student

[windmill]

RENO

Do you play nba totals? The books seem to be paranoid of these bets. Is it still a valid bet? Or have the big groups taken all the value out of it? Such as years past, like BW.
Is that why they lowered the limits?

[reno]

Windmill, I play NBA totals the first two weeks of a season. According to the computer programmer I was working with before, the NBA totals moves win the first few weeks of the season and then go sideways. The past couple of days there was plenty of two-way action on totals, so I didn't bandwagon. After this week, unless Slam Dunk, whose NBA tout service I subscribe to, releases totals plays, I'll only be playing sides.

According to Roxy, who used to head LVSC, the books have little, if any, edge against the players on NBA totals. Consequently, most books offer considerably smaller limits on totals. Maybe Scotty, the former Stardust BM who now runs LVSC, can give us his take on NBA totals.

What often takes much of the value out of NBA totals is the wiseguys hammering the overnight line. Sometimes games move 5 points overnight. Players who wait til dawn to bet are at a disadvantage value-wise.

[Jeff]

I think the recent rule changes put alot of people out of the NBA totals business, at least temporarily, me included.

As far as the groups, I don't think they take the value out of NBA totals. They add to the value.

If you've had success at NBA totals, you know there is nothing better than liking a game under 200, moving to 203.

[scott]

Great topic! We always made $$ dealing NBA totals. Not beating anyone but simply encouraging action. No X's, reasonable limits, put them up early, let players double pop us, take action from guys you know are going to win. The numbers will move, players and wanabe players will think the #s are bad because they move 5-6 pts but we could always get buyback. If you get middled SO WHAT !! No player is going to say" I quit.I middled you and I'm keeping your $$". Quite the opposit happens. The secret is TAKE BETS, don't play faces because you dont have to beat anyone. I realize it's a little different now. Not as much buyback but mabey my I could encourage some. Bottom line: the players are smarter but a bookmaker doesn't have to beat them. 11 is bigger than 10. Reno will always be there to buyback so thats a start...Scotty