By Timothy An

Moneyline: Moneyline is where you be on what team is going to win specific games. If the Spurs’ odds to win are -130 and the Warriors’ odds to win are +110, it means the Spurs are favored to win.

- If you bet $130 on the Spurs, you would win $100.

- If you bet $100 on the Warriors you would win $110.

a). (z/100) = (y/x) b). (100/z) = (y/x)

If you want to calculate how much you would win if you bet a value other than $100, use the equations above to calculate. The equation in (a) is to solve for the odds if it is a negative number. You put the odd in (z), then how much you want to be in (y), then solve for (x). So, let’s say you want to bet $50 on the Spurs winning and their line is set at -140.

(140/100) = (50/x)

X = 35.71

In this particular case, you would get a payout of $35.71.

Betting the Line: Betting the line means that you are essentially betting to double your money. An example of a line would be Los Angeles Lakers -9.5 and Miami Heat +9.5. This means that the odds are set at the Laker’s winning by 9.5 points. You can either bet the Lakers -9.5, which means you are predicting the Lakers will win by 10 or more points. Or you can bet Miami Heat +9.5, which means you are predicting that the Miami Heat will win, or lose by 9 or less. If you are correct, you double your money, and if you are incorrect you lose it all.

SUREFIRE BETS OF THE WEEK:

Arizona Cardinals (-1.5) vs. New England Patriots

The Patriots enter this matchup coming off a loss against the Houston Texans in Week 11. Sitting at a record of 4-6, the Patriots are just not as good as we are used to them being. The Cardinals, on the other hand, have been great this season, sitting at 6-4. They are coming off of a tough loss to the Seattle Seahawks last week, but have proven to be a great offensive unit so far this season. The Patriots will find a way to slow down Kyler Murray and the Cardinals offense, but the Patriots offense will have a difficult time getting anything going. With the line set at 1.5, this is practically a toss up game and I like the Cardinals to cover. 

Seattle Seahawks (-5.5) vs. Philadelphia Eagles

The Seahawks enter this matchup with a 7-3 record against the 3-6-1 Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles have a lot at stake in this game. They are currently half a game behind the Washington Football Team and need this victory if they want to stay atop the NFC East. However, this Seahawks passing attack is too dynamic for the Eagles defense to handle. I’m expecting a big game out of Russell Wilson, DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett to give the Seahawks a blowout victory on Monday night. 

*Bet at your own risk

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