Training Camp: Bodog Live Sports Betting
Live sports betting is the way it should be. Online technology has advanced to the point where we can do all our banking and investing over the internet in real time. That technology is also available to handicappers; with Bodog Live, not only can you bet on the outcome of the game, you can bet on the outcome of every play. It’s an intense interactive experience for anyone watching the game live on television – or even in person.
The pace of the NFL is perfect for this style of betting. The game is broken down into discrete plays, with time in between for the two teams to make their tactical decisions. Will the offense run or pass? You can bet on that. You can also bet on the result of the play, such as: Will they score a touchdown? These are two different types of bets, and they require two different strategies.
The tactical bets require a handicapper to be more familiar with the coaches and their philosophies. At the very least, you should know whether a team’s offense is geared more to the run or the pass. The Baltimore Ravens are the most extreme run team with 36 attempts per game to 28.8 pass attempts. The Denver Broncos are the most pass-happy at 38.2 throws per game to 25.5 carries.
The result of the play doesn’t matter in this category of live bets – except for the way coaches adjust to how well the two teams are performing. The Ravens were forced to go to the air more often last week as they fell behind to the Indianapolis Colts; even though the Colts’ run defense is one of the worst in the league, it was getting the job done on Sunday. Baltimore ended the day with 51 yards on 19 carries.
It’s important to think like a coach in these situations in order to anticipate what calls they’ll make. But not just any coach; you need to think like the specific coach (or coordinator) in question and do your best not to second-guess his strategy – remember, results don’t matter. 
If the coach of your favorite team drives you crazy because he always punts on 4th-and-short with the ball just out of field-goal range, bet appropriately.
Betting live on the outcome of a play takes you out of “coach” mode and into a more familiar handicapping position. Now you need to be more aware of the quality of the teams in question. The Ravens might run more than anyone else, but they’re only picking up 3.7 yards per carry. That’s tied for 20th out of the 32 NFL teams.
However, that stat is also misleading. Baltimore is last in the league in rushes of 10 yards or more, but third in “power success” (third-down and fourth-down conversions of two yards or shorter). These are situations when 260-pound fullback Le’Ron McClain usually gets the ball; he’s among the top five on the RB efficiency charts.
Baltimore’s chances of getting a first down should be greater than, say, Seattle’s, even though the Seahawks are good for 4.7 yards per carry to Baltimore’s 3.7. It’s because of the Ravens’ superior offensive line and the lack of production from the power tailbacks supporting Julius Jones. Again, bet appropriately according to the situation.
If you break a team down into its component parts like this and study its strengths and weaknesses, you can make sharper betting choices on each and every play. It’ll also develop your appreciation for the sport at a much deeper level than Joe Six-Pack. And you get to take his money while you do it.
