A Long Time Ago In A Galaxy Far, Far Away…
Sports betting news and information for bettors by bettors
I'm sure we would all like to have the power of the Force guiding us when we are making our bets at our favorite sportsbooks. But we all can't be Jedi Masters or Sith Lords. However, if the Mandalorian wants to swing by with Grogu when football season rolls around, I will not turn them away.
I say football because that is what I prefer to bet on — which is why I appreciate the USFL. But there is more to the world of sports betting than football right now. The NBA Playoffs have progressed into the second round, the MLB season is underway, the Stanley Cup playoffs kicked off this week, the Kentucky Derby is on for Saturday, etc.
So many sports betting opportunities, so little time! Let's talk about a few of them…
NBA Playoffs: Conference Semis
If you are looking for action on a nightly basis, you can't go wrong with the NBA Playoffs. Each conference has a series that is 1-1 and one that is 2-0. This means we have some competitive series on our hands and a couple with teams desperate to hold on to fading dreams.
It also means sports bettors have plenty of betting opportunities in the days ahead. But if wagering on the outcome of games makes you nervous, don't worry. Our writers diligently sift through the prop bets sportsbooks post for each game and series. If the stories are not on the front page of our news feed at GamingToday.com, they will likely be on page 2.
You can also follow how the NBA Championship odds change on our NBA Finals page.
Series updates: Bucks-Celtics | Mavs-Suns
Kentucky Derby: Ready For The Run For The Roses?
I would need the power of the Force if I were ever going to bet on the Kentucky Derby. While I appreciate the event and enjoy watching the race, I know more about shooting womp rats with my T-16 skyhopper than I know about horses.
But Kris Johnson does know his horses and has been hard at work creating content to help you navigate betting markets for the Run For The Roses. Are you looking for a long shot? He's got you covered. He also broke down the post position draw and betting odds earlier this week and spoke to a Las Vegas oddsmaker for his take on Saturday’s race.
USFL Week 4
Picking winners in this league is daunting. While it seems apparent some teams are better than others, these teams are evolving (or devolving?) every week. A team that struggled last week could thrive this week and vice versa. On that note, there is only one game I feel comfortable putting money on this week:
Generals (-9.5 at FanDuel) vs. Maulers
I don’t love laying big spreads, but the Generals can move the ball (especially on the ground), and their defense is solid.
As for the Maulers .... My momma always told me if I didn't have anything nice to say, say nothing at all.
In Saturday’s evening kickoff, the Stallions are overrated, but the Bandits have proven to be unreliable so far. If I were going to bet on this game, I'd take the Bandits and the 3.5 points. New Orleans has a solid defense but not much of an offense. Houston can move the ball, but there has been no consistency from them this season.
As for the Stars vs. Panthers, I can't get behind a Jeff Fisher-coached team. While the Stars lost their starting QB last week, Fisher has struggled to get his team on track.
Elsewhere in the Wide World Of Sports Betting…
I could go on and on about all the bettable sporting events. But doing so would make this the longest newsletter ever, and I'm not going to do that to my readers. However, I do want to touch on some of the other events we've covered in the last week:
The UFC has an intriguing card this weekend in Phoenix. Check out Cyrus Eshaghoff’s article breaking down UFC 274 from a betting perspective.
The Stanley Cup Playoffs got underway this week. Bob Christ took a look at some NHL futures and highlighted a couple he thinks have value.
With the NFL Draft behind us, it's time to get your bets in for Offensive Rookie of the Year and Defensive Rookie of the Year.
If you want to get down early on some NFL games, odds are out for the international series and the first TNF game on Prime Video.
This Week On The Sports Betting Legal Landscape…
Legal sports betting is on its way to the Pine Tree State. On Monday, Governor Janet Mills signed LD 585, which authorizes mobile and retail sports betting in Maine. Mary Shaffrey covered the news earlier in the week.
In other legal developments…
California voters have a chance to approve mobile and retail sports betting on the November ballot. A measure allowing for retail sports betting was already on the ballot, and a group led by DraftKings and FanDuel secured enough signatures to get a measure allowing for mobile sports betting added.
Retail sports betting has launched in Maryland, but online betting does not look particularly close. Caesars, in fact, is skeptical that online betting will go live in Maryland this year and has shifted its focus to Ohio. For more on this development, check out Rebecca Hanchett's report.
Sportsbook Promotions: May 5, 2022
These are some of the best promotions I have seen this week at sportsbooks:
BetMGM: NBA and Stanley Cup Playoffs. If your team loses in overtime, get your stake back, up to $25.
BetRivers: NHL Playoffs. Bet three $10 same-game-parlays and get a $10 free bet.
DraftKings: UFC 274. New Users, bet $5+ on any UFC 274 pre-fight moneyline and win a $150 bonus if your fighter wins. The same offer is also available on an NBA pre-game moneyline.
Caesars: Playoff Crossover. Place a two-leg NHL parlay on Thursday for $25+, min odds +200, and get a $20 free bet to use on NBA games.
FanDuel: No Sweat Same Game Parlay. Place a 3+ Leg SGP or SGP+ on an NBA Playoff game and if your bet loses, get a refund in free bets (max $20).
UFC fans can also get parlay insurance at FanDuel and Caesars.
Beginner's Beat: Live Betting
If you are just getting into sports betting, it is understandable if things like live betting or in-game betting excite you. The concept of betting on something while the game is in progress is pretty cool. I've done it a few times, and it was fun, and I enjoyed the game a little bit more because of it. However, certain aspects of it confused me.
Now, if I were to try to explain live betting here, it would take more space than this little section is designed to take up. So, instead, I recommend an article Mike Epifani wrote for Gaming Today, Why Live Betting Is Suspended On Sportsbook Apps.
It is well-written and informative. Had I read something similar before the first time I placed a live bet, I would not have found the experience nearly as confusing.
That does it for this edition of the GamingToday Playbook. As always, I hope you enjoyed reading it and found it informative. If you have any questions or want to request a topic to get covered in a future newsletter, you can reach me via email at travis.pulver@catenamedia.com or via Twitter at @FatManWriting.
This week I'd like to leave you with some wise words from everyone's favorite little green guy, Yoda, from easily the worst movie in the Star Wars franchise, The Phantom Menace:
"Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger; anger leads to hate; hate leads to suffering. I sense much fear in you."
May The Force Be With You,
Travis Pulver, Sports Betting Writer