Sports Betting Thread

[StillAWarrior]

OK, so I went ahead and did it...Draftkings. Upon making my first $5 bet (MU -2, natch), I received $200 in "bonus bets." It's 8x$25.

So, if I'm understanding this correctly, I just make those bets and it's no cost. If I win, they put the money into my account? If I lose...oh well.

Have I got that right? Or am I missing something? Like I have to bet all my initial deposit before I can withdraw (or use) the winnings from my "bonus bets"?


OK, so I found these terms on Draftkings. I'm specifically looking at the following bullet points:

• Bonus Bet stake isn’t included in any potential winnings. -- Any winnings from a wager placed with a Bonus Bet will be added to your cash balance.
• Bonus Bets can’t be withdrawn from the site and require a one-time play through.

I interpret this to mean that winnings are paid out and can be cashed out; the initial bonus bet must be played and not cashed out. The winnings don't need a one-time play through, right?

[StillAWarrior]

OK, so I went ahead and did it...Draftkings. Upon making my first $5 bet (MU -2, natch), I received $200 in "bonus bets." It's 8x$25.

This is easy…I may quit my day job. I also used one of my $25 bonus bets on MU -6 at +165.

I’m rich, biatches!

[StillAWarrior]

Here's another "am i missing something" moment. DK just sent me a promo for the Cavs game tonight. They're changing the odds for Cavs make one 3-pointer from -2000 to +100. That certainly seems like a no-brainer. I suppose they're just trying to get new bettors in the habit of using the app and making bets. But, am I missing something?

[MU11W]

Nope, not missing anything. Bet the max allowable amount on that one. 

You're thoughts are pretty spot-on - want people to get used to using the app, betting props and not your standard bets, etc.

[DegenerateDish]

Here's another "am i missing something" moment. DK just sent me a promo for the Cavs game tonight. They're changing the odds for Cavs make one 3-pointer from -2000 to +100. That certainly seems like a no-brainer. I suppose they're just trying to get new bettors in the habit of using the app and making bets. But, am I missing something?

Not missing anything, take it and run with it, free money.

I will say that eventually these DK boosts become sucker bets. This past weekend they had Rodgers + Cousins to combine to throw over 475 yards (or something like that) “boosted” to +100, and I wasn’t going to take that at all (it didn’t come close to hitting). 

[StillAWarrior]

Not missing anything, take it and run with it, free money.

I will say that eventually these DK boosts become sucker bets. This past weekend they had Rodgers + Cousins to combine to throw over 475 yards (or something like that) “boosted” to +100, and I wasn’t going to take that at all (it didn’t come close to hitting).

I figured that would be the case. I generally assume that bets/promotions pushed by casinos are not good bets. I'll consider them individually. My son -- who also lives in Ohio and is getting promotions on games on the apps he's using -- got one for MNF that at least one of the teams would score a point (i.e., the only loser would be a 0-0 tie). I see that DK also has a promotion tonight for a "risk free" NBA bet -- limited to $10 and you get a "bonus bet" if you lose. Not as much of a no brainer as the other (because you can still lose the $10 if you lose two bets in a row) but still a reasonably good deal. If they would just credit a real $10 back to the account it would be be another free money bet.

Any general tips (as opposed to specific bets) for using my seven remaining $25 bonus bets would be welcome. I used the first one for a longer odds bet than I typically would have made (MU -6 at +165) and I'll probably continue with that strategy. They expire in seven days, so I basically need to make one bet a day. Just for fun, I'm thinking of a parlay on the Cavs tonight (spread and over at +300).

Thanks to everyone for your comments. It's kind of a whole new thing for me, obviously.

[DegenerateDish]

I figured that would be the case. I generally assume that bets/promotions pushed by casinos are not good bets. I'll consider them individually. My son -- who also lives in Ohio and is getting promotions on games on the apps he's using -- got one for MNF that at least one of the teams would score a point (i.e., the only loser would be a 0-0 tie). I see that DK also has a promotion tonight for a "risk free" NBA bet -- limited to $10 and you get a "bonus bet" if you lose. Not as much of a no brainer as the other (because you can still lose the $10 if you lose two bets in a row) but still a reasonably good deal. If they would just credit a real $10 back to the account it would be be another free money bet.

Any general tips (as opposed to specific bets) for using my seven remaining $25 bonus bets would be welcome. I used the first one for a longer odds bet than I typically would have made (MU -6 at +165) and I'll probably continue with that strategy. They expire in seven days, so I basically need to make one bet a day. Just for fun, I'm thinking of a parlay on the Cavs tonight (spread and over at +300).

Thanks to everyone for your comments. It's kind of a whole new thing for me, obviously.

I give you credit, this is a thought out process by you, it doesn’t seem like you’re just diving into the deep end and tossing bets out left and right (which obviously the sportsbooks want you to do).

One piece of advice I’d give is take advantage of referral bonuses, as that is typically free money as well, especially now in Ohio.

For the free bets, I’d say find something you think is fun to cheer for, or go contrarian, and bet against the Cavs (or whatever teams you cheer for) and then when your favorite team(s) lose, you win. The only thing I’d say is don’t do some 4 team, heavy favorites, moneyline parlay with the free bets. I personally like placing futures bets with any free bets I get, mainly because I can hedge down the line with minimal risk.

[StillAWarrior]

For the free bets, I’d say find something you think is fun to cheer for, or go contrarian, and bet against the Cavs (or whatever teams you cheer for) and then when your favorite team(s) lose, you win. The only thing I’d say is don’t do some 4 team, heavy favorites, moneyline parlay with the free bets. I personally like placing futures bets with any free bets I get, mainly because I can hedge down the line with minimal risk.

That was another thing I was wondering about. It says the free bets are only valid for one week. I assume that means that you must place the bet within the week, and not that the event you bet on must be completed within the week. In other words, I assume that I can put $25 free dollars on MU to to win the championship (+8000) as long as the bet is made within the seven day window. But it's not 100% clear to me.

[DegenerateDish]

That was another thing I was wondering about. It says the free bets are only valid for one week. I assume that means that you must place the bet within the week, and not that the event you bet on must be completed within the week. In other words, I assume that I can put $25 free dollars on MU to to win the championship (+8000) as long as the bet is made within the seven day window. But it's not 100% clear to me.

Yes, you’re correct, you just have to place the bet within a week of receiving it. As an example, I had a free bet from last summer from DK, and I parlayed Mariners to make the playoffs, Bears to finish last in the North, and Bucks to win the NBA title. I’m now sitting in a decent spot to hedge against the Bucks.

You could place all your free bets today if you wanted to as well. Don’t have to do one a day (at least not in Illinois you wouldn’t).

[StillAWarrior]

Yes, you’re correct, you just have to place the bet within a week of receiving it. As an example, I had a free bet from last summer from DK, and I parlayed Mariners to make the playoffs, Bears to finish last in the North, and Bucks to win the NBA title. I’m now sitting in a decent spot to hedge against the Bucks.

You could place all your free bets today if you wanted to as well. Don’t have to do one a day (at least not in Illinois you wouldn’t).

Thanks, Dish. I understand that I don't have to place one bet each day. I went into this knowing that I'm not going to be a big sports bettor. I thought it might be fun to bet a few dollars here and a few dollars there. I figured that there was no better time than the present to open an account since they were offering incentives. I didn't realize that all the free bets would need to be made within a week (or that it was 8x$25). When I learned that, I just figured, "We'll, I've got to make eight bets over the next week"...but I realize that they don't have to be spread out. Truth be told, my goal for the free bets is to recoup my initial deposit (only $75) and then have some money in the account to make a bet every now and then. If that goes well, I may I open a FanDuel account and try to do the same there -- they are also offering $200 if you make an initial $5 bet.

[Hards Alumni]

Ask Pete Rose.   Seriously, the optics of him placing the first bet......   oy.

Who cares.  He knows he isn't getting into the HOF, so why not.

[Hards Alumni]

Here's another "am i missing something" moment. DK just sent me a promo for the Cavs game tonight. They're changing the odds for Cavs make one 3-pointer from -2000 to +100. That certainly seems like a no-brainer. I suppose they're just trying to get new bettors in the habit of using the app and making bets. But, am I missing something?

Yo dawg, the first hit of H is on the house, just remember where you got it when you need your next.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

Yo dawg, the first hit of H is on the house, just remember where you got it when you need your next.

^^^^trust this guy when it comes to heroin, he knows his $hit.

[Hards Alumni]

^^^^trust this guy when it comes to heroin, he knows his $hit.

Bitch, you know I know everything.

[StillAWarrior]

Not missing anything, take it and run with it, free money.

Tonight it was Ohio State to score 1 or more at +100. I like these. I can't imagine they'll keep it up for long.

[DegenerateDish]

Tonight it was Ohio State to score 1 or more at +100. I like these. I can't imagine they'll keep it up for long.

Man, it seems like a lot of upfront promos. Here in Illinois, the state casino/gaming board is/was slow to allow sportsbooks to operate here, so we had good promos for a bit, but it seems like Ohio probably has more book competition (hence more promos early on).

I think DK (here at least) had Doncic/Tatum/Jokic to combine for 90 points boosted to +150 (I may have the odds wrong). I didn’t dare touch that sucker bet. Jokic could very well score 38 tonight, but he’ll need that for this “boost” to hit, no thanks.

[DegenerateDish]

Iowa live moneyline +300 on FD.

[panda]

Iowa live moneyline +300 on FD.

You’re better off flushing that money down the toilet

[DegenerateDish]

You’re better off flushing that money down the toilet

You’re welcome.

[panda]

You’re welcome.

Lol 🙏🙏

[panda]

You’re welcome.

Nice hit btw

[StillAWarrior]

Iowa live moneyline +300 on FD.

Actually, this game was a funny lesson for me. Those $25 free bets are just burning a hole in my digital pocket. I was really busy last night, but wanted to place a bet. I saw the pre-game line and thought to myself, "Indiana is pretty good this year and Iowa isn't that good. Iowa's giving points? I think I'll bet on Indiana." I was even thinking of getting better odds by taking IU -2.5. Then I thought to myself, "I have absolutely no idea what either of these teams are up to lately...I'm not going to bet on that game." Several hours later I checked the score expecting to be kicking myself for not making the bet. You know the rest.

[DegenerateDish]

Actually, this game was a funny lesson for me. Those $25 free bets are just burning a hole in my digital pocket. I was really busy last night, but wanted to place a bet. I saw the pre-game line and thought to myself, "Indiana is pretty good this year and Iowa isn't that good. Iowa's giving points? I think I'll bet on Indiana." I was even thinking of getting better odds by taking IU -2.5. Then I thought to myself, "I have absolutely no idea what either of these teams are up to lately...I'm not going to bet on that game." Several hours later I checked the score expecting to be kicking myself for not making the bet. You know the rest.

I do much better with live betting than anything else.

Not trying to openly pat myself on the back, but I was watching IU/Iowa, and the combo of Thompson getting injured and not coming back, IU’s ridiculous first 15 minutes shooting percentage, and TJD was clearly holding his lower back, and the +300 was a no brainer for me.

Pre-game I would have leaned Iowa and the points, but it wasn’t on my radar as a play. Live though, down 10 at the half, and getting +300 with the things I mentioned above, I sprinted to the FD app.

[reinko]

Who has some winners today?

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

Apparently sports betting became legal in Ohio on January 1.  You can bet in some bars.  A bartender told it was not a smooth launch