Dog Player
By Kris Lazaro (11/30/2006)
Definition
The term “dog” is a short term version of the word “underdog”; “dog player” is another way to say “underdog player”. In sports betting, the term underdog is the antithesis of the favorite. Both terms are arbitrary and are used by oddsmakers to designate the two teams involved in a sports game matchup.
What is an underdog?
The underdog in sports gambling is the one not favored to win. If a player decides to back an underdog in a sports game, he/she can either receive the points or play the underdog on the moneyline at plus money. If the player decides to receive the points, the player is backing the underdog. The bet is decided after final score of the game, whereby the points are added to the underdog’s score; if after this the underdog’s combined score is more than the favorite’s, the underdog bet will win.
Example of an underdog winning ATS, but not winning the game
In game 5 of the National Basketball League Finals, the Dallas Mavericks were 1.5 point underdogs to the homestanding Miami Heat. Dallas shockingly covered the tiny spread, but unfortunately lost the game straight up (the final score was 101-100 Miami). Adding 1.5 points to Dallas’ final score of 100, makes their final combined score of 102.5; as one can see Dallas beat Miami on the spread (since 102.5 > 101 points). This game also highlights the fact that in most high profile games, backing the underdog necessitates taking the points, and not necessarily on the moneyline.
What is a dog player?
A dog player is one who exclusively bets the underdog. This type of gambling is generally very profitable, since it is inherently betting with the casinos. Since the general public backs the favorite on most occasions, consistently backing the underdog will result in sure profit in the long run.
Major League Baseball
The best way to bet baseball is to predominantly bet the underdog, either on the moneyline, or ‘make’ the favorite into an underdog by playing the favorite runline (playing the –1.5 runs on the favorite). By playing this way, the sports bettor can avoid paying the high juices on favorites and can actually show profit even if one’s winning percentage is lower than 50%. An general blind underdog betting system in MLB is to bet American League underdogs who are batting at a higher average than their opponent.
Summary
In conclusion, the underdog is the one not favored to win an event. An underdog player is one who predominantly plays the underdog (either on the spread or on the moneyline). In general, blindly betting on the underdog in pointspread games will show profit in the long term.
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