Welcome!
Welcome to Bookie101.com where our specialty is providing free advice to pay per head bookies and agents. With a lifetime of bookmaking and gambling experience to draw from I have been helping bookmaking professionals achieve a level of success they never thought possible. Read More
HEROES GOLFING IN THE BAHAMAS
Some of the best professional golfers in the world are headed out to the Bahamas Islands this weekend to join a rejuvenated Tiger Woods for his Hero World Challenge Tournament which sets up as a sort of prelude to the upcoming President’s Cup action which will be taking place at the Royal Melbourne Golf Club down under in Australia beginning on December the 12th.
After enduring a period of being not quite up to par earlier in the year, Tiger Woods has come back looking fit and as competitive as ever by winning the recent Zozo Championship in Chiba, Japan. It was his 82nd career win! Woods is listed as one of the odds on favorites to win the Hero World Classic this weekend as well.
Woods actually is one of the principal sponsors of the annual Hero World Challenge event which is held at the Albany Golf Club in the Bahamas Islands. Although the $3,500,000 purse is not quite on par with some of the other major tournaments, the money is still attractive, plus, everybody gets to go to the beach!
So, the event has attracted a stellar field of some of the best golfers on the planet to the Bahamas to play alongside Tiger Woods and feel good about it because the tournament is a benefit for the Tiger Woods Foundation which was created in 1996 to support community based programs that improve health, education and welfare for all children in America.
Although there are only 18 golfers participating this year, they are the cream of the crop. This becomes obvious when you look at the odds board and find Chez Reavie, who won the Travelers Championship back in June, at the very bottom at 66 to 1!
The World Challenge format has been around since the turn of the century under different sponsors and played at various locations before moving to the Bahamas in 2015 with the Albany Golf Club as its permanent home.
Ironically, with all the golfing heroes participating in the event, the word Hero in the title actually refers to the event’s sponsor since 2014, the Hero MotoCorp, which makes motorcycles and scooters in India.
As a concession to next week’s President’s Cup play down in Australia, this Hero World Challenge will be played from Wednesday to Saturday to allow the golfers an additional day for travel in order to get ready for the competition which will pit the top golfers from the United States against a team made up of some of the best golfers from outside the USA and coached by Ernie Ells. Team USA was selected and will be coached by none other than Tiger Woods himself.
Spanish ace Jon Rahm, who won the event in 2018, is the hottest golfer in the world right now and oddsmakers agree making him the tournament favorite at 7 to 2, and right behind him is Justin Thomas at 7 to 1 who has two outright wins and two other top ten performances in the last five tournaments.
Tiger Woods is listed at 8 to 1. Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele at 17 to 2 are two young golfers that everyone is watching in wonder with the anticipation that they will soon be major players on the PGA circuit.
Webb Simpson starts the tourney at 10 to 1 with Rickie Fowler at 12 to 1 and Justin Rose at 14 to 1. Patrick Reed, Gary Woodland, Bryson DeChambeau, Tony Finau, Matt Kuchar, Henrick Stenson, Kevin Kisner and Bubba Watson round out the all star field for this year’s Hero World Challenge.
And if you are looking for a sleeper bet for this tournament, 2014 winner Jordan Spieth could be a good one going in at 28 to 1.
The ultimate winners of the Hero World Challenge will be the kids that the Tiger Woods Foundation helps using the proceeds from the event.
MODERN WAGERING SOFTWARE
Today’s modern wagering software has now evolved to the point of excellence in convenience and dependability for both player and bookie so that down time and computer errors are practically a thing of the past.
The first wagering software came about during the late 1990’s with the advent of the offshore wagering industry, which started out simply enough down in the Caribbean about 1994, and saw such rapid growth and market expansion that software developers were in a panic to provide a working and useable product for this new budding industry.
Since that time some of the best and brightest minds in the software industry have been working on and developing software specifically aimed at the offshore wagering industry, including both post up sports books and the price per head companies like Host PPH who work exclusively with professional bookmakers.
In the old days bookies were vulnerable because it was necessary for them to always be in possession of their accounts in what became rather famously known as ‘the little black book’, but that little black book landed some otherwise honest guys in the pokey just for having it in their possession. It was later used as evidence that he was involved in taking bets on sporting events and such, which was not so good.
The wagering software in use by today’s top companies such as Host PH have eliminated the need for the modern bookie to carry around anything other than his phone or other mobile device on which he can find real time reporting on the status of each and every one of his clients at any time of the day or night. Bookmakers also now have the ability to manipulate limits and action on certain clients as they wish or even move the lines that their clients see should they see fit.
A quality company such as Host PHH will provide their bookmaker clients with software that is up to date in all respects so that they are able to stay on top of their business 24/7/365. As a matter of fact they now provide 19 different reports covering all aspects of your bookie business. Most folks will never use all 19 reports every day but instead pick out the ones that they want to check out every day and then others that they will inspect on a weekly basis.
Now a bookie can check on his player’s history or open bets with just the click of a button and also have a ‘bet ticker’ option going that will show the day’s action coming in real time so that the bookmaker can keep his finger on the pulse of the action. There is even a ‘big bet alert’ that sounds an alarm whenever any wager which exceeds a preset figure.
For the player, modern wagering software has simplified placing a bet on a game to the point where it can now be done in a matter of seconds from almost any location where there is Internet or WiFi available. As a second option, first class PPH companies like Host PPH have call centers staffed by experienced English speaking agents available to take wagers 24/7 for your client’s convenience.
Modern online betting platforms make getting to the wagering page easy and more user friendly than ever before. Bettors can now get in and place their wagers with a minimum of time and effort from anywhere they happen to be.
Throughout the 20 years of operation, Host PPH has always strived to provide the best possible experience for their bookmaker agents by providing them with all the tools they need to run a successful local bookie business, make money and stay out of trouble.
This high level of excellent service has been maintained through constant research and improvement of the wagering and reporting software which is at the heart of any online wagering business. The friendly folks at Host PPH have also learned much on how to improve their service by listening to professional bookmakers like you and tailoring their services to meet those needs and demands.
Give the guys at Host PPH a call today at 1 866 601 4678 and see what a huge difference a truly dedicated PPH service can make in your business, and in your life.
THE 49ers ARE THE UNDERDOGS THIS SUNDAY
The winningest team in the NFC so far this season has been the San Francisco 49ers. They are 10 and 1 on the year having only lost to the Seahawks in a thriller of a game by the close score of 27-24 on a game winning 42 yard field goal in overtime by Jason Myers of Seattle.
That impressive 10-1 record is only matched by Tom Brady and his New England Patriots under head coach Bill Belichick over in the AFC. So, why are the 49ers listed as 6 point underdogs going into Sunday’s big showdown with the Baltimore Ravens?
Good question for those who have not had the opportunity to watch young Lamar Jackson at quarterback for the Ravens; those who have seen this year’s version of the Ravens in action already understand why. They are a force to be reckoned with in any NFL stadium, anywhere.
But San Francisco is coming off of a 37-8 Sunday Night Football beat down of Aaron Rodgers and his Green Bay Packers, who went into the game at 8-3 as 3 point underdogs to the ‘Niners at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.
The 49ers looked very strong on Sunday, too much so to be listed at 6 point dogs the very next Sunday. But the NFL MVP forerunner Lamar Jackson and his 9-2 Raven squad have won 7 straight games and they totally dismantled the defending Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football.
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the 49ers are the first team with 10 wins to only 1 loss in about 12 years to go into Week 13 games as an underdog. Oddsmakers are listing the Ravens as 6 point favorites but we have not seen a 10 and 1 team listed without an advantage in the point spread since 2007, and even then the favorite team failed to cover the spread.
Still in all, there are many bettors out there who think that six points is not nearly enough considering what Baltimore has been doing lately. In the last five games the Ravens have outscored opponents, including teams like the Houston Texans and the Seattle Seahawks, by a total of 202 to 62, or by about 20 touchdowns. Now that -6 starts to make some sense.
The contest will take place on Sunday afternoon at M&T Bank Stadium on the river in Baltimore, which is not a closed in facility and the weather is predicted to be inclement this weekend on the east coast, so, cold, wind and rain could be a factor as well.
As further proof that Las Vegas lines makers believe in the Baltimore Ravens, they are now the odds on favorites to win Super Bowl LIV and take the Lombardi Trophy back to Baltimore. The Ravens are now at 3-1 with the Patriots at 7-2 and the New Orleans Saints at 4-1. The 49ers follow at 7-1 with the Chiefs at 10-1 and both the Seahawks and the Vikings are listed at 12-1.
NBA ACTION HEATS UP EARLY THIS YEAR
Four teams in the NBA Eastern Division stand at .750 or better 17 games into the season with the Milwaukee Bucks alone at the top of the heap at 14 and 3 with a .824 winning percentage scoring an average of almost 120 points per game while allowing only 110.6 point per game from their opponents.
The Boston Celtics, the Miami Heat and the Toronto Raptors are all close behind with 12 wins each to just 4 losses, so, their winning percentage is right on .7500. Points per game for all three teams are similar at around 111.
The Bucks are currently on an 8 game winning streak, so catching up to them in the near future may be more than most teams can handle. But, the season is still young and there is a lot of NBA Basketball yet to be played.
Correspondingly, Milwaukee is the current favorite in the NBA East at +400 at the big Las Vegas sports books. The Philadelphia 76ers are at +700 and the Boston Celtics are listed at +900. All other teams in the NBA East are +2500 and up beginning with last years’ NBA Finals winning Toronto Raptors.
Over in the NBA Western Division however, we have a completely different story. In fact a line picking the East or the West in the NBA this year would show the West as being heavily favored.
When LeBron James saw the opportunity to get New Orleans’ big man Anthony Davis to join the Lakers squad, he jumped at it right away. The perennial All Star was lacking a ‘soul partner’ on the court if he was to lead the Lakers back to their traditional greatness, and he had seen Anthony Davis play before.
The chemistry was almost instantaneous and now the Lakers are at 15-2 having only lost their first game to their neighboring LA Clippers and then dropping one to the defending NBA champion Toronto Raptors in early November. Apart from those two losses, the Lakers have pretty much dominated every team they have come up against this season and look to be able to continue that run.
Behind the Lakers in the West are the Denver Nuggets at 12-3 and the LA Clippers at 12-5 followed by the Dallas Mavericks, the Houston Rockets and the Utah Jazz, all with 11 wins so far this season. Utah is currently listed at +900 with the Houston Rockets at +800 while the over achieving Dallas Mavericks are only getting +3000 at this point.
Leading the NBA West once again are the Los Angeles Lakers, bringing cheers and joy back to the Staples Center in downtown LA once again. Who knows, Jack Nicholson might even start showing up again at courtside.
The LA Clippers have even invaded the Lakers home quarters at the Staples Center while their new basketball palace is being built over in nearby Englewood on the site of the fabled Hollywood Park Horse Racing Track. Actually the deal is working out well for both NBA clubs and surely for the Staples Center which changes the floor decorations depending on which team is playing that night and there has been nothing but respect shown by both side so far.
Both the Lakers and the Clippers are leading the NBA at present with just a +150 posted by the oddsmakers. The Denver Nuggets follow at +800 and the Utah Jazz at +900.
The Lakers also lead in the current ‘Power Rankings’ in the news this week followed by the Bucks and the Clippers with Denver, Dallas, Philadelphia and defending NBA Finals Champions the Toronto Raptors in 7th place.
The early leaders have been established in the NBA season. Now we will see which teams have the staying power and which display the power to come from behind and give the big boys a run for their money.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL’S RIVALRY WEEKEND
The game of College Football in the USA is celebrating its 150 anniversary this year and on many college campuses around the country the most important game of the year remains to be played as rivalry weekend finally arrives. Many are instate rivalries, while others have a standing tradition going back well over 100 years. There are places where the annual rivalry game is more important than any other championship; like the Army-Navy game for instance, and there are others as well.
We even have manufactured rivalries now that the SEC has somehow deemed it correct to cancel out the long standing last game rivalry between LSU and the University of Arkansas and invent new rivalries. With one stroke of the pen the SEC declared that in the future LSU and Texas A&M would be rivals while Arkansas would inherit the Missouri Tigers instead of the LSU Tigers as their new rivals. Ridiculous.
So now, on rivalry weekend, LSU will be taking on the newly acquired rival Texas A&M under head coach Jimbo Fisher, who once coached at LSU and was a serious candidate for the head coaching job in Baton Rouge now held by Ed Orgeron, in a game that could influence the CFP championship standings should the Aggies pull off the upset of the season so far as 17 point underdogs down in LSU’s ‘Death Valley’ stadium.
But the Tigers did not look like a team that should be taken lightly by anyone this year coming off the field after a sound victory over previous rival Arkansas as they only showed smiles instead of celebrations and spoke only of the work left to be done and the job to be finished. They mean the CFP National Championship Title, and nothing less. As ‘Coach O’ always ends his interviews, Geaux Tigers!
Elsewhere in the SEC over in Auburn, Alabama, the Auburn Tigers will host coach Nick Saban and his banged up #4 ranked Crimson Tide team as just 4 point underdogs, which is the smallest number put up for a Crimson Tide game in quite awhile. This is stacking up to be one of the great games of rivalry weekend this year as both teams take the instate rivalry very seriously and both have a legitimate shot at winning the game.
While it is true that ‘the Tide’ will be appearing for the second time without the services of starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who has been replaced by back QB Mac Jones after sustaining a season ending hip injury, Nick Saban is never to be underestimated and Tua is, after all, only one guy.
Of course the rivalry game with the most CFP significance will be played up at the ‘Big House’ in Ann Arbor, Michigan when the CFP #2 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes come to visit as 8.5 point favorites. Michigan goes in to the game ranked at #13 by the CFP committee and Wolverine head coach Jim Harbaugh is 1-10 against Top Ten CFP teams. After this year’s loss to Norte Dame, the natives starting getting restless and Coach Harbaugh needs a win to settle them down once again. It would be an epic upset!
CFP #3 ranked Clemson will visit instate rival South Carolina down in Columbus on the Gamecocks’ home field as huge 25.5 favorites but may face stiffer competition that anticipated as South Carolina head football coach Will Muschamp told the press recently that one of his goals when he took the job was to ‘Win the State’, which basically means beating Clemson. The 4-7 Gamecocks will give Dabo Swinney’s talented bunch all they bargained for and more on rivalry weekend this year.
The battle for the state of Florida will take place in Gainesville when the CFP #11 ranked Gators host the hapless Florida A&M Seminoles on Saturday afternoon as 17 point favorites. The outcome of this contest will have strong influence on the bowl picture for the Gators, while a strong showing will go a long way towards paving the way back to success for the ‘Noles.
The #21 Oklahoma State Cowboys will host the #9 Oklahoma Sooners who will go into the contest with at 10-1 record and still harboring hopes of making the CFP final four this year. The Sooners will be 12.5 point favorites on Saturday afternoon.
Up in the Big 10, the over achieving #10 Minnesota Gophers will host the rival #12 Wisconsin Badgers as 2.5 point underdogs at home, on campus in Minneapolis. Both teams are coming off of disappointing losses so the significance of this contest goes beyond mire rivalry as both teams see victory here as necessary to salvage their seasons.
