Clarification [QUOTE=rickj;19125]Nothing yesterday and today nothing new except 2 games I posted last night for tomorrow.
634 Dayton -7
643 Nevada +8
As always I will update my blog and twitter if anything new develops.
An email:
"Hello Rick !
I`am writing to You from central Europe. Recently, I have looked over your picks and I would like to ask you two things. The first one is connected with the number on the left side of the name of the bet, for example: "594 Towson -2.5". I assume that it is the number of the bet. If yes, on what site you make bets if I can ask ? The second thing and the most important is the handicap, for example: "594 Towson -2.5" In this example you thought that Towson was going to win by more than 2,5 points or you thought that towson was going to lose by more than 2,5 points. In my country, terminology of handicap means that Towson is sort of losing before the game by -2,5 and despite this, the team is going to win, so betting this match we think that team will win by three points or more. In US might be different situation so I decided to ask You before using your picks."
"My response:
The number on the left is the Nevada rotation number. It makes it easier to locate since most books put out there numbers in that order.
The line is different in the u.s then Europe. While you use a decimal system for displaying odds the most common in the U.S is a line for the game that theoretically is supposed to be a 50-50 bet and you lay juice on both sides.
There are many converters on the web that will convert the line to Decimal if it makes it easier for you to evaluate the game."
Good Luck today
RickJ
rickjshandicappingpicks.blogspot.com
Twitter: rickjsportplays[/QUOTE]
Rick,
While what you told the gentleman from Europe is true, I think his basic question was, "Are you betting on Towson -2 1/2 because you think they'll win by 3 or more"? Of course, the answer is yes you think Towson will win by at least 3 and therefore cover the spread of 2 1/2. However, I'm not sure your answer drove that point home to him. Just a thought...