March Madness Picks & UFC 260 Odds
Betting picks by sports bettors for sports bettors
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Welcome to the GamingToday Playbook! In our inaugural post, we cashed a prop bet at -110 and missed on Georgetown +200 against Colorado. 1-1 start leaves us about even to start off.
This week we will review more March Madness picks to get us into the Final Four and look at the UFC 260 PPV card.
March Madness Sweet 16 And Elite 8 Best Bets
Pick: Loyola Chicago To Reach The Final Four +150 Via PointsBet Sportsbook
My favorite dark-horse team to make noise in the tournament is doing everything that I had hoped. Loyola Chicago has the best defense in the tournament with just 55.8 points per game allowed.
Their road to get to the Final Four is easier than many projected with Illinois no longer standing in their way. Currently, the two games they would need to win would be Oregon State (where they are 6.5 point favorites) and either Houston or Syracuse.
If they get past Oregon State, I would project that they would be about even money against Houston. If Syracuse were to upset Houston, they would surely be favorites there too.
Pick: Baylor -7 vs. Villanova Is Best Bet Of The Sweet 16
This is just about my general disdain for Villanova recently. I am shocked that they made it this far. Winthrop narrowly lost to Nova’ and North Texas was barely a tournament team.
Conversely, Baylor is one of the most talented teams in the country. I would expect Baylor to have a big-time win here as a sizable favorite. If Houston is going to lay 6 to Syracuse - then Baylor could lay 11 to Villanova.
Increase Profitability With These Sportsbook Promotions
PointsBet Sportsbook: PointsBet Sportsbook will beat or match all tournament odds against DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM. The guarantee is set for Moneyline, Spread, and total markets.
Last week we talked about BetMGM’s promotion for a $2 million perfect bracket. It was hardly a promotion considering it has never happened. So, BetMGM Sportsbook is offering a $20 free bet if your team loses by a buzzer-beater. This is not automatic and does require an opt-in. It’s better but you can still find better promotions at other sportsbooks.
I hope everybody was loving FanDuel Sportsbook’s Michigan State “spread the love” promotion, which gave everyone a free $45.45. FanDuel is back to their usual stuff, they are offering parlay insurance, which they push frequently. “Parlays build books” so make sure to opt-in if you want a shot at your refund. The refund is up to $25 and must be 3-legs or more.
Predicting The Rest Of March Madness
“The games total quickly shot from 142 to 144. Interesting since seven of UCLA’s last 11 games have finished under 144. That makes under our play.” - Rob Miech
Our March Madness expert, Rob Miech, broke down the rest of the tournament starting with the Oral Roberts Eagles. Expect the unexpected? Or expect the expected? Miech has it all for you and suggests how to go forward in the tournament.
UFC Betting Is The Land Of Opportunity
My strategy in UFC betting is a bit different than most of the content you will see out there. I never lay big money on favorites. Mixed Martial Arts are far too unpredictable for that. Instead, I take it a step further and decide how they are going to win.
If you want full the UFC 260 analysis - check it out here. I broke down each main card fight and gave my method of victory props as well as a round prop for Sean O’Malley. The card is littered with big favorites, so push for value before you bet any fighter moneyline.
The UFC 259 best bets breakdown was quite profitable for anyone who tailed. If anyone had placed $100 bets on every UFC 259 pick, you would have profited $547 - including a loss on Petr Yan who dominated his fight and was given a DQ loss.
Stipe Miocic Via Decision +520 PointsBet Sportsbook
Stipe is my favorite dog on the card. Take into account that Stipe has already beaten Francis Ngannou. Ngannou just charges his opponents looking for knockouts. It works frequently - but will it work against Stipe? Stipe opened at +135 but the sharps have turned the fight into a near pick em’ - Stipe is +100 with Ngannou around -120 at most books.
This fight is extremely binary. Francis either lands the knockout on Stipe or Stipe wins by decision. It seems unlikely that Stipe lands a finish on Ngannou as he won’t be trading with him enough to land clean shots.
Khama Worthy Via Decision +500 FanDuel Sportsbook
I really like this spot for Worthy. We know he’s not going to get knocked out by Jamie Mullarkey. He may get taken down though which is my reason for taking the decision bet.
Worthy by KO is +190 which I think is absurdly high. Mullarkey lands takedowns - he just doesn’t do anything with them. Those takedown attempts should draw the fight out - but Worthy will do real damage to take the scorecard win.
This Week In Big Business Of Sports Betting
Sports Betting is big business - that much we know. We have seen plenty of sports betting companies go public recently and make a killing...
But what companies could be going public next? Get the latest from Chris Gerlacher who gives some insight about who could be going public next…
You know that game that everyone plays on the beach that requires next to zero physical exercise? Well - that game is called Cornhole and now you can bet on it.
DraftKings Sportsbook and the American Cornhole League reached an agreement this week. Find out how, where, and when you can get involved.
Florida is one of the biggest states in limbo for legalizing sports betting. The Seminole Tribes has a full monopoly on Florida gambling. However, Governor Ron Desantis is expressing optimism, as our political analyst Mary Shaffrey reports.
Man, if Florida and New York legalize sports betting in the next few weeks - get ready for madness in the sports betting industry. Especially on the stock market.
It is an exciting weekend ahead so make sure to “Bet with your head, not over it…”
~Erich Richter, Gaming Today Sports Betting Expert
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