The Madness is getting so close you can taste it. Hell, some of you reading this column are probably already here ready to watch the bevy of conference tournaments that call Las Vegas home. Here’s part 2 of our sportsbook preview series grading books as worthy destinations to watch, bet, and drink during high season. Making the Grade Part 1 Mandalay Bay (MGM Resorts) Mandalay Bay may not be center strip but the property should be on every tourists wish list for tremendous dining options and a sensational pool. However when it comes to the sportsbook, I’m officially off the bandwagon of this popular spot. Expansive by nature with plenty of seating, what once was must see TV for sports bettors is no longer a top tier venue. I’ve never been a fan of the schoolhouse style desks (cue boarding school flashbacks) or the precarious angles with which you need to strain your neck for checking out the secondary games. LED board lettering is a bit small making those of us without 20/20 vision uneasy reading off the correct team names or betting index numbers just minutes for post. Aside from the bar at the back of the book there’s no viable food option conveniently within walking distance because the deli in the book is simply meh.   When we’re talking about lines and betting options Mandalay Bay makes the grade under the MGM family umbrella but if you’re looking to buy points in a hoops game unfortunately they don’t allow it. I feel like this is one of the more polarizing books for me on the strip and it simply doesn’t make the grade with most other outfits having worked to modernize their surroundings. Grade: B- Aria (MGM Resorts) Sometimes there are women in...

The soccer gods smile upon us all with a full slate of mid-week fixtures.  Let’s call this an appetizer for the weekend’s biggest match in North London that will have major ramifications in the quest to top the table.  To give us some clarity James Kempton is back to offer his comprehensive thoughts. Aston Villa v Everton Everton -0.75 and 2.25 goals The last ten EPL meetings have seen at least two goals and over 2.5 goals is 13-4 in the last seventeen games including Everton’s 4-0 win at Goodison Park earlier this season. If that trend of plentiful goals continues here then I can’t see anything bar an away win as Villa have thrown the towel in for the season. Can you trust Everton on this line away from home though? I know I can’t! Bournemouth v Southampton PK and 2.25 goals Bournemouth ground out a hard earned point away to Watford on Saturday whilst Southampton should consider themselves a tad unlucky to have lost at home to Chelsea. The recent defensive strength of the Saints makes me want to take the away side here and it should be a similar showing to their recent 1-0 away win at Swansea. They shut Bournemouth out earlier this season and I see them doing the same here. Away team and unders. Leicester City v West Bromwich Albion Leicester -0.75 and 2.25 goals Leicester won 3-2 at the Hawthornes back on Halloween but this will probably be a much tighter and lower scoring encounter. The timing of this game is good for Leicester as they play the night before their title rivals giving them a chance to get points on the board with the home crowd sure to be supportive and loud. The resurgence of West...

The EPL table continues to tighten at the top and bottom as we’re officially into the final third of the grueling season.  Our EPL guru James Kempton is here to offer his thoughts and analysis on the best wagering opportunities this weekend EPL Podcast West Ham United v Sunderland West Ham -0.75 and 2.5 goals It was two apiece in the north east back in October but before that under 2.5 goals was 8-4 since November 2008. West Ham are just 4-6-2 against the bottom third so I can’t side with them against a desperate Mackems side giving up three quarters of a goal. I’d lean to the overs on the goal market but in truth I just want to skip this game and get on to the others. Leicester City v Norwich City Leicester -1 and 2.75 goals Leicester are 7-3-0 against the bottom third so surely the lower placed teams will now set up against Leicester as they would for a trip to the Emirates or the Etihad. If teams do sit deep against the Foxes how will they cope? They’ve drawn against both Bournemouth and Aston Villa in recent weeks so have they almost become better set up to play the bigger sides. I think Leicester will win the game but trusting them to cover a full goal line is fraught with danger. The league leaders have kept five cleans sheets though in their last eight league matches so that should give some comfort to those brave enough to give up a full goal. Southampton v Chelsea Scratch and 2.25 goals I watched the Saints’ famous and convincing 3-1 win at Stamford Bridge back in October in the cozy confines of the Monte Carlo Sportsbook in Las Vegas. They’ll be confident...

It’s about that time of year…everyone across the country has reached their breaking point with that season called winter. Some are scrambling to put together last minute spring break plans (yes us old guys are jealous) while others are looking for any reason under the sun to make a Vegas pilgrimage with college hoops season reaching a crescendo. Many have asked about the various sportsbooks here and what venues they should make an effort to explore.  I’ll share some more specific March Madness notes in a few weeks about various events but here are my honest thoughts on the sportsbooks that call the east side of Vegas Blvd home (will review the west side and Westgate next week) Tropicana (Cantor) There might not be a better book from an aesthetics stand point that consistently flies under the radar. Tropicana outsourced it’s race and sports operations to Cantor Technology and as a result has all the creature comforts tourists expect from a CG establishment. However this book being off the grid for most tourists means there’s frequently no energy in here. Busy sports weekends are different but on a typical Tuesday my college library had more excitement and slightly better looking coeds. I’d suggest this is a book that’s better to bet in if you’re shopping for a number but far from an establishment you want to call home home for a 12 hour session Grade: C MGM Grand (MGM-Mirage) There might not be a more iconic property on the strip than the Golden Lion and recognizable green edifices beckoning when you touch down at McCarran. However the sportsbook does leave a little to be desired in my opinion. Seating is sparse for busy sporting events and the lack of a modernized video display fails...

UFC FN 83 Cowboy Cerrone vs. Cowboy Oliveira: Which Poke get choked? All analysis provided by GambLou Welcome fight Enthusiasts. Today’s UFC presentation from Pittsburgh offers a plethora of pups with potential to payout. Let’s muse for mongrel’s…. UFC 2016:   8-10 + $91.00 (All GambLou.com releases are understood to be a standard and hypothetical $100.00 per position unless otherwise stated. We employ $100.00 to easily track results as every GambLou.com release is accounted for each Monday AM. Public accounting allows us to display bottom line profitability while providing our readers with 110% disclosure). -Let’s Fight- Sarafian -155 vs. Bamgbose +145 Sarafian has been off for over a year and gives away length, size, and speed to the younger and more explosive underdog. We feel mucho improvement is coming from Oluwale off his last fight (his first in the UFC). Bounce time Bamgbose +145 (half) Bermudez -345 vs. Kawajiri +315 Dennis Bermudez is an excellent wrestler with decent power and super cardio however the one thing all those tremendous features do not make up for is a porcelain beak. When hit on the point Bermudez busts. Kawajiri enters the longer, taller guy which for Bermudez is nothing new but the feeling here is that Kawajiri can compete with Dennis anywhere this fight goes. Moreover we feel that Kawajiri may in fact try to drag Dennis to the mat and maul him from top position. Both men enter in desperation mode yet while this fight appears to be a set up for Bermudez we feel quite otherwise. Kawajiri +315 (half) Garbrandt -345 vs. Mendes +315 Cody Garbrandt is a talented well rounded MMA fighter that has more improvements to make on the mat than standing. He’ll enter this one after a late fighter switch that now...

With only a third of the EPL season remaining the title race is really starting to heat up.  Two matches on Sunday will go a long way in determining the pecking order atop the table.  James Kempton is here to give us a bit of clarity while previewing every single fixture on the schedule. Listen to the EPL Podcast Sunderland v Manchester United Manchester United -0.75 and 2.25 goals Sunderland are 0-1-8 when taking on the top half teams of the league and have won just one of the last twenty seven EPL meetings of these two sides. Recent showings have been encouraging for the Mackems but I am more positive about United after last weeks trip to Chelsea. I can see those strong trends in this fixture continuing with Manchester United finding a way to get the job done but with the line shifting from -0.5 to 0.75 my enthusiasm has been slightly dampened. Bournemouth v Stoke City Bournemouth -0.5 and 2.25 goals It’s been three games in a row now where Stoke have conceded three goals and it’s clear to see they are a different defensive side without Ryan Shawcross in the line up. He is not due back until the end of February and I honestly cannot back them until he returns. I lean to the home side as this is one of those proverbial kitchen sink games that if they win can make a dramatic difference in avoiding relegation. Crystal Palace v Watford Crystal Palace -0.25 and 2.25 goals I think Palace are probably just too many points clear of the drop zone to be pulled into the relegation fight but it is a possibility. If it’s a possibility for them then Watford aren’t free and clear either just one...

I try to make this an annual tradition as the betting markets change and I hear more creative stories from the social media community about how they’ve put their money work for them. Degeneracy comes in many a form, often manifesting itself in the most fascinating glimpses of human nature. To figure out exactly what depths each of you has gone too here’s my informal quiz to quantify your current state. Don’t fret if you score off the charts, embrace your true self and be proud of what you’ve accomplished. (Note: this quiz is designed for North American bettors. There was no way to include every soccer, basketball, or other domestic league around the world without making head’s spin) Sports Section What Sports have you bet on in the last year? (Add 1 point for all that apply) (Note: I debated adding all derivative markets (Halves, props, futures) but like to think that’s the value seeker in us all speaking out not true degenerate behavior) Football (Possible 5 points) NFL CFL NCAA Arena Football Other Basketball (Possible 4 points) NBA Euro Baskets NCAA Other Baseball (Possible 6 points) MLB NCAA Korean League Mexican League Japanese League Other Soccer (Possible 8 points) MLS EPL Serie A Bundesliga La Liga Europa UCL Other Hockey (Possible 3 points) NHL KHL Other Tennis (Possible 3 points) WTA ATP Challenger Golf (Possible 3 points) PGA LPGA Other Fighting (Possible 2 points) MMA Boxing Horse Racing (possible 7 points) Triple Crown Races Breeders Cup Saratoga, Del Mar, or Santa Anita Any other thoroughbred tracks Quarter Horses (LA Downs, Los Alamitos, etc) Sigma Derby Harness Racing Auto Racing (possible 4 points) NASCAR Indy Car Formula 1 Other Other Sports (Add 2 points for any of these you sickos) 26 possible Badminton...

We had the luxury of mid-week fixtures this week and the EPL clubs get right back into league play this weekend.  James Kempton is here to offer his thoughts on every fixture just like he does every week during the season Listen to the EPL podcast here Manchester City v Leicester City Manchester City -1 and 3 goals Leicester’s biggest attacking threat comes when they are able to play on the break. As the home side swarm forward Leicester will look to hit them with quick counter punches through that forceful direct play that has served them so well this campaign. Will the home team adjust tactically? If they do then that limits their effectiveness going forward and I do not think they will be prepared to show Leicester the respect they deserve. Why would they as nobody else does! I believe in Leicester but let’s not forget they don’t need to win this game or even draw the match to still be able to win the title. I’m swerving this one and in some ways from a betting perspective it might not be the worst thing if Leicester lose this game as I’m sure their future odds will almost double if they lose. If they do fail in this spot then that’s when we pounce! Aston Villa v Norwich City Aston Villa -0.25 and 2.25 goals The Canaries will want to make sure they avoid a loss at all costs. We are moving into the stage of the season where game theory begins to come into play. Will Norwich risk losing this game if it’s level and seeing a three point shift in the table? They’d be crazy too so I’m sure they will look to keep that parity come the final whistle....

Superbowl Sunday might be the biggest betting day of the entire season but for those in the industry it’s bittersweet.  We’re forced to say good bye to football season for seven months as we shift our betting energies to much less worthy pursuits.  For the final show of the season we brought on the hired guns.  Naturally industry insider PayneInsider brought it like he does every week and Dave Mason shared everything you need to know from how the house views the big game.  We also went deep into the rolodex to bring back a man of the people BarStoolBigCat.  I think you’ll enjoy our Superbowl spectacular to put a bow on a beautiful season. Special thanks to you, all of the listeners than make this podcast worth doing every single week. We also want to thank BetOnline for their season long sponsorship that includes generous offers to our listeners searching for a new book. Remember the best promotion in the business is still available up through kickoff on Sunday Listen to the podcast here every week or subscribe on SOUND CLOUD and...

The FA Cup spoiled our normal EPL viewing this past weekend.  That’s the bad part but the ancilary benefit is a full slate of mid-week fixtures to give us the football fix.  Like he does every round of the Premier League schedule James Kempton is here to share all this thoughts. Arsenal v Southampton Arsenal -0.75 and 2.5 goals The Gunners go into this game with their mental strength coming under fire. Yes there were circumstances that led to their home defeat against Chelsea that you couldn’t factor in but even before the sending off they were second best on the pitch. The Saints won at Old Trafford in their previous outing and they travel here filled with confidence. Give me the Saints in this one as maybe the wobble is well and truly on at The Emirates. Leicester City v Liverpool PK and 2.25 goals When Liverpool beat Leicester 1-0 on Boxing Day many thought that would be the beginning of the end for this Leicester dream! The Foxes have shown a good deal of resilience to shake off their poorer results this season and not let it affect their belief they can challenge. The Foxes sit top of the table yet this game is priced at PK! Liverpool have improved under Klopp but much of this has been based on his passion rather than a rise in talent level. Jamie Vardy will give this Pool defence heart attacks with his directness so I’m all over Leicester on this PK line. Norwich City v Tottenham Hotspur Tottenham -0.5 and 2.5 goals New signing Naismith bagged a goal in his debut for the Canaries last Saturday but they somehow managed to lose a game 5-4 that at one point they comfortably led 3-1. Spurs...

UFC Fox Johnson vs. Bader: Tap-out on the Turnpike All fight analysis provided by Gamblou Welcome UFC Enthusiasts. Today’s fight card features some pretty compelling fights for the followers like us that fancy Fido. We’ve had a slow start managing mongrels in 2016 but our game is about a consistent quest to uncover value in the UFC so the slow start concerns us not. We’ll not attempt to get it all back today by overreaching rather we understand that the 2016 UFC campaign has just begun so today we look to take home some take home and reduce our negative balance and create monumental momentum as we head into February while there remains numerous fight cards ahead of us. A steady hand, patience and consistency is what we are all about as we undergo dynamic Due Diligence, remain supremely Selective in determining what releases we make each Saturday there is a UFC fight card. Here’s the tail wagers we’ll talk about today: UFC 2016: 2-6 <340.00> -Let’s Fight- Brown -120 vs. Dwyer +100 We like Dwyer’s length but have questions about his cardio and chin. We know little about his opponent Randy Brown expect that he is strong where Dwyer is weak….the beak. We’ll read the line here as we trust our amigo Nick Kalikas when he sets numbers for these fights and Brown opened up -230 and we can get him now -125 (as of this writing). We’ll value grab here with our only non-canine of the card. Brown -120 Northcutt -280 vs. Barberena +230 Sage Northcutt is the UFC’s shiny new toy. He plays the part with well with a chiseled physique, a magnetic smile and superior skills. The only thing we have yet to see from Super Sage is if he...

Single game wagering is currently illegal in 49 states. The time to legalize our unofficial national past time is now. Gambling on sports has come under negative scrutiny recently amid match fixing allegations in tennis. The biggest misconception circulated by those against legalization is that creating a regulated environment somehow leads to more impropriety. This thought process is ridiculous and preposterous given that regulation of sports gambling in the States allows for better monitoring and policing like we have in other countries around the world. Most match fixing scandals are identified as a byproduct of bookmakers working directly with law enforcement. I had the chance to talk to a prominent tennis trader David Pentland from Corals earlier this week. Corals has a full list of policies and procedures in place to identify harmful irregularities in the integrity of betting markets. The majority of the matches we report are at the lowest level of the game (ITF). At this level there a number of players whom we will not price up, due to numerous irregular betting patterns on previous matches involving these players.  This is the first step in protecting ourselves against corruption, unfortunately it is not just a few isolated players. If a game is flagged up as being potentially suspicious, we will immediately cease betting on that match, and collate as much data as we can regarding the match and the customers that have bet on the match.  We will then withhold payment pending a full inquiry. After the data is collated (the data will include; markets affected, clients, bets, players, reasons for suspicion and any additional comments).  A spreadsheet will then be sent to our compliance manager who will then forward the relevant information on to the Tennis Integrity Unit  (Tennis Anti-Corruption...