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    All Forums | Systems & Strategies

    how does vegas set its lines...

    jcook
    jones2307
    thirdperson
    butta01
    dawniewags
    ...
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    jcook
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    Posted: Sep. 26, 2010 - 5:55 PM ET #1

    ive been looking at stuff here and there, but i figured i could get some help here also...

    what actually goes into vegas setting a line...is it purely mathematical and then adjusting according to public perception??  what are the variables?

    thx
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    To remove first post, remove entire topic.
    ive been looking at stuff here and there, but i figured i could get some help here also...

    what actually goes into vegas setting a line...is it purely mathematical and then adjusting according to public perception??  what are the variables?

    thx
     
    jones2307
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    Posted: Oct. 6, 2010 - 8:46 PM ET #2

    bump
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    bump
     
    thirdperson
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    Posted: Oct. 7, 2010 - 10:28 AM ET #3

    One goal is to establish a line so that no matter how the public bet, the sportsbook would still earn a profit.  For example, low payout for strong favourite in moneyline.  In the case of pointspread, the ideal line would have even money on both sides.
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    One goal is to establish a line so that no matter how the public bet, the sportsbook would still earn a profit.  For example, low payout for strong favourite in moneyline.  In the case of pointspread, the ideal line would have even money on both sides.
     
    butta01
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    Posted: Oct. 7, 2010 - 11:19 AM ET #4

    They look at all aspect of  a matchup, then create a line to get even money on both sides...
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    They look at all aspect of  a matchup, then create a line to get even money on both sides...
     
    dawniewags
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    Posted: Nov. 6, 2010 - 10:54 AM ET #5

    OK here it is and this is FROM the Vegas oddsmaker themselves

    MY friends told me this they know few head lines men out there

    VERY fucking complicated system using POWER RATINGS in lined games 

     

    a team of number cruncherswork all the games in NCAA and NFL

    using home field  Coach  strenght of schedule  win margin from last game  injuries then the add points based on public perception that is they KNOW the teams the public like to wager on so they will add 2 - 3 points more based on thier data base of public squares  who just seem to love favorites and overs  !

     

    I have NO clue how they come up with power ratings but some sports papers show the power ratings  NUMBERS used  each week and they are adjusted 

     

    you may see one HC rated at 5 the other rated at 1   so YOU are going with the higher rated HC here 

     

    Homefield can really be higher for some teams like 10 or 25 

     

    and road team is rated at  3  just fucking confusing

     

    then after the team gets DONE they hand the info to head lines man who put's up the final line !

     

    NEXT they GO into a closed room where the early lines are shown to the sharps and heavy hitters and they make thier wagers 

    then the head lines man readjust the lines before released to the public

    the days following lines will move based on public money flowing in and maybe sharp money  can go way out   from opening line if too much on one side they will move spreads like 7 points in NCCAA  Foots  when it's #1  Ranked team vs an unranked team

     

    and the original spread was high enough  like 22.5  and it went up to 28.5

     

    any way thats how vegas sets the lines  usally the Mirage goes 1st and  planet holly wood  as shown here on covers 

    butta 100% correct that all books want is as close to equal action on both sides as possible

     

    Vegas has no idea  on the out come of any game and boy can they be wrong on both sides with totals  and spread as in Giants  vs patriots superbowl 

     

    OMFG  Giants + 12.5 and OVER 55 1/2   last year Colts - 5.5 and over  57 was so wrong  sainst won s/u and it went under by  10 points   31 - 17   and colts scored 10 in 1st qtr  you had to think fer sure it was going overs but saints D held em at 10  and only gave up 1 TD  in 2nd half

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    OK here it is and this is FROM the Vegas oddsmaker themselves

    MY friends told me this they know few head lines men out there

    VERY fucking complicated system using POWER RATINGS in lined games 

     

    a team of number cruncherswork all the games in NCAA and NFL

    using home field  Coach  strenght of schedule  win margin from last game  injuries then the add points based on public perception that is they KNOW the teams the public like to wager on so they will add 2 - 3 points more based on thier data base of public squares  who just seem to love favorites and overs  !

     

    I have NO clue how they come up with power ratings but some sports papers show the power ratings  NUMBERS used  each week and they are adjusted 

     

    you may see one HC rated at 5 the other rated at 1   so YOU are going with the higher rated HC here 

     

    Homefield can really be higher for some teams like 10 or 25 

     

    and road team is rated at  3  just fucking confusing

     

    then after the team gets DONE they hand the info to head lines man who put's up the final line !

     

    NEXT they GO into a closed room where the early lines are shown to the sharps and heavy hitters and they make thier wagers 

    then the head lines man readjust the lines before released to the public

    the days following lines will move based on public money flowing in and maybe sharp money  can go way out   from opening line if too much on one side they will move spreads like 7 points in NCCAA  Foots  when it's #1  Ranked team vs an unranked team

     

    and the original spread was high enough  like 22.5  and it went up to 28.5

     

    any way thats how vegas sets the lines  usally the Mirage goes 1st and  planet holly wood  as shown here on covers 

    butta 100% correct that all books want is as close to equal action on both sides as possible

     

    Vegas has no idea  on the out come of any game and boy can they be wrong on both sides with totals  and spread as in Giants  vs patriots superbowl 

     

    OMFG  Giants + 12.5 and OVER 55 1/2   last year Colts - 5.5 and over  57 was so wrong  sainst won s/u and it went under by  10 points   31 - 17   and colts scored 10 in 1st qtr  you had to think fer sure it was going overs but saints D held em at 10  and only gave up 1 TD  in 2nd half

     
    Skubishack
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    Posted: Nov. 8, 2010 - 4:48 PM ET #6

    They call the Dionne Warwick Psychic Network for advise..
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    They call the Dionne Warwick Psychic Network for advise..
     
    Societic-Hustle
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    Posted: Nov. 8, 2010 - 9:18 PM ET #7

    Since I'm the only one who has worked for big sportsbook who actually set their OWN lines and dont follow others I can share the following:

    We used trends and stats and rated them.
    But they are trends and stats normal people never thought off and would take days to analyze for each game without using a computer.

    Do you wonder how many points LA Lakers score on an estimate, if they are playing B2B games on the road, where the total is greater than or equal to 200, off an road win scoring 110 or more points, well rested team - playing 4 or less games in 10 days, good shooting team (45.5-47.5%) against an average defensive team (43.5-45.5%), after 2 straight games making 9 or more 3 point shots facing off a home win, first 6 games of the season, playoff team from last season who lost 4 or more of their last 5 games after scoring 110 points or more against opponent after scoring 40 points or less in the first half in 2 straight games and Kobe Bryant scored at least 30 points last game where both teams score 98 or more points and what the trends say?

    Take that info and 10 000s more and come up with a line.
    Then take how the public tends to bet when it comes to similiar games and set the lines so you make sure public makes a bet.

    Sometimes, maybe a "favorite" is actually an "underdog" but they are made "favorite" because the public loves betting on that team when they are the "favorite" and skips when they are underdogs.

    Sometimes it other way around.

    The important thing is not if people bet and win or lose, the important thing is that they make bets, no matter what, sportsbook earns their money.

    They got around 80 - 98% payback and end of the day they always earn their "commision".

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    Since I'm the only one who has worked for big sportsbook who actually set their OWN lines and dont follow others I can share the following:

    We used trends and stats and rated them.
    But they are trends and stats normal people never thought off and would take days to analyze for each game without using a computer.

    Do you wonder how many points LA Lakers score on an estimate, if they are playing B2B games on the road, where the total is greater than or equal to 200, off an road win scoring 110 or more points, well rested team - playing 4 or less games in 10 days, good shooting team (45.5-47.5%) against an average defensive team (43.5-45.5%), after 2 straight games making 9 or more 3 point shots facing off a home win, first 6 games of the season, playoff team from last season who lost 4 or more of their last 5 games after scoring 110 points or more against opponent after scoring 40 points or less in the first half in 2 straight games and Kobe Bryant scored at least 30 points last game where both teams score 98 or more points and what the trends say?

    Take that info and 10 000s more and come up with a line.
    Then take how the public tends to bet when it comes to similiar games and set the lines so you make sure public makes a bet.

    Sometimes, maybe a "favorite" is actually an "underdog" but they are made "favorite" because the public loves betting on that team when they are the "favorite" and skips when they are underdogs.

    Sometimes it other way around.

    The important thing is not if people bet and win or lose, the important thing is that they make bets, no matter what, sportsbook earns their money.

    They got around 80 - 98% payback and end of the day they always earn their "commision".

     
     
    CallMeBruce
    CallMeBruce
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    Posted: Nov. 19, 2010 - 5:31 AM ET #8

    Quote Originally Posted by Societic-Hustle:

    Since I'm the only one who has worked for big sportsbook who actually set their OWN lines and dont follow others I can share the following:

    ....

    Then take how the public tends to bet when it comes to similiar games and set the lines so you make sure public makes a bet.

    Sometimes, maybe a "favorite" is actually an "underdog" but they are made "favorite" because the public loves betting on that team when they are the "favorite" and skips when they are underdogs.

    Sometimes it other way around.

    The important thing is not if people bet and win or lose,
    the important thing is that they make bets, no matter what, sportsbook earns their money.

    They got around 80 - 98% payback and end of the day they always earn their "commision".


    I agree completely with the above highlighted statements. And most everything else.  You seem to know a lot about how it (books) works, could you enlighten us more? 
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    Quote Originally Posted by Societic-Hustle:

    Since I'm the only one who has worked for big sportsbook who actually set their OWN lines and dont follow others I can share the following:

    ....

    Then take how the public tends to bet when it comes to similiar games and set the lines so you make sure public makes a bet.

    Sometimes, maybe a "favorite" is actually an "underdog" but they are made "favorite" because the public loves betting on that team when they are the "favorite" and skips when they are underdogs.

    Sometimes it other way around.

    The important thing is not if people bet and win or lose,
    the important thing is that they make bets, no matter what, sportsbook earns their money.

    They got around 80 - 98% payback and end of the day they always earn their "commision".


    I agree completely with the above highlighted statements. And most everything else.  You seem to know a lot about how it (books) works, could you enlighten us more? 
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