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Don Best’s betting expert Joe D’Amico analyses the futures betting available and advises the best wagers to place to target a profit.
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The popularity of betting "futures" has skyrocketed over recent years. When I first moved to Las Vegas in the late ‘80s, the only people that bet futures were really fans of a certain team. You would see an Ohio State alumni come out to the Strip, go to a sportsbook, and bet $50 on the Buckeyes to win it all.
You might see a mom who has a kid that attends school in Gainesville bet $20 on the Florida Gators to win the conference. You really didn't see what we call "sharps or wise guys" betting these futures in Vegas. With the explosion of both technology and the rise of interest in sports betting, these have become extremely popular. We have also seen many of those "sharps and wise guys" lay some serious money down on futures.
Personally, as a guy who does this for a living and bets big daily, I would prefer to keep my money where it belongs, in my pocket. For me to lock up my money for several months, the investment must bring me value.
My point of view is that I can bet more on a game or two throughout the season and have the odds get better in my favor. I obviously have a better shot at winning an individual game than I do trying to figure out which one team is going to win the crown above the other 15-20 that have a shot at it.
Below are the current consensus odds to win the 2020 College Football Playoff Championship:
Team | American | Fractional |
Clemson | +120 | 6/5 |
Alabama | +275 | 11/4 |
Ohio State | +350 | 7/2 |
Georgia | +1200 | 12/1 |
Florida | +2500 | 25/1 |
Michigan | +3300 | 33/1 |
Notre Dame | +4000 | 40/1 |
Texas A&M | +5000 | 50/1 |
Wisconsin | +5000 | 50/1 |
Oklahoma State | +8000 | 80/1 |
Indiana | +8000 | 80/1 |
Kansas State | +10000 | 100/1 |
Oklahoma | +10000 | 100/1 |
Oregon | +10000 | 100/1 |
Penn State | +10000 | 100/1 |
USC | +10000 | 100/1 |
Washington | +12500 | 125/1 |
Iowa State | +15000 | 150/1 |
Memphis | +15000 | 150/1 |
N.C. State | +15000 | 150/1 |
BYU | +20000 | 200/1 |
Miami (FL) | +20000 | 200/1 |
North Carolina | +20000 | 200/1 |
Northwestern | +20000 | 200/1 |
Purdue | +20000 | 200/1 |
Texas | +20000 | 200/1 |
Utah | +20000 | 200/1 |
Arizona State | +25000 | 250/1 |
California | +25000 | 250/1 |
Cincinnati | +25000 | 250/1 |
LSU | +25000 | 250/1 |
Minnesota | +25000 | 250/1 |
Missouri | +25000 | 250/1 |
Stanford | +25000 | 250/1 |
Washington State | +25000 | 250/1 |
SMU | +30000 | 300/1 |
Temple | +30000 | 300/1 |
Marshall | +35000 | 350/1 |
Arizona | +50000 | 500/1 |
Arkansas | +50000 | 500/1 |
Army | +50000 | 500/1 |
Auburn | +50000 | 500/1 |
Florida Atlantic | +50000 | 500/1 |
Iowa | +50000 | 500/1 |
Kentucky | +50000 | 500/1 |
UCF | +50000 | 500/1 |
UCLA | +50000 | 500/1 |
Wake Forest | +50000 | 500/1 |
Colorado | +75000 | 750/1 |
Houston | +75000 | 750/1 |
Nebraska | +75000 | 750/1 |
Oregon State | +75000 | 750/1 |
South Carolina | +75000 | 750/1 |
Tennessee | +75000 | 750/1 |
Virginia Tech | +75000 | 750/1 |
Appalachian State | +100000 | 1000/1 |
Arkansas State | +100000 | 1000/1 |
Baylor | +100000 | 1000/1 |
Boston College | +100000 | 1000/1 |
Charlotte | +100000 | 1000/1 |
Coastal Carolina | +100000 | 1000/1 |
East Carolina | +100000 | 1000/1 |
Georgia Southern | +100000 | 1000/1 |
Georgia State | +100000 | 1000/1 |
Louisiana Tech | +100000 | 1000/1 |
Louisiana-Lafayette | +100000 | 1000/1 |
Louisiana-Monroe | +100000 | 1000/1 |
Louisville | +100000 | 1000/1 |
Maryland | +100000 | 1000/1 |
Michigan State | +100000 | 1000/1 |
Mississippi State | +100000 | 1000/1 |
North Texas | +100000 | 1000/1 |
Pittsburgh | +100000 | 1000/1 |
South Alabama | +100000 | 1000/1 |
TCU | +100000 | 1000/1 |
Texas Tech | +100000 | 1000/1 |
Virginia | +100000 | 1000/1 |
West Virginia | +100000 | 1000/1 |
At this point, I would be surprised if any team other than the first few favorites would win it all, but you never know. However, looking at the current odds, the top few teams offer little value to me.
I don't see value before Georgia at 12/1 and a few other teams that are further down the list. Let me put it this way. Most bettors are not $10,000 whales. For the most part, people that bet sports range between $50 up to $1000 a bet. A long term investment must bring a significant return, folks.
If you look at the odds listed here, locking your money up until January is a long-term investment and must bring you a serious return. So make sure you either really feel strongly about a team or you find a team or two that offers you a true payday. If it doesn't, remember that you can always pick a few spots during the season to fire with no waiting, no stress, better odds, and a quick return.
Joe D’Amico is a third-generation race and sports personality. He boasts decades of experience beating the sportsbook and is a well known face in Las Vegas. He calls upon his impressive connections to maximise profits and minimise expenditure and can help you do the same. Take advantage of Joe’s picks and subscriptions at DonBest.com.