 20% match play it's worth $1170. Comparing cash to match play. 100/85 = 1.176. This means if you get a 10% cash bonus it equals 10 * 1.176 = 11.76 % match play.

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Most times it is better to take a 3 team parlay but you can make a case for the scalp/dog method becasue you win more often but less money each time. You have to play with the numbers and determine if you want to put some of your own money to dog scalp or just use the houses money to parlay.

Here's some math using true odds for parlays and ML scalp. Because you are not going to get 7-1 on 3 team parlays or a ML where you can find a +600/-600 you have to play with the numbers. Most likely you will get 6-1 and +350/-400.
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3 team parlay with a $100 free play. A 3 teamer will hit 1 out of 8 times. Using true odds

1 win = +$700
7 losses = $0

Win $700 in 8 tries or $87.50/free play

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-600/+600 dog scalp

In 7 tries you will win 6 times
Free play you put up $100 to win $600
Now you have to put up $600 of your own money to win $100.

Win 6 times $600 out of 7 plays or $85.71/free play.

If we are going to allow links then there are all kinds of technical gambling information here Gambling Tech Info

**Doug** · 12-24-05, 03:27 AM

Raiders: Your math is flawed, you can't get a -600/ +600 ML, so dividing 6 by 7 , and getting 85% is flawed, I didn't read your link, because I see the flaw in your logic !

Settle for playing a 3-teamer all 8-ways for 75%, or save the MP for a heavy dog you would have bet without the Matchplay, 85% is bad logic, IMO, it's 75% conversion, being practical about it.

**raiders72001** · 12-24-05, 03:30 AM

My math is not flawed. Scalping would be impossible by your reasoning. Your post does not take the dog/scalp method into consideration when that can be more profitable but riskier since you have to put up your own money.

**raiders72001** · 12-24-05, 03:32 AM

Here's an example on todays lines

2
Cleveland Browns - Pittsburgh Steelers
Am. Football, United States, NFL 2005/2006
24/12/05 18:00 Asian Handicap 2.21 % scalp

Cleveland Browns 7.5 -110 BetUS

Pittsburgh Steelers 7.5 +120 5Dimes

**Doug** · 12-24-05, 03:34 AM

If the dog is +600, the fav is probably -800 at the best odds ( Pinny), a true no vig line would be like -700/ +700, but you'll never find that, this brings the expectation back in line with the 3-teamer all 8 ways. Unfortunately the freeplay can't be from Pinny, so you'll get odds that won't beat the parlay method, unless you have great patience.

**raiders72001** · 12-24-05, 03:39 AM

Doug- How can anyone ever scalp using your logic. I can show you daily scalps which means you are getting more than the figures that I showed.

A good reason to take the dog/scalp method is that you are guaranteed money on every matchplay.

Using the 3 team parlay you only hit 1 in 8. Finding 8 matchplays takes a long time and you aren't even guaranteed hitting 1 of 8,

**Doug** · 12-24-05, 03:40 AM

Originally posted by raiders72001

Here's an example on todays lines

2
Cleveland Browns - Pittsburgh Steelers
Am. Football, United States, NFL 2005/2006
24/12/05 18:00 Asian Handicap 2.21 % scalp

Cleveland Browns 7.5 -110 BetUS

Pittsburgh Steelers 7.5 +120 5Dimes

I'd never use Betus to begin with, but this has nothing to do with using Matchplay, you need high odds on the return, thus the parlay, or dog.

I never heard of Asian handicap on NFL, either ! Asian cap is like taking soccer over 2 and 2.5

**raiders72001** · 12-24-05, 03:47 AM

Asian handicap for the NFL is betting against the spread eliminating draws. You either take Cle or Pitts.

In soccer there's a 1 x 2 betting which means you can bet either side or a draw.

**Doug** · 12-24-05, 03:50 AM

Raiders: Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year ! Play your Freeplay as you see fit, I'll play mine as I see fit !

**raiders72001** · 12-24-05, 03:53 AM

Merry Christmas Doug. I actually play the 3 team parlay as you do because I don't want to put up my own cash if the book tanks. I can just find a better return the other way.