Jankovic, Dementieva advance; Ivanovic ousted in Tokyo

Tennis Betting Lines

09/18/2008 - Tokyo, Japan (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Top-seeded Jelena Jankovic and Olympic champion Elena Dementieva breezed into the quarterfinals, while former world No. 1 Ana Ivanovic suffered a second-round setback Thursday at the $1.34 million Pan Pacific Open.

Russian Nadia Petrova upended the second-seeded Ivanovic 6-1, 1-6, 6-2 on Day 4 at Ariake Colosseum.

Since winning the French Open in June, the Australian Open runner-up Ivanovic, of Serbia, is a pedestrian 4-4, including a shock second-round ouster by little-known Frenchwoman Julie Coin last month at the U.S. Open, which marked her last match before Thursday's loss.

The U.S. Open runner-up Jankovic, of Serbia, destroyed Italian Flavia Pennetta 6-2, 6-1 in 61 minutes, while a third-seeded Dementieva needed just 69 minutes to dispose of France's Alize Cornet 6-0, 6-3.

With the win, Dementieva joined Jankovic, American Serena Williams, fellow Russian Dinara Safina and Ivanovic in qualifying for the season-ending Sony Ericsson Championships, where the world's top-eight players will compete in Doha, Qatar, from November 4-9.

"One of my goals has always been to get as close as possible to the top and to make it to the Sony Ericsson Championships," said Dementieva. "Making it to Doha just shows me that I've been doing a few things right this season, so I am just very happy about my qualification. I have played very well all year and I will certainly try my best to finish the season on a high note."

Dementieva titled here in 2006.

Meanwhile, fifth-seeded Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova destroyed wild card Ayumi Morita of Japan 6-1, 6-1 and sixth-seeded Pole Agnieszka Radwanska had little trouble with France's Marion Bartoli, winning 6-2, 6-3.

In other second-round action, Slovenian qualifier Katarina Srebotnik handled Italian Francesca Schiavone 6-4, 6-3 and Estonian qualifier Kaia Kanepi leveled France's Virginie Razzano 6-4, 6-2.

Friday's quarterfinals will pit Jankovic against Kuznetsova, Dementieva versus Srebotnik, a fourth-seeded Safina against Kanepi, and Radwanska versus Petrova. The rising Safina was this year's French Open and Olympic runner-up.

The 2008 champion at this Tier I hardcourt tournament will collect $196,900.

Wwwdrf2000 Tennis Betting News

<< Dodgers close series in Steel City
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The National League West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers will try to get back on track when they close out a four-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates this afternoon at PNC Park. The Dodgers had their division lead trim

<< Cardinals, Reds conclude series in Cincy
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Kyle Lohse returns from a five-game suspension tonight against the opponent that prompted the penalty when the St. Louis Cardinals take on the Cincinnati Reds in the finale of a three-game series at Great America

<< A's go for sweep of Angels
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Oakland Athletics won't be headed to this year's playoffs, but a September sweep of the American League West champion Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim would certainly be a good building block for next season.

<< KC tries to stay on track in finale with Seattle
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Kansas City Royals will attempt to extend an impressive streak, while the Seattle Mariners are hoping to end an unwanted one, when these teams conclude a four-game set this afternoon at Kauffman Stadium. The Royal

<< For the Birds: Orioles, Blue Jays close out series
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Baltimore Orioles may have secured a last-place finish in the competitive American League East, but the young club still has a chance to take a series from a division rival tonight. Baltimore plays the rubber match

Cubs vie for series win over fading Brew Crew >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Chicago Cubs will try to inch closer to their second straight National League Central title this afternoon, when they play the rubber match of their three-game series with the Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field.

First-place Phils shoot for sweep in Atlanta >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Cole Hamels tries to give the Philadelphia Phillies a season sweep in Atlanta this evening, when they wrap up their three-game series with the Braves at Turner Field. Philadelphia won its sixth straight contes

Mussina, Yanks try to dampen White Sox' playoff hopes >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Mike Mussina goes for win No. 18 when the New York Yankees wrap up their four-game series with the playoff-hopeful Chicago White Sox this evening at Yankee Stadium. New York finds itself in the unfamiliar role of spoil

Rays start up critical home set with struggling Twins >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A pair of potential playoff opponents begin a crucial four- game series tonight, when the Minnesota Twins visit Tropicana Field to meet the Tampa Bay Rays. The upstart Rays enter the series with a two-game lead ove

Nalbandian will open for host Argentina against Russia >>
Buenos Aires, Argentina (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Friday's opening singles rubber at the Davis Cup semifinal between Argentina and Russia will pit the hosts' David Nalbandian versus Igor Andreev. Nalbandian-Andreev will be followed on Friday by a

How did changes to college football betting rules affect bettors?

The 2007 college football rules changes that were implemented to shorten games are now history. The NCAA rules committee did what they set out to do; games were cut by an average of 14 minutes per game last season. There were also, on average, 14 fewer plays per game. We’ll get into how that did (or didn’t) affect games in regards to the pointspread a bit later.

While the NCAA rules committee may have had the betterment of the game in mind, they'll now “turn back the clock” for next season. Two key rules have now been overturned by the NCAA committee for the 2007 season, something definitely for the better.

For those of you who may not remember what those rules actually were, let us refresh your memory.

1) The first one was actually starting the clock on a kickoff as soon as the kicker touched the ball rather than waiting until the returner touched it. The problem here was near the end of the half (or game), if the team leading was kicking off, they could milk the clock by intentionally running offsides and then re-kicking. They could run 10-15 seconds off the clock each play while taking just five-yard penalties each time. They could run the clock down and simply cause the half (or game) to end on a kickoff, keeping the opposing offense off the field. In 2007, the clock will now start when the returner touches the ball as it had before last season.

2) The second rule dealt with starting the clock after a change of online football betting possession rather than waiting until the ball was snapped. This took a lot of time off the clock throughout the game as teams changed possession, however it caused the most problems late in games (or halves). Rather than huddling up and calling a play, the offensive team would have to rush onto the field as the clock started. This was a definite disadvantage to a team that was trying to come from behind late in the game. This year the clock will start on a change of possession, after the ball is snapped.

How did those rules affect the college game last year and will it make a difference this year when it comes to the pointspread? We commonly heard two theories when it came to these changes. First, it would affect scoring negatively. Second, it would hurt favorites as they would have less time and fewer plays to cover the number.

Did the rules hurt scoring? Yes. It seemed obvious that shortening the game by what amounted to 14 plays would push scoring downward. That was the case last year. Of the 119 Division 1A teams, 69 squads scored fewer points in 2007 than they did in 2005. Just 48 teams had a higher PPG scoring average and two stayed the same. Almost 59 percent of the teams in college football last year had a lower PPG average than they did in 2005. Expect more scoring in 2007 as we revert back to the old rules.

Did the rules hinder favorites from covering the number in 2007? Not really. Last year the favorites posted an overall spread record of 336-350-16 (48.9 percent). The year before, favorites were 316-326-13 (49.2 percent). In 2004, the favorites were 316-339-2 (48.2 percent). In fact, college football favorites have been above 50 percent for the season just once in the last seven years (in 2003). Last year’s numbers fell right in line with where they have been historically.

How about big favorites? The rules must have hurt them? Maybe a little bit. Double-digit favorites last year came in at a 47.8 percent clip compare with an average of just over 50 percent over the last seven years. Since 1980, favorites of -10 or more have covered at exactly a 50 percent clip (measured over 6,716 games).

Even bigger favorites must have struggled? Not really. In fact, it was just the opposite. Favorites of three TD’s or more were 59-54-2 last year (52.2 percent). Since 2000, those same favorites (-21 or higher) hit at 51.3 percent and since 1990 came in a clip of 50.3 percent. Stepping it up a notch to four TD favorites or higher, we actually see they've covered at a much better rate last season than before. Last year, favorites of -28 or more were 31-21-1, or almost 60 percent. Historically, four-TD-or-higher favorites have come in at a 50.7 percent spot since 2000 and only 48.9 percent since 1990. The “perceived” problem with the favorites covering at a reduced rate really never came to fruition.

Bottom line is, there might be some more scoring in 2007, but no real revelations when it comes to finding any pointspread golden nuggets.

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your bet on college football needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.

Sportsbooks to bet on football

Recently I had an email debate with an angry reader who said I did not understand "the science of oddsmaking", as he called it.

He said I was wrong for suggesting oddsmakers care about who wins or loses games.

"Oddsmakers only care about splitting the betting public 50/50 on both sides of the line and keeping the commission (a.k.a. juice)," he wrote.

He might have been right about not understanding "the science of oddsmaking". After all, I'm not an oddsmaker. That said, I stick to my assertion that oddsmakers (a.k.a. sportbooks) often do care about who wins games.

Granted, as a general rule, sportsbooks try to balance their action so that they're not exposed to big losses. However, there are times when this is difficult to pull off, regardless of how much a line has moved. There are also times when that general rule is ignored and a book pursues risk.

Generally speaking, it's safe to say the books in Vegas are risk-adverse. Unlike in the past when the wise guys ruled the town, Vegas is now corporate and the goal of most casinos is to make as much money as possible with as little risk as possible.

Thus, Vegas sportsbooks try everything in their power to balance the action. They're satisfied simply collecting the juice. But these profits are small, especially compared to the take from other casino games, namely slot machines.

Because the profits at Vegas sportsbooks are so small, you could argue that many casinos operate sportsbooks simply as a novelty to keep the tourists happy.

With a growing aversion to risk, it should come as no surprise that Vegas bookmakers have been panicking this NFL season.

Despite huge pointspreads, a disproportionate percentage of bettors are still laying their money on favorites like the Eagles, Colts, Pats and Vikings rather than the dogs (a common trend for the largely recreational bettors that visit Vegas).

And much to the dismay of the books, those favorites are finding ways to cover the thick chalk. In fact, prior to Week 7, the four teams listed above are a combined 16-2-2 (88 percent) against the spread. (The tables turned dramatically in Week 7, but more on that later.)

The result has been an early-season beating for the books, and a bonanza for bettors.

While Vegas increasingly hates risk, it's no longer a major player in the sports betting world. Most of the betting action now takes place offshore where sportsbooks are not as obsessed about balance. In fact, some books encourage exposure to risk because the rewards can be so much bigger.

Consider MySportsbook.com. On its website, the book has odds pages which actually display the amount of action it's getting on games. In other words, you can see how much action the book is taking on both sides of a pointspread, moneyline or over/under.

One look at these numbers and it's obvious MySportsbook.com does not balance every game. In fact, far from it.

Take last weekend's matchup between St. Louis and Miami. By game time on Sunday, 83 percent of the betting action at MySportsbook.com was on the Rams; only 17 percent was on Miami.

What's interesting is that MySportsbook.com opened the pointspread with Miami at +6 1/2. By game time, the spread had lowered to +5.

That goes contrary to the balancing theory. If MySportsbook.com had wanted to balance the action, it would have given Miami more points; instead, it took away 1 1/2. World Series odds are now up as well.

MySportsbook.com exposed itself to even more to risk, and rolled the dice on the underdog Dolphins. Why? I contacted a representative with the book to find out. His answer was simple.

"The line moved early based on 'smart money' from sharp players," said Jeff Gilroy, a spokesperson for the book. "We also knew from early in the week that we would need Miami, therefore (we dropped) the spread to encourage Rams money.

"At the end of the day, we liked the home team."

So the conclusion is this: MySportsbook.com respected the sharp action, and gambled that the sharp bettors had a better take on the game than the recreational bettors, who were hammering the visiting Rams.

In the end, the gamble paid off. Miami, desperate for a win in front of its home fans, pounded the overrated Rams, who are terrible on the road and even worse on grass. Final score: 31-14 Fish.

MySportsbook.com was also heavily exposed on numerous favorites in Week 7, including Philadelphia, Seattle and Denver. All three failed to cover.

The fact that sportsbooks are exposed to risk on certain games is really nothing new. The fact, that Sportsbook.com is willing to show the public where it's exposed is intriguing.

Armed with this type of information, bettors can make more educated wagers. They can get an idea where the sharp money is going and conversely where the public money is headed.

MySportsbook.com is opening up its cashbox, letting bettors look inside and challenging them to take their best shot at grabbing the cash.

To visit this online football betting got to MySportsbook.com for all your football betting odds needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.