NHL

[Midwest Spy]

I don't understand risking $125 for $100.

Football and basketball games are handicapped by a point spread.

For instance in tonight's CLE-GS game the spread is probably somewhere in the neighborhood of Golden State (-7).

If you think GS wins this game by more than 7, you'd place your water and win exactly that much in return. Bet $100 and win $100.

However, there's 'vigorish' or the 'juice' a 10% fee you pay when you lose.

In Vegas, to bet $100 on GS tonight, you'd walk up to the window at the Sports Book with $110 and purchase your ticket.

If you win, you'd get your $110 back plus the $100 you win.

Baseball and hockey are different because the scoring is typically lower than football and hoops, so they figured out another way to handicap them.

Yesterday's hockey game had this line:

San Jose -140, Pittsburgh +120.

You'd bet $140 on San Jose to win just $100.
You'd bet $100 on Pitt to win $120.

San Jose was a pretty prohibitive favorite, so the payoff isn't as good.

Meanwhile the Pens were an attractive 'dog'.

The 'juice' in baseball and hockey is already built I to the lines so you don't pay the additional 10% when you bet these sports.

For Vegas they want lines that are going to attract an equal amount of wagering for both teams in a given contest.

Hope that helps.