Special Super Bowl 50 point-spread props from Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook

Super Bowl props help make the big game really BIG. 

SUPER BOWL 50 -- PROPOSITIONS
LEVI'S STADIUM -- SANTA CLARA, CA
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 2016

CAROLINA PANTHERS VS DENVER BRONCOS


ALTERNATE POINTSPREADS

PANTHERS -7.5 +130
BRONCOS +7.5 -150

PANTHERS -10.5 +190
BRONCOS +10.5 -220

PANTHERS -14.5 +320
BRONCOS +14.5 -380

PANTHERS -17.5 +425
BRONCOS +17.5 -550

PANTHERS -21.5 +525
BRONCOS +21.5 -750

PANTHERS +3.5 -450
BRONCOS -3.5 +375

PANTHERS +7.5 -700
BRONCOS -7.5 +500

PANTHERS +10.5 -1000
BRONCOS -10.5 +650

PANTHERS +14.5 -1400
BRONCOS -14.5 +800

PANTHERS +17.5 -1600
BRONCOS -17.5 +900

ALTERNATE TOTALS

PANTHERS/BRONCOS OVER 35.5 -450
PANTHERS/BRONCOS UNDER 35.5 +375

PANTHERS/BRONCOS OVER 38.5 -280
PANTHERS/BRONCOS UNDER 38.5 +240

PANTHERS/BRONCOS OVER 52.5 +250
PANTHERS/BRONCOS UNDER 52.5 -300

PANTHERS/BRONCOS OVER 59.5 +475
PANTHERS/BRONCOS UNDER 59.5 -650

Super Bowl 50 Betting Update from Las Vegas: Big Broncos wager taken

Where is the betting number going to roll?

Update - 1.30.16 - 9:05 p.m. ET

Wynn sports book director John Avello said earlier in the week that he was looking for a sign that Broncos money was out there and when he moved the Panthers from -5.5 to -6 on Friday, he got that sign with a Denver wager he described as a high six-figure wager. The wager pushed the Wynn book back to -5.5 on Saturday afternoon.

"There's still a long ways to go -- we'll take 80 percent of overall wagers on the game Saturday and Sunday, " said Avello. "We're still long on the Panthers right now, but it wouldn't be out of the ordinary to see our position completely change from the first week. It happened last year."
The public is still loving the Panthers, but the frenzied pace seen when the number was first posted has leveled off. Like Avello said, there is a long ways to go and things could change drastically. It's apparent that some large money is willing to show their hand with Denver and +6 is acceptable. Other sharp outfits are still hoping +6.5 or +7 shows.

A solid indicator that Broncos money is still out there waiting is the action the South Pointtook on the Broncos money-line that dropped them from +215 to +180 (Panthers now -125). At the time, +215 was the highest price available in Las Vegas. Several books still have the Broncos at +200.

If looking to play the Broncos, it's quite possible that +6 may be the best number you'll find. We'll keep following this story all the way till kickoff.

Read More Here......Daily Super Bowl 50 betting updates on VegasInsider.com

Super Bowl money-line fair for a change, for now

Super Bowl bettors often switch choices when hearing payouts.

LAS VEGAS — In most Super Bowls, bettors rarely get true value with the underdogs taking them on the moneyline, because this game is more about the public and the once-a-year fringe bettors. Books protect themselves early on by setting the price lower based on a spread than you’ll see during the regular season or playoffs.

The books know what bets are coming and even if they get clipped off by sharps playing the cheap money-line favorite, that action still doesn‘t compare with all the $20, $50 and $100 wagers that compile up into one giant risk on the dog.

Many of the bettors coming to windows with their $100 don’t understand the point spread, but do want to maximize their dollar. Here’s a how a conversation usually goes down at this time of year between the ticket writer and novice bettor:

Bettor: “How much do I get if I bet the Panthers to win — no points?”
Teller: “With the money-line play, no points, just to win at -230, your $100 will win you $43.48, plus your $100 back.“
Bettor: “Wow, that’s not very good, what if I play the spread?”
Teller: “If you lay the -5.5 and the Panthers win by 6-points or more, you’ll win $90.90 plus your $100 back.”

Read More Here....TheLinemakers.com

Large Super Bowl wager taken on Broncos at +5.5

Mirage sports book has taken two big Super Bowl wagers early on.

The VegasInsider.com Super Bowl 50 Betting Update will provide daily betting updates from Micah Roberts in Las Vegas on this year's NFL finale between Carolina and Denver, which is set for Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016.

Update - 1.27.16 - 2:25 p.m. ET

Add Caesars Palace, Station Casinos and the Stratosphere to the growing list of Las Vegas sports books that have Carolina -5.5 over the Broncos for next week’s Super Bowl. They took the plunge Wednesday morning. MGM Resorts and the South Point made their move on Tuesday.

“I’m legitimately at Carolina -5.5 and I may be going to -6 soon,” South Point sports book director Bert Osborne said, who opened Carolina -4 on Sunday night. “We’re getting lots of action on the Panthers at -5.5.“

Osborne also said his teaser liability with Carolina-to-OVER was growing by the minute. He has the Panthers money line at -215 with the Broncos at +190, which is the most attractive dog number in the city as of Wednesday afternoon. His total has been steady at 45.5 the past two days after being at 46.5 on Monday.

Over at the MGM Resorts sports book hub inside the Mirage, manager Jeff Stoneback said he and VP Jay Rood were just having a discussion about when they were going to make the move off -5.5, a dead number, and go to -6.

“Our ticket count at just -5.5 alone has the Panthers at a 4-to-1 ratio and the cash taken in is at 2-to-1,“ said Stoneback, who then answered a call from one of his other nine sports books across the strip. A big bet wager was being accepted. “We just took a six-figure bet on Denver at +5.5, so the cash ratio is far more slanted on Denver at 5.5 than what I had just said, maybe at 15-to-1 on Denver now.”

However, Stoneback kept the game at 5.5 for one big reason. “Last night we took a six-figure bet on the Panthers at -5.”

Those are the two biggest wagers the MGM books have taken so far.

Read More Here....Super Bowl updates from Las Vegas daily on VegasInsider.com

Cardinals-Panthers action dead, Patriots bet at 10-to-1 ratio

Bettors loving the Patriots this week despite inflated number.

LAS VEGAS -- When the AFC and NFC Championship Game lines were both posted with 3's in Las Vegas on Sunday, one game looked out of whack with a road favorite while the other looked solid. Many observers thought it would the Panthers side that would attract the most action, but that hasn't been the case.

"It's been a dead game for us," said South Point sports book director Bert Osborne who has kept Carolina -3 all week.

Osborne said public parlay money has favored Carolina as expected, but the game he's been keeping his eye on the most is the Patriots -3 at Denver.

"I thought the game that we'd be moving first would be the Panthers, but the way the action is going so far I may have to go to -3.5 with the Patriots."

The number '3' is the most key number in the NFL, so it'll take some heavy one-sided action to move off the number, but Osborne can see it happening. "Right now, I'm about a 25 percent towards our threshold at the number before moving to 3.5."

Osborne says he takes about four times the limit at -3 than he does for regular numbers before moving off it. His chain of sports books are the only ones in the city that use flat numbers exclusively.

On Friday, the South Point was the only sports book in town with the Patriots at 3-flat. Those that like the Patriots know where to go so it might not be too long before Osborne hits his threshold forcing a number change.

Read More Here...VegasInsider.com

No Teaser Caesar

The Caesars/Harrah's books couldn't wait till seasons end.

LAS VEGAS -- On Monday we mentioned that a few books were reviewing their position on teasers because of a 15-1 all-way teaser win for bettors during the divisional round that crushed the books.Caesars Entertainment's chain of books -- Harrah's -- got so rattled with last weeks losses that they didn't even wait for the season end to make changes -- they cut teaser wagering off immediately in a knee-jerk reaction.

If I had to pick one chain of books that would pull a move like this mid-stream, the Harrah's brand would certainly be it. For goodness sake, wait for the season to end. Do some analytics on what the proper prices should be in the playoffs and regular season and then implement the changes next season.

Funny thing is, both games are 3's and it's not an attractive position for teaser bettors that like the favorites like last week was with a couple of 7's. So not only did Harrah's shoot themselves in the foot from a public relations standpoint, but they bailed on a week that sets up more favorably for the books. Well done!

- VegasInsider.com

2016 NFC Championship Game: Arizona at Carolina -3 (-120)

Carson Palmer, with the perfect throwing form, has been so-so lately. 

6:40 pm ET - TV: FOX
Arizona (14-3, 9-8 ATS) at Carolina (16-1, 12-5 ATS)
Line: Carolina -3 (-120), 48

LAS VEGAS -- Almost like the Denver situation, we’ve got a number that is inflated due to the sports books predicting who the public will be on and they were correct again as over 70 percent of the wagers so far have come on the Panthers.

This number is actually rising with Boyd Gaming showing -3.5 (EV), a spot we’ll likely see several books before the game kicks off. A nice guide to see where the number is really going is to watch what the South Point does with the game because they use only flat numbers. They don’t want to get off -3 if they don’t have to, and they won’t move the juice, so if it gets too lopsided, they’ll go to -3.5 and if Arizona money doesn’t bite then, it could go to -4.

We think there is about 1-point of value with the Cardinals at +3, but with ’3’ being the most key number in the NFL, it’s almost like 2-points of value. Getting the hook at a flat price is even better, and we think the move here is to wait for that to happen. Worst case scenario while waiting is that you still get +3. And remember......

Read More Here (free pick)....TheLinemakers.com

2016 AFC Championship Game: Patriots -3 (EV) at Broncos

Tom Brady LOVES pressure; faces No. 1 defense with No. 1 sack total 

3:05 pm ET - TV: CBS
New England (13-4, 8-7-2 ATS) at Denver (13-4, 8-8-1 ATS)
Line: New England -3 (-120), 44

LAS VEGAS -- Let’s just start by saying that ratings-wise, the Broncos should be favored. That’s simply the approach from an oddsmaker position where we don’t believe the Patriots are 6-points better than Denver, and that’s what the number is telling us if taking out the 3-points for Denver’s home field.

However, bookmakers need to factor in public perception. The additional rating points added to New England for the AFC Championship Game are because of the public, which always believes what it saw last.

The books have to forecast who is going to be bet the most and go against the oddsmaker position, especially in games with such high volume. Sharp money pales in comparison to the amount Joe Public throws down on these games. And so far the books look to be right — 75 percent of bets have come in on the Pats -3.

But that doesn’t mean we have to follow the herd at the bet windows. You’re looking at nearly 5-points of value by taking the Broncos at home, which is one of the best home field advantages in NFL history. The home field for Denver has been so good through the years that the great Tom Brady is only 2-6 when playing in the Rockies, and his two wins came against third-stringer Danny Kanell and Tim Tebow.

To show the Patriots' huge ratings increase after last week, let’s take a look at a few recent games with similar spreads.

Read More Here (free pick).....TheLinemakers.com

2016 NFL Conference Championship Game Props

Demaryius Thomas receiving yards: 73.5 

WESTGATE LAS VEGAS SUPERBOOK

NFL CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME PROPOSITIONS

SUNDAY, JANUARY 24, 2016

PATRIOTS @ BRONCOS

WILL EITHER TEAM SCORE 3 STRAIGHT TIMES?
**Excludes extra points and 2 point conversions
***Includes safeties
YES -170
NO +150

FIRST SCORE OF THE GAME WILL BE:
TOUCHDOWN -150
ANY OTHER SCORE +130

TOTAL GROSS PASSING YARDS BY: TOM BRADY (NE)
OVER 285.5 -110
UNDER 285.5 -110

TOTAL TOUCHDOWN PASSES BY: TOM BRADY (NE)
OVER 2.0 +130
UNDER 2.0 -150

WILL TOM BRADY (NE) THROW AN INTERCEPTION?
YES -165
NO +145

TAL RECEIVING YARDS BY: ROB GRONKOWSKI (NE)
OVER 74.5 -110
UNDER 74.5 -110

WILL ROB GRONKOWSKI (NE) SCORE A TOUCHDOWN?
YES -145
NO +125

TOTAL RECEIVING YARDS BY: JULIAN EDELMAN (NE)
OVER 79.5 -110
UNDER 79.5 -110

TOTAL COMPLETIONS BY: PEYTON MANNING (DEN)
OVER 21.5 -110
UNDER 21.5 -110

TOTAL TOUCHDOWN PASSES BY: PEYTON MANNING (DEN)
OVER 1.5 +110
UNDER 1.5 -130

WILL C.J. ANDERSON (DEN) SCORE A TOUCHDOWN?
YES +110
NO -130

TOTAL RECEVING YARDS BY: EMMANUEL SANDERS (DEN)
OVER 74.5 -110
UNDER 74.5 -110

TOTAL RECEIVING YARDS BY: DEMARYIUS THOMAS (DEN)
OVER 73.5 -110
UNDER 73.5 -110

WILL BOTH TEAMS MAKE 33 YARD OR LONGER FIELD GOALS?
YES +145
NO -165

SHORTEST TD OF GAME
**If no td is scored--all bets are refunded
**Includes all returns
***Fumble recovery in end zone-- under is the winner
OVER 1.5 +105
UNDER 1.5 -125

LARGEST LEAD OF THE GAME BY: EITHER TEAM
OVER 13.5 -150
UNDER 13.5 +130

WILL EITHER TEAM SCORE IN THE FINAL 2 MINUTES OF THE FIRST HALF?
**(Includes safety)
YES -250
NO +210

TOTAL QB SACKS BY: BOTH TEAMS
OVER 5.0 -130
UNDER 5.0 +110

TOTAL POINTS BY: PATRIOTS
OVER 23.5 -110
UNDER 23.5 -110

TOTAL POINTS BY: BRONCOS
OVER 20.5 -110
UNDER 20.5 -110


CARDINALS @ PANTHERS

WILL EITHER TEAM SCORE 3 STRAIGHT TIMES?
**Excludes extra points and 2 point conversions
***Includes safeties
YES -175
NO +155

FIRST SCORE OF THE GAME WILL BE:
TOUCHDOWN -175
ANY OTHER SCORE +155

TOTAL GROSS PASSING YARDS BY: CARSON PALMER (ARI)
OVER 284.5 -110
UNDER 284.5 -110

TOTAL TOUCHDOWN PASSES BY: CARSON PALMER (ARI)
OVER 2.0 EVEN
UNDER 2.0 -120

TOTAL RUSHING YARDS BY: DAVID JOHNSON (ARI)
OVER 61.5 -110
UNDER 61.5 -110

TOTAL RECEIVING YARDS BY: LARRY FITZGERALD (ARI)
OVER 65.5 -110
UNDER 65.5 -110

WILL MICHAEL FLOYD (ARI) SCORE A TOUCHDOWN?
YES +140
NO -160

TOTAL COMPLETIONS BY: CAM NEWTON (CAR)
OVER 19.5 -110
UNDER 19.5 -110

TOTAL TOUCHDOWN PASSES BY: CAM NEWTON (CAR)
OVER 1.5 -145
UNDER 1.5 +125

TOTAL RUSHING YARDS BY: CAM NEWTON (CAR)
OVER 36.5 -110
UNDER 36.5 -110

WILL CAM NEWTON (CAR) SCORE A TOUCHDOWN?
YES +150
NO -170

TOTAL RUSHING YARDS BY: JOHNATHAN STEWART (CAR)
OVER 72.5 -110
UNDER 72.5 -110

TOTAL RECEIVING YARDS BY: GREG OLSEN (CAR)
OVER 62.5 -110
UNDER 62.5 -110

WILL BOTH TEAMS MAKE 33 YARD OR LONGER FIELD GOALS?
YES +160
NO -180

SHORTEST TD OF GAME
**If no td is scored--all bets are refunded
**Includes all returns
***Fumble recovery in end zone-- under is the winner
OVER 1.5 +110
UNDER 1.5 -130

LARGEST LEAD OF THE GAME BY: EITHER TEAM
OVER 13.5 -165
UNDER 13.5 +145

WILL EITHER TEAM SCORE IN THE FINAL 2 MINUTES OF THE FIRST HALF?
**(Includes safety)
YES -280
NO +240

TOTAL QB SACKS BY: BOTH TEAMS
OVER 4.5 -110
UNDER 4.5 -110

TOTAL POINTS BY: CARDINALS
OVER 22.5 -110
UNDER 22.5 -110

TOTAL POINTS BY: PANTHERS
OVER 25.5 -110
UNDER 25.5 -110

**PLAYERS MUST PLAY FOR ACTION

**NO PARLAYS

Westgate posts possible Super Bowl 50 match-ups

Carolina is at a season high with its current rating. 

LAS VEGAS -- With the NFL’s final four set to dwindle down to two teams Sunday, on Tuesday the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook posted spreads and totals for all four possible Super Bowl 50 match-ups for bettors to chew on through the week before the true opening number is posted Sunday night at the completion of the NFC Championship game.

It’s obvious by the numbers that the Westgate has New England rated 1-point better than both equal NFC teams with Denver being 3-points worse than Arizona or Carolina.

The game will be played at Levi’s Stadium on Sunday February 7, 2016 in Santa Clara with the AFC being labeled as the home team (no point advantage given).

Let’s take a look:

Cardinals
Patriots -1, 49

Cardinals -3, 44.5
Broncos

Panthers
Patriots -1, 47.5

Panthers -3, 43
Broncos

A Denver win against the rapidly increased rating of the Patriots -- Julian Edelman impact -- might elevate their rating higher and close the field goal gap, but SuperBook manager Ed Salmons doesn’t think it would increase too much.

“If I saw Manning do something completely different from what we’ve seen all season and look really good, Denver might be raised a little higher, but even if they were able to win by a large margin over the Patriots and Manning looked the same, I wouldn’t increase their rating much,“ said Salmons.

Read More Here....VegasInsider.com

15-1 teasers in divisional round wipe out Vegas

Planet Hollywood sports book had plenty of happy bettors Sunday.

A few Las Vegas sports books may seriously consider not offering teasers during the NFL playoffs next season after suffering losses in the high six-figure range during the Divisional Playoff round over the weekend. It’s a decision that many have pondered over the past few seasons just because teasers have been a consistent loser, but with 15 of the 16 teaser options between the four games Saturday and Sunday cashing, it’s something that has to definitely be revisited again.

The only reason sports books haven’t crossed the playoff teasers off the wagering menu is because of competition throughout the city. No book wants to be the first to axe something from a public relations standpoint, but no book likes losing in one area, either. And when a category sticks out like a sore thumb each and every year during the playoffs, it’s time to make a change. The edge has shifted to the players massively in one area, and sports book operators are entrusted to protect the house.

In the past three seasons of the divisional round, 6-point teaser sides had gone 19-5. This past weekend, all side wagers went 8-0 in teasers and the totals posted a 7-1 mark.

The other three games were all-way teaser wins. It didn’t matter what you bet on a teaser in three of the games -- bettors cashed on basically anything they chose as you can see below.

New England 27 Kansas City 20
KC +13/OVER 41 - WIN
KC +13/UNDER 50.5 WIN
NE PK/OVER 41 - WIN
NE PK/UNDER 50.5 - WIN

Arizona 26 Green Bay 20 (OT)
GB +13/OVER 42.5 - WIN
GB +13/UNDER 55.5 - WIN
ARI -1/OVER 42.5 - WIN
ARI -1/UNDER 55.5 - WIN

Carolina 31 Seattle 24
SEA +8.5/OVER 38 - WIN
SEA +8.5/UNDER 50 - LOSS
CAR +3.5/OVER 38 - WIN
CAR +3.5/UNDER 50 - LOSS

Denver 23 Pittsburgh 15
PITT +13/OVER 35.5 - WIN
PITT +13/UNDER 47.5 - WIN
DEN -1/OVER 35.5 - WIN
DEN -1/UNDER 47.5 - WIN

The only teaser losses of the weekend was those who took Seattle/Carolina UNDER 50 in their wagers.

Where else is there in the casino that has a proposition such as the sports book with teasers where there is a possibility that the book could lose all options of a single offering? Pro and college basketball teasers are no big deal, nor is college football because the ratings aren‘t as strong, but with the NFL it’s an entirely different story.

Read More Here....VegasInsider.com

Who is money on in Vegas for NFL Divisional Playoff games?

Below are three charts showing the current odds and trends for the four NFL Divisional Playoff games this weekend by point spread, money line, and combined score as of 1/15/16 at 1:30PM PST. Bettors at the 104 William Hill US Sports Books and on the Mobile Sports app are currently in favor of the Chiefs, Cardinals, Panthers, and Broncos covering in the percentage of point spread total dollars wagered.

NFL DIVISIONAL GAMES	CURRENT POINT SPREAD	% of TICKETS AS OF 1:30PM PST on 1/15/16	% of $’s WAGERED AS OF 1:30PM  PST on 1/15/16
CHIEFS vs. PATRIOTS	PATRIOTS -5	58% CHIEFS	60% CHIEFS
PACKERS vs. CARDINALS	CARDINALS -7	56% CARDINALS	59% CARDINALS
SEAHAWKS vs. PANTHERS	PANTHERS -2	69% PANTHERS	53% PANTHERS
STEELERS vs. BRONCOS	BRONCOS -7	73% BRONCOS	71% BRONCOS

NFL DIVISIONAL GAMES	CURRENT MONEY LINE	% of TICKETS AS OF 1:30PM PST on 1/15/16	% of $’s WAGERED AS OF 1:30PM PST on 1/15/16
CHIEFS vs. PATRIOTS	CHIEFS +195, PATRIOTS -230	83% CHIEFS	68% PATRIOTS
PACKERS vs. CARDINALS	PACKERS +250, CARDINALS -300	76% PACKERS	65% PACKERS
SEAHAWKS vs. PANTHERS	SEAHAWKS +105, PANTHERS -125	60% SEAHAWKS	59% SEAHAWKS
STEELERS vs. BRONCOS	STEELERS +280, BRONCOS -340	68% STEELERS	85% BRONCOS

NFL DIVISIONAL GAMES	CURRENT TOTAL	% of TICKETS AS OF 1:30PM PST on 1/15/16	% of $’s WAGERED AS OF 1:30PM PST on 1/15/16
CHIEFS vs. PATRIOTS	42.5	71% OVER	82% UNDER
PACKERS vs. CARDINALS	49.5	81% OVER	65% OVER
SEAHAWKS vs. PANTHERS	44	71% OVER	90% OVER
STEELERS VS BRONCOS	OFF	OFF	OFF

Big Ben practices Friday, throws, but listed questionable

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger threw in practice on Friday but remains questionable for Sunday's AFC divisional playoff game against Denver.

Roethlisberger is dealing with a sprained right shoulder sustained in last weekend's wild-card win over Cincinnati. Roethlisberger was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday but was a full participant in the final major workout before the Steelers face the Broncos.

Coach Mike Tomlin says Roethlisberger did everything he was asked on Friday.

While the team remains optimistic Roethlisberger will play, wide receiver Antonio Brown and running back DeAngelo Williams are officially out. Brown is still going through the NFL's concussion protocol after getting hurt in the final moments against the Bengals. Williams will miss a second straight week with an injured right foot.

Most sports books open Steelers-Broncos line on Friday

Bettors playing lots of teasers this weekend.

Las Vegas sports books haven't even seen 10 percent of the action they'll take in over the weekend in the four NFL divisional playoff games, but early indications show it’s going to be a teaser kind of weekend for bettors.

And why not?

The spreads on the games are perfect for the teaser with a couple of 7’s and a few dogs crossing key numbers. Best of all for teaser bettors is they have some recent history on their sound during this round. How does the all-way side teaser going 7-1 in the Divisional Playoff round last year sound? How about 19-5 in the past three years?

The sports books set some nice numbers where all eight remaining teams usually play to their true ratings. The reflection of how good those numbers are is what happens if you add 6-points to each side. Last season three of the four divisional games were all-way side winners.

Can you imagine that? Just walking to the betting counter this week and saying, "I’m betting the line is perfect and I’ll take both the Patriots and Chiefs in a 6-point teaser." Then the Patriots win 20-16, and you cash. Don’t try that, really, it’s not a strong betting move, but it’s an example of what has been happening lately in this round. These spreads are tight.

The one spread that still has some loose ends is Sunday’s game with Pittsburgh at Denver, where most sports books kept the game off the board all week until posting Broncos -7 on Friday. Will Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (shoulder) play? That is the main question.

"We didn’t post a line until today (Friday) on the Denver game because there was too much uncertainty with the Steelers key performers," said South Point sports book director Bert Osborne. "Antonio Brown is now out, Roethlisberger hasn’t thrown a pass in practice yet (through Thursday) and (DeAngelo) Williams is likely out. That’s basically their entire offensive attack in limbo."

Osborne is still waiting on any Roethlisberger news, but posted Denver -7 (no total) Friday without the news just because of all the weekend action that has started to heat up. It’s the NFL playoffs. People are excited and they want to bet all the games.

CG Technology books have been playing the wait and see game with Pittsburgh while posting a number for low limits -- wise guys get only $1,000. They were one of the few books in town in town with a number posted all week.

"We opened Denver at -6 on Monday knowing there we’re lots of injury issues surrounding the Steelers and we we’re steady at -6.5 for most of the week and got mostly Denver money," said Jason Simbal, VP of risk management for CG Technology.

"So we moved to -7 on Thursday, then when Brown was ruled out Friday we moved to -7 -120 and then someone immediately took +7 EVEN, so we’re down -7 -115 now."

Read More Here.......VegasInsider.com

Sunday NFL Divisional Playoffs Selections

Crazy seeing Seattle getting points, even though Carolina is 15-1..

LAS VEGAS — When my partner Kenny White and I discussed the divisional round games, we were most excited about Sunday's. There are so many intriguing storylines in both, and perhaps the most interesting is yet to be written — Ben Roethlisberger’s shoulder. Will he play, and if so, how well? The spread is waiting in limbo at most sports books as his status is important to the number.

The Seahawks have kicked it into high gear, just like last season, but as Carolina showed during its come from behind regular season win at Seattle, some of the intimidation factor of five straight Seattle wins against them might be over.

Then we’ve got Peyton Manning returning to the starting lineup in a home game, a situation where he was a disappointing 1-2 the past three years in Denver when we knew he was good to go. He had 17 ugly interceptions this season to only nine TD passes. Maybe it was always about his foot. Maybe not.

Crazy stuff happens when the night falls on Denver in January, which makes the nightcap the perfect setting to end the weekend. Images of Ike Taylor grasping for Demaryius Thomas’ jersey after a catching a Tim Tebow laser to win the 2011 wild-card game is just one of the many classic examples. At the end of the 2005 season, a young Roethlisberger led sixth-seeded Pittsburgh to an AFC Championship win at Denver and then won the Super Bowl.

MORE: Full Saturday selections from The Linemakers

Pittsburgh and Denver have met seven times in the playoffs (Denver 4-3) with the eventual winner of the game going to the Super Bowl five times.

Our theme this week is riding the teasers in all the games. Let’s take a look at Sunday’s action.

Read More Here....Free Picks from TheLinemakers.com

Saturday NFL Divisional Playoff Selections

Two-team teasers have killed for the sports books in divisional round.

LAS VEGAS — The divisional playoff round is usually when we see teams play to their full power rating capabilities and when two-team, 6-point teasers offer value given how close some of these games are relative to the spread.

Last year, all sides (not including totals) between the eight teams participating in the divisional round went 7-1 on teasers. You could have bet a teaser on both sides of three games and cashed. We don’t recommend that strategy, but it’s a great example of how close the spreads are to the final results in this round. In the two years prior, the teaser sides went a combined 12-4 making it 19-5 over the past three seasons in the divisional round.

MORE: Full Sunday picks from Vegas | NFL live odds page

My partner Kenny White and I have plays on many of the regular point spreads and totals for all four games this weekend, but we emphasize taking advantage of what has continually been a losing proposition for sports books in this round where getting six points is a proven winner for bettors. If it’s a proposition the books regularly lose on, why not keep taking advantage? To make it fair for the books, they probably should be charging -150 on a 6-point two-team teaser in this round.

Here’s a look at our selections from both of Saturday’s games, and be sure to check out our Sunday selections as well.

Read More Here.....TheLinemakers.com

Broncos planning for Roethlisberger and Brown to play

Ben Roethlisberger expected to play Sunday at Denver.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Big Ben can talk.

The Broncos aren't buying anything Ben Roethlisberger says about possibly missing an AFC divisional-round playoff game Sunday.

So don't even get Denver's players started on Antonio Brown's status.

“Nah, they'll be there,” cornerback Aqib Talib said Wednesday afternoon. “They'll be there. We know that.

“Ben can say whatever he wants. He has torn bursa sacs, and he'll be there. We know you'll (be) there, Ben.”

Talib was not alone among Broncos who acknowledged preparations account for a Steelers' offense led by Roethlisberger and Brown. Defensive tackle Sylvester Williams said Roethlisberger would “be at his best, I can promise you that.”

This is not a case of the Broncos doubting Roethlisberger's injured right shoulder or Brown's concussion symptoms. Most Denver players spoke respectfully of the Steelers' quarterback and leading wide receiver.

Read more: http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/9793336-74/broncos-steelers-ben#ixzz3xFFlrlcq

2017 College Football Championship odds posted in Vegas

Michigan opens up at 15-to-1 (only 5 teams with lower odds)

WESTGATE LAS VEGAS SUPERBOOK

2017 COLLEGE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
NRG STADIUM-- HOUSTON, TX
MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 2017

ALABAMA 6
OKLAHOMA 7
CLEMSON 7
OHIO ST 10
BAYLOR 12
NOTRE DAME 15
FLORIDA ST 15
TENNESSEE 15
LSU 15
MICHIGAN 15
MICHIGAN ST 20
OLE MISS 20
STANFORD 20
UCLA 30
GEORGIA 30
AUBURN 30
TCU 30
OKLAHOMA ST 40
OREGON 40
WASHINGTON 40
FLORIDA 50
LOUISVILLE 60
UTAH 60
USC 60
BOISE ST 100
ARIZONA ST 100
ARKANSAS 100
HOUSTON 100
IOWA 100
MIAMI FL 100
NEBRASKA 100
NORTH CAROLINA 100
TEXAS 100
TEXAS A & M 100
WISCONSIN 100
ARIZONA 300
BYU 300
CAL 300
GEORGIA TECH 300
MINNESOTA 300
MISSISSIPPI ST 300
PENN ST 300
PITT 300
SOUTH CAROLINA 300
VIRGINIA TECH 300
WASHINGTON ST 300
WEST VIRGINIA 300
DUKE 500
NC STATE 500
VIRGINIA 500
CINCINNATI 1000
COLORADO 1000
ILLINOIS 1000
INDIANA 1000
KANSAS ST 1000
KENTUCKY 1000
MISSOURI 1000
NORTHWESTERN 1000
SAN DIEGO ST 1000
SOUTH FLORIDA 1000
TEMPLE 1000
TEXAS TECH 1000
UTAH ST 1000
BOSTON COLLEGE 1000

**ALL BETS ARE ACTION

**GAME MUST BE PLAYED 8 DAYS WITHIN SCHEDULED DATE FOR ACTION

Vikings help sports books to winning Wild Card weekend

The Mandalay Bay sports book was jam packed on Sunday

LAS VEGAS -- For the first time ever during an NFL Playoff weekend all four road teams won, three of which happened to be favorites with the other only being a small underdog who originally opened as the favorite.

The net result for the Las Vegas sports books was a winning Wild Card weekend, but almost every book had the feeling of chips being left on the table when Vikings kicker Blair Walsh missed a 27-yard go-ahead field goal with 26 seconds remaining, which helped the Seahawks advance to next weekend’s divisional playoff round with a 10-9 win.

“Seattle was a good win for us in regards to parlays,” said South Point sports book director Bert Osborne, “but the teasers hurt us as did the Seattle money-line.”

The Seahawks had been as high as six-point favorites, but closed -4.5 at most sports books. Had the Vikings won 12-10, it would have destroyed a huge chunk of remaining teasers that had Seattle +1.5 to pick ‘em.

Osborne said the Seahawks, who were the biggest favorites of the weekend, was the most heavily bet teaser and parlay game of weekend. Seattle had been a popular choice at -230 on all money-line parlays and the missed field goal allowed several to cash with the Saturday’s two favorites -- Kansas City and Pittsburgh -- winning.

“Today (Sunday) was okay, said CG TechnologyVP of risk management Jason Simbal. “The Vikings covering for us was good, but it would have been better if they won. We went red/red (any side/total decision) into the last game because of parlays, but were guaranteed a winning day once the Vikings got there.”

Most books opened the Packers -1 or pick ‘em but by kickoff, enough Redskins straight bet action had pushed the Redskins to -1.5 which made them the only home favorites of the weekend. After the Redskins jumped out to early 11-0 lead, most Washington bettors had an uneasy feeling about their wager just because the Redskins had already squandered so many scoring opportunities. The Packers end up outscoring Washington 35-8 after spotting them the lead, which ended Green Bay’s two-game losing streak and Washington’s four-game winning streak.

“The last game of these playoff weekends is always rough because so much risk is built up from the first three games,” said Osborne, “and we had equal action on the Packers and Redskins, so we still managed to do okay with it.”

Read More Here.....VegasInsider.com

Alabama or Clemson? Selection from Las Vegas

Las Vegas a fun place to watch championship games. Intense crowds.

LAS VEGAS -- There’s no question Alabama is the higher rated team in Monday’s national title game against Clemson, but is that rating gap really worth 6.5 points? According to Las Vegas oddsmaker Kenny White, the gap between the two teams is about half that number.

“Alabama’s played the better schedule in the SEC,” said White, “and Alabama’s the better team with the far better defense, but with the recent big wins by Clemson the disparity between the two closed to the point where, Alabama is rated only 3-points better (5-points better prior to ACC Championship). At the beginning of the season, the differential was 9-points.”

The added inflation to the number is sort of a luxury tax because sports books know the majority of the action will come on Alabama. Most books opened Alabama -7 just to see if they’d get some feelers taking the points, and some sharps did, which caused many to move to -7 (EVEN) or -6.5. William Hill’s 104 sports books across Nevada have taken 71 percent of the tickets written on Alabama, as well as 61 percent of the overall cash taken in.

Read More Here.......TheLinemakers.com

Alabama-Clemson Wagering Breakdown at William Hill

ALABAMA VS CLEMSON: POINT SPREAD

TEAMS	Current Point Spread 4PM PST	% of # of Tickets on Point Spread	% of total $’s wagered on Point Spread
ALABAMA	-6.5 (-110)	70%	69%
CLEMSON	+6.5 (-110)	30%	31%

ALABAMA VS CLEMSON: MONEY LINE

TEAMS	Current Money Line 4PM PST	% of # of Tickets on Point Spread	% of total $’s wagered on Point Spread
ALABAMA	-260	11%	37%
CLEMSON	+220	89%	63%

ALABAMA VS CLEMSON: OVER/UNDER

TEAM	Total 4PM PST	% of # of Tickets on Total	% of total $’s wagered on Total
OVER	50.5 (-110)	54%	26%
UNDER	50.5 (-110)	46%	74%