SEARCH NEWS:

 

Columnist Jeff Haney: Monday Night Win Saves Bettors' Bankrolls

The betting public scored a Monday Night Football victory when the Colts, favored by a touchdown, easily covered against the Bills and the total soared over the number of 48.

But it wasn't enough to salvage the weekend, as Las Vegas sports books reported a solid win on the pro football card.

"We could have used the Bills and the under in the Monday night game," said Jay Kornegay, sports book director at the Imperial Palace. "But overall it was a really decent Sunday for the house."

Books were helped when double-digit favorites such as Philadelphia and Denver failed to cover the spread.

Kornegay said the Cowboys' upsetting the Redskins was a key decision in favor of the house, as was the Saints' victory over San Francisco, a small favorite.

"Despite us losing in football Monday, between the pro and college basketball and hockey, we came out pretty well on the day," Kornegay said.

A crucial game for the Las Vegas Club, meanwhile, was the Chiefs' 15-14 win over the Panthers. Kansas City was favored by about a field goal.

"That was a big one for us," said Jonathan Jester, sports book director at the downtown hotel-casino. "They were betting the Panthers on the money line and the Chiefs on the side, so we ended up winning both ways."

Jester said the Buccaneers coming away with an outright win as a small underdog against the Dolphins was another decision in the house's favor.

"Things went pretty well for us this weekend," Jester said. "We got a couple of big decisions, but we had some bad breaks too."

For example, when the Bears missed a 47-yard field goal attempt in their 24-17 win over the Patriots, it allowed a lot of teaser bettors to cash tickets at the Las Vegas Club.

With the miss, anyone who "teased up" New England, a small 'dog, came away with a cover.

"That kick ended up being about a $7,500 swing for us," Jester said.

Gamblers at the Las Vegas Club can take advantage of the book's special 7 1/2-point teasers, as well as its 10- and 14-point teasers -- unusual offerings not available at many establishments.

"A lot of times I find myself watching the games and following them on about three or four different levels," Jester said.

FOOTBALL PICKS: One popular NFL pick among bettors that did cash Sunday was Baltimore, which eased past San Diego 24-3.

Pro football handicapper Tobin Hensgen is coming back with the Ravens this Sunday as one of his five selections in the Las Vegas Hilton "SuperContest."

Hensgen expects the Ravens to cover a two-touchdown spread against Arizona. Hensgen will also go with the 49ers, 6-point favorites over the Bears.

He was 2-3 this past week in the contest, and is 43-31-1 (58 percent) on the season.

Historically, a 60 percent record has finished "in the money" in the contest, which pays the top 20 and this year features a top prize of approximately $115,000.

"This year is unusual as some teams that have secured (playoff) spots are still in divisional races while the schedule dictates other contenders won't know their fate until Week 16," said Hensgen (www.thegame-nfl.com). "Don't expect the traditional final-week fade of teams expected (to be) in the playoffs."

TEXAS-SIZED DEAL: All-Star shortstop Alex Rodriguez agreed to terms Monday with the Rangers on his record $252 million contract.

But baseball bettors hoping to get down on the Rangers at an inflated price struck out at the Imperial Palace sports book. The IP had adjusted the Rangers' odds several days before A-Rod's signing -- in anticipation he would choose Texas.

The Rangers' odds shrunk to 7-1 to win the AL pennant and 15-1 to win the World Series in the IP's futures book. Previously they were as high as 20-1 to win the pennant and 40-1 to win the Series.

Kornegay gave credit to his staff for staying up to the second with the news, then making the right call.

"You've got to follow all the different news sources these days," Kornegay said. "Especially with the Internet, there's so much information out there and it's important for us to keep up with it, because you know the bettors are.

"We felt (Rodriguez) had narrowed it to two or three teams, and we felt all indications were he was going to go with Texas. If there were any bargain hunters out there, we were ahead of them on this one."

CONTEST UPDATES: In the Stardust invitational, Stanford Wong went 3-4, good enough to advance past radio personality and defending champ Papa Joe Chevalier (2-5) to the finals of the $10,000 event.

Wong, an expert on blackjack and other facets of gambling who turned his attention to sports betting this year, will face either Dave Cokin or Ken White in the finals. Those local handicappers meet at 9 p.m. Friday at the Stardust race and sports book.

< Gaming News