Heroes and Zeros - Week 13

[yetisnowman]

Also, Packers are +125 on the Moneyline.

Whoa careful, these guys heads are going to explode. Slow down.

[Zool]

You literally asked what Green Bay +2.5 meant within this thread...so yeah I'm not trying to be a dick I just thought it was part of sports consciousness everywhere.

Normally plus means positive and minus means negative. In this case it's the opposite, sorta. If they wrote it out as Seattle is favored by 2.5 then the confusion would be less....I think

[Patler]

Not caring about and not being aware of what they are and what they mean are different things. Betting lines/odds have been listed in every newspaper sports section for like a hundred years. Tons of sportstalk guys spend segments going over picks against the spread. It's a billion dollar industry, and a huge part of the American sports lexicon.

Yes, and I am sure many who don't care about betting lines do actually understand them. I also suspect that many who don't care never bother to look at them in the sports pages (why would/should they?), zone out when sports talks shows delve into it, and have the same questions that Harlan had.

For example, that long-in-the-tooth poster known as "Patler" understands point spreads, but does not understand or care about all the different ways betting lines and odds are written. I understand from inside information that he never looks at them in the newspaper, and when sports talk shows have guests that will be discussing it, he turns to something else.

[Patler]

I can even do long division.

A vanishing skill, to be sure.

[yetisnowman]

Yes, and I am sure many who don't care about betting lines do actually understand them. I also suspect that many who don't care never bother to look at them in the sports pages (why would/should they?), zone out when sports talks shows delve into it, and have the same questions that Harlan had.

For example, that long-in-the-tooth poster known as "Patler" understands point spreads, but does not understand or care about all the different ways betting lines and odds are written. I understand from inside information that he never looks at them in the newspaper, and when sports talk shows have guests that will be discussing it, he turns to something else.

The only question that blew my mind was not knowing what +2.5 meant. I get not caring about it, and being fuzzy on specifics. like I dont give a shit about hockey, but I know there are 3 periods in a game.

[Patler]

The only question that blew my mind was not knowing what +2.5 meant. I get not caring about it, and being fuzzy on specifics. like I dont give a shit about hockey, but I know there are 3 periods in a game.

As mentioned above, believe it or not, the use of +2.5 or -2.5 can be confusing to someone who never thinks about it, even if you know what a "2 1/2 point underdog" is, or understand the concept of "being favored by 2.5 points." Then there is the whole concept of fractional points. I've never yet seen a football team score a half point.

[Harlan Huckleby]

To prolong the stupidity....

You often hear the phrase "the Packers are giving 3 points." When that is written as "Packers + 3" it sure don't look like giving, it looks like taking to me, Mister.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Also, Packers are +125 on the Moneyline.

My head just exploded. What the fuck does this mean? Never mind, it's probably really hard.

[esoxx]

My head just exploded. What the fuck does this mean? Never mind, it's probably really hard.

A moneyline is just straight betting on a team to win without any points involved. Since the Packers are the underdog in the game, you would get better payout if they won (+125) straight up. Meaning, if you bet $100 and they won, your return would be $125.

If you bet $100 taking the 2.5 points and won, your return would be $90. The 2.5 points carries a -110 juice factor.

So, if you're confident the Packers are going to win the game outright, much better idea to play the moneyline.

easy peasy fo' sheasy