Jacksonville at Pittsburgh (12/16/2007)

Here's a tip for when you think Vegas is right and the game will go as they say.  If you're betting online and your book has adjusted lines, then bet on both the adjusted lines.  You can do it for the spread or the over/under.

For example, for Denver@Houston, I have the spread at DEN -2 and the total at 47.  This means the score would be:

DEN 24.5
HOU 22.5

If you think the spread is accurate, then bet on HOU +7.5 and DEN +3.5:

HOU +7½
Risking:$100.00 To Win:$37.77

DEN +3½
Risking:$100.00 To Win:$44.44

If the game stays close and both bets win, you win $82.  You aren't really risking $200, though because
it is impossible for both of these to lose, but if one of them loses, you lose the bet.  Depending on which loses, you lose $62 or $56.

If you think the total is accurate, then bet on the high under and the low over:

TOTAL (DEN/HOU) u57½
Risking:$100.00 To Win:$25.00

TOTAL (DEN/HOU) o37½
Risking:$100.00 To Win:$25.00

So you have a 20-point range of victory that wins you $50. Again, it is impossible for both to lose, but if either loses, you lose $75.

The amount the spread/total is adjusted and the payouts change quite a bit from game to game so these numbers aren't accurate for every game but they are in the ballpark.

I remember at some point last year seeing the headline:  Think you know football?  Vegas does.  To this point in the season, there have been 100 overs, 99 unders, and 9 pushes.

So if they can be that accurate, try betting with them sometimes.  Good luck.