In many ways, sports gamblers are a step ahead of the general public when it comes to statistics. Football bettors have used Yards Per Pass Attempt as a measure of rating team’s passing game for years, long before it became a generally used statistic by everyone.

Sports bettors who wager on college football or basketball have used Average Opponent’s Power Rating for decades, and the stat is now commonly used by the public under the guise of Strength of Schedule.

But there’s another statistic that football bettors have used for years that hasn’t caught on with the public yet and that is Yards Per Point. Yards Per Point is a quick and easy method that lets football bettors access the offensive and defensive strength of a particular team.

It’s important to note that while Yards Per Point can be used for college football, its primary use is for the NFL, as there is less of a difference in the relative strength of schedule in the professional game than there is in the college game.

How Yards Per Point Works

To calculate the Yards Per Point of any team you will need several statistics that are readily available; the points the team has scored and allowed, as well as the offensive yards gained and the defensive yards allowed by the team.

To get the team’s offensive Yards Per Point simply divide the offensive yards gained by the number of points scored. (If the statistics available to you are per game, you can simply use those, as it will yield the same result as using season statistics.

In 2007, the New England Patriots averaged 411.2 offensive yards per game and scored 36.8 points per game. To get New England’s offensive Yards Per Point (YPP) take 411.2 and divide by 36.8 to get a total of 11.17. What this means is that the Patriots averaged one point for every 11.17 yards they gained.

One the other hand, a team like the 4-12 Kansas City Chiefs averaged 276.8 yards of offense per game and scored an average of 14.1 points per game. Kansas City’s offensive YPP is then 19.63 (276.8/14.1 = 19.63). Therefore, Kansas City scored an average of one point for every 19.63 yards gained.

Naturally, a low number is best for offense, as the fewer yards the team needs to travel before scoring, the better.

Defensive YPP figures are calculated in the same manner, except that yards allowed and points allowed are used. New England allowed 288.3 yards and 17.1 points per game, so their defensive YPP would be 16.86. Kansas City allowed 319.4 yards per game and surrendered 20.9 points per game and would have a defensive YPP rating of 15.28.

Uses of Yards Per Point

There is really no limit to the uses of YPP calculations. Some bettors will use season statistics, while others will use just statistics from the past four to six weeks. Others, still, will use both.

One of the most popular methods for using YPP is simply taking the yards allowed by each team and dividing by the opposition’s offensive YPP to come up with a quick predicted score.

For example, using our Kansas City and New England statistics from above, we see that the Chiefs allow and average of 319.4 defensive yards per game. Divide that figure by New England’s offensive YPP rating of 11.17 and we get a quick figure of 28.6, which is New England’s predicted score.

New England allowed 288.3 yards per game, which divided by Kansas City’s offensive YPP number of 19.63 would yield a predicted score of 14.7. Therefore, our quick YPP figures make New England 13.9 points better than Kansas City with a predicted total of 43.3 points.

In future articles we’ll look at more uses of Yards Per Point in action, but now you should have a decent understanding of the concept and may want to do some experimenting on your own.

source: sportsgambling.about.com

Runner-up to ‘WWE’s Diva Search’ is sexy-tough and single!

While she looks damn fine in a bikini, Jennifer loves nothing more than going out in sweats and a baseball cap, and hopefully soon enough a lab coat – as she has plans of becoming a doctor once she’s done with modeling. A huge sports fan growing up in the suburbs of Lansing, Michigan, Jennifer stays in shape by boxing, swimming, as well as playing baseball. Although she’s currently single, as the runner-up in 2006’s WWE Diva Search she’s proven she can handle herself, so just watch where you put your hands guys – or she’ll kick your ass!

Click Here to Register at BetUS.com

Lasseters Sportsbook, which prides itself on offering a wide variety of odds on both sporting and niche/entertainment events, is pleased to offer odds on the World Sauna Championships this weekend taking place in Finland!

Since 1999, every year, contestants gather to see who can take the heat by seeing which person can stay in the sauna the longest. Men and women compete seperately, and for each there are preliminary rounds and then the championship. The championship round is for the 6 finalists, and they will sit in a sauna as water is added to the stove every 30 seconds. You may ask yourself how is the winner chosen. The answer is: the last person to be able to walk out without help.

The reigning champions, Timo Kaukonen (m.) and Leila Kulin (f.), have dominated since 2006. Will they continue their steamy success in 2008?

After a flight from one hemisphere to another, the Olympic Team has arrived at the site of the 2008 Summer Olympics.

It’s a sport with its roots deeply intertwined in the United States, but everybody is trying to catch Cuba. The island country just south of Florida is a powerhouse in Olympic baseball, having won three of the four tournaments, which began in 1992 at the Barcelona games. In fact, the United States didn’t even qualify for the tournament at the Athens games in 2004. And, sadly for many, this could be the final Olympics for baseball. It will not be played in London in 2012. But there’s one tournament left. What’s at stake? 

The final Olympics baseball tournament could take place in Beijing, and Team USA has plans to make it memorable. “We knew going in that we wanted a veteran club, a team of guys who have been battle-tested, so to speak,” said Bob Watson, general manager of USA Baseball, in a news conference. “But we wanted younger prospects as well, guys with the fire to go out and showcase their talents on the international stage.”  Look at some of those players going for the gold medal in China: Matt LaPorta, Dexter Fowler, Stephen Strasburg, Jayson Nix and Brandon Knight.

Bet on Olympic Baseball. Click Here!

NFL’s training camps are full steam ahead and the pre-season’s first games are set to kick off very shortly.  In offices and dorm rooms across the country Fantasy Football drafts and mock drafts dominate conversation.  People are frantically, nervously, some would even say desperately scouring the internet for answers to the their most burning fantasy football questions.

This being the case the largest most successful sportsbook on the web, BetUS.com posted odds on every possible NFL Fantasy Football scenario and outcome.

 “People LOVE fantasy football leagues and everything that comes with it,” stated Bet US.com spokesmen Reed Richards.  “Whether it’s for the glory of winning, bragging rights, or whatever other gentlemanly reward is at stake, people have been flooding our site looking for the edge that will help them win it.  As always…we’re happy to oblige.”

Analysts at BetUS.com posted the following odds on NFL Fantasy Football:

Quarterback to have best Fantasy Season
Tom Brady  2/1
Peyton Manning  4/1
Tony Romo  6/1
Drew Brees  8/1
Carson Palmer 10/1
Derek Anderson 10/1
Ben Roethlisberger 10/1
Donovan McNabb 15/1
Matt Hasselbeck  20/1
Marc Bulger   20/1
David Garrard 25/1
Field 10/1

Running Back to Have best Fantasy Season
Ladainian Tomlinson  2/1
Adrian Peterson 2/1
Steven Jackson 8/1
Brian Westbrook 9/1
Joseph Addai 10/1
Marion Barber 12/1
Frank Gore 15/1
Clinton Portis 20/1
Marshawn Lynch 25/1
Larry Johnson 20/1
Reggie Bush 15/1
Field  10/1

Wide Receiver To have best Fantasy Season
Randy Moss 3/1
Terrell Owens 4/1
Reggie Wayne 6/1
Andre Johnson 7/1
Braylon Edwards 10/1
Steve Smith 12/1
Larry Fitzgerald 15/1
TJ Houshmandzadeh 15/1
Marques Colston 15/1
Torry Holt 20/1
Chad Johnson 8/1
Field  5/1

Tight End To Have Best Fantasy Season
Antonio Gates 5/1
Jason Witten 6/1
Kellen Winslow 7/1
Tony Gonzalez 10/1
Dallas Clark 9/1
Chris Cooley 12/1
Jeremy Shockey 15/1
Vernon Davis 15/1
Todd Heap 20/1
Heath Miller 15/1
Field 6/1
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Team To Have Best fantasy Special Teams (Season)
Chicago Bears 3/1
Cleveland Browns 5/1
Buffalo Bills 8/1
Houston Texans 8/1
San Diego Chargers 7/1
New York Jets 10/1
New England Patriots 6/1
Seattle Seahawks  15/1
Baltimore Ravens 12/1
Jacksonville Jaguars 15/1
Field 5/1
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Team to Have Best fantasy Defensive Line
Minnesota Vikings 4/1
New York Giants 5/1
New England Patriots 4/1
Baltimore Ravens 4/1
Tennessee Titans 10/1
Dallas Cowboys  9/1
Pittsburgh Steelers 7/1
San Diego Chargers 10/1
Green Bay Packers 15/1
Jacksonville Jaguars 20/1
Field 6/1
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Team to have best fantasy linebackers
 Dallas Cowboys 5/2
San Diego Chargers 3/1
New England Patriots 4/1
Chicago Bears 7/1
Seattle Seahawks 9/1
Carolina Panthers 15/1
Jacksonville Jaguars 15/1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20/1
Baltimore Ravens 15/1
Green Bay Packers 15/1
Field 5/1
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Team to have best fantasy offensive line
Cleveland Browns 5/1
Dallas Cowboys 4/1
Minnesota Vikings 4/1
New England Patriots 4/1
Indianapolis Colts 8/1
San Diego Chargers 10/1
New York Giants 15/1
Green Bay Packers 20/1
New Orleans Saints 20/1
Philadelphia Eagles 20/1
Field 7/1
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For more sports, entertainment, and pop culture odds Visit Betus.com!

In what is being dubbed “BetUS.com 2.0“, the team at BetUS today announced the release of a new web site and betting engine – offering bettors a sleeker, more seamless portal to get in on the latest sports, casino and poker action. 

“We have always prided ourselves of providing our visitors with a first-class experience,” stated BetUS.com spokesman Reed Richards.  “Now we’ve taken it to the next level and we’re sure our clients will be pleased.  Our feedback from beta users was bug-free and overwhelmingly positive.”

As one of the pioneers in the online gaming industry, BetUS.com has tirelessly worked to be innovators on the web and the new web site is their most recent example. More!

Some of the major improvements to the BetUs website include:

•    One-click betting to the most popular events; current games about to go off the board and featured propositions & futures.�
•    Retractable account details display – great for hiding details from your spouse or boss.
•    Search for odds by team name or by rotation number which will return all open bets on that game or team, including quarters, halves and props.
•    Ability to choose between three different odds formats (U.S., Euro, UK).
•    Watch your bet slip build as you’re selecting your wagers without the need to go to another page.
•    Make multiple types of wagers at the same time without have to re-input your selections.
•    Ability to type in your risk or win amount before placing your wager
•    Move to a higher screen resolution to make the site easier to read
•    New Casino Lobby

“It’s important for us to let our clients know we’re not just about great bonuses, great rewards and great service,” added Richards.  “We make a significant investment in new technology and we aim to provide them with a user experience that is unrivaled elsewhere.  I think we’ve done exactly that.”

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With the 2008 Summer Olympics just several weeks away, sports gamblers are starting to pay a little more attention to the lines being offered by various sportsbooks. While the Olympics remain popular in the United States, the games don’t cause near the excitement in the states that they do in other countries. As a result, sports bettors should be able to find fair prices on many of the U.S. entries.
The United States hasn’t fared too well in men’s basketball recently, but this year’s team appears to be the best one sent out in quite some time. If the team can work together, something which several of the biggest stars, such as Kobr Bryant, LeBron James, and Dwayne Wade have been stressing, the only thing that should be determined in Beijing is which country wins the silver medal.

Looking at the current odds from Olympic Sportsbook:

USA -325
Spain +465
Argentina +1415
Lithuania +2550
Russia +2550
Field +2050

It’s easy to see the only real competition the United States is expected to receive comes from Spain, but a motivated United States team should be able to dispose of Spain.

Typically, laying such odds as -325 is asking for trouble and is something I’ll almost always argue against, but in this case it appears to make sense. The U.S. has been embarrassed in international play several times in recent years, and this team looks like the one to make some amends.

USA Olympic Women’s Team

While the U.S. men’s team looks to be a decent bet, an even better one is to take the USA women’s team, even though the price is slightly higher.
Looking at current odds from Olympic Sportsbook:
USA -365
Australia +385
Russia +1015
Field +1615
Again, just one team is given much of a chance to defeat the United States, this time it’s Australia, but the US has been dominant in the Olympics, capturing the last three gold medals. Women’s basketball was introduced at the 1976 Olympic Games, and the US women have won five golds, one silver and one bronze, while posting a 42-3 record during that span. With players such as Lisa Leslie, Candace Parker, Diana Taurasi, Cappie Pondexter, and Katie Smith, the US women’s team should be able to breeze past the opposition.

Both US teams are solid favorites, and deservedly so. Barring a major upset, both should also return from China with gold medals.

On July 26th, at the MGM Grand Garden, Las vegas, Miguel Cotto gets back in the ring, to face off with Antonio Margarito  in what figures to be one of the most interesting fight for online boxing bettors. The WBA Welterweight Champ, Miguel Cotto is the -175 odds favorite against the IBF Welterweight champ, Margarito.

Cotto, the undefeated WBA champion from Puerto Rico, will headline a Las Vegas card for the first time when he meets IBF champion Margarito at the MGM Grand Garden. Miguel Cotto (32-0, 26 KO’s) of Caguas, Puerto Rico has been skillfully managed, and not only built up his record and confidence, but actually gave him the incremental.

Cotto is not the biggest puncher but he punches hard. He’s a boxer mostly and uses footwork and timing to move in and out of his opponents range and work his offense in rhythmic spurts. He’s a serious tough guy and has demonstrated the ability to over come adversity, particularly in the controversial De Marcus Corley fight back in 2005, when Cotto was still campaigning at Jr. Welter.

Start betting in this great fight now and enjoy BetUS $75 Welcome Bonus.

Antonio Margarito (36-5, 26 KO’s) hails from Tijuana Mexico and at five feet eleven inches tall, he’s pretty big for a welterweight. He’s a brawler with sneaky power in both hands and has a damn good chin. Margarito is pure warrior—a “fighter.” Margarito likes attacking the body and keeping up the kind of pressure that takes opponents out of their game plan and into his favorite fashion of fisticuffs; the brawl.

If you like “sluggers” Margarito is your kind of fighter. He doesn’t talk nonsense and he doesn’t care about trying to speak English, he speaks his language in the ring. Margarito is not the most polished boxer, but his boxing skills are good. He is a natural slow starter, who often boxes for the first few rounds to figure you out. That is the place where he is vulnerable. Margarito is tough and has never been knocked out, even though he’s lost five fights since turning pro in circa 1994.

Boxing online wagers take Cotto as favourite to beat Margarito by decision.  But I’d take a chance and bet on Margarito winning by KO.  Check all Cotto vs Margarito final result odds.

With MLB’s midway point marked by epic All-Star festivities and competition at Yankee stadium, fans and players alike are gearing up for the second half of what is sure to e a barn-burner of a season.  Speculation and debate is bubbling over with questions like who will win it all this year?  How long until our coach gets fired?  Will our clean-up hitter out-perform the rest?  Who will win the Cy Young award?

Fans are looking for answers and the biggest most successful sportsbook on the web, BetUS.com posted early season predictions on all things MLB to give them semblance of what to expect the rest of the way.

“The first half of MLB’s regular season was very exciting – and it was capped off by a thrilling all-star game and home-run derby,” stated BetUS.com spokesman Reed Richards.  “Interest in America’s pastime is still alive and well and fans are flooding our site for up-to-the-minute predictions.  We’ve got everything from World Series odds, to MVP candidates, and CY Young predictions as well!” 

Oddsmakers at BetUS Sportsbook posted the following early season odds on MLB Baseball:

To Win World Series
New York Yankees 12/1
Boston Red Sox   7/2
Chicago White Sox  11/1
Oakland Athletics  30/1
Los Angeles Angels 7/1
Minnesota Twins  25/1
Detroit Tigers   22/1
Toronto Blue Jays 150/1
Cleveland Indians  100/1
Texas Rangers   150/1
New York Mets   12/1
St Louis Cardinals 16/1
San Diego Padres 200/1
Los Angeles Dodgers 22/1
Philadelphia Phillies  12/1
Florida Marlins  30/1
Atlanta Braves   40/1
Houston Astros   300/1
Cincinnati Reds  300/1
San Francisco Giants 150/1
Chicago Cubs   4/1
Colorado Rockies  150/1
Arizona Diamondbacks  18/1
Milwaukee Brewers  14/1
Seattle Mariners 1000/1
Pittsburgh Pirates  500/1
Baltimore Orioles   350/1
Kansas City Royals   750/1
Tampa Bay Devil Rays  8/1
Washington Nationals 1000/1

AL Cy Young Award
Josh Beckett 8/1
Justin Duchscherer 8/1
Roy Halladay  5/2
Cliff Lee  5/2
Mike Mussina 10/1
Mariano Rivera 7/1
Francisco Rodriguez 7/2
Ervin Santana  10/1
Joe Saunders 12/1
Field  13/2

NL Cy Young Award
Ryan Dempster  8/1
Cole Hamels  9/2
Tim Lincecum 5/2
Johan Santana 8/1
Ben Sheets 9/2
Edinson Volquez 5/2
Brandon Webb 3/1
Carlos Zambrano 5/1
Field   5/1

AL MVP Award
Milton Bradley 12/1
Jermaine Dye  15/1
JD Drew 12/1
Vladimir Guerrero 10/1
Josh Hamilton 2/1
Ian Kinsler 11/2
Evan Longoria 20/1
Justin Morneau 4/1
Manny Ramirez  12/1
Carlos Quentin 12/1
Mariano Rivera 16/1
Alex Rodriguez 13/2
Francisco Rodriguez 12/1
BJ Upton 20/1
Kevin Youkilis 15/1
Field  13/2

NL MVP Award
Lance Berkman 5/1
Ryan Braun  8/1
Matt Holliday 15/1
Ryan Howard  8/1
Chipper Jones 13/2
Derrek Lee 8/1
Russell Martin 12/1
Albert Pujols 4/1
Hanley Ramirez 7/1
Dan Uggla 16/1
Chase Utley 3/1
David Wright 13/2
Field 13/2

For more sports and entertainment odds visitBetus.com Now!

With MLB’s midway point marked by epic All-Star festivities and competition at Yankee stadium, fans and players alike are gearing up for the second half of what is sure to e a barn-burner of a season.  Speculation and debate is bubbling over with questions like who will win it all this year?  How long until our coach gets fired?  Will our clean-up hitter out-perform the rest?  Who will win the Cy Young award?

Fans are looking for answers and the biggest most successful sportsbook on the web, Bet US.com posted early season predictions on all things MLB to give them semblance of what to expect the rest of the way.

“The first half of MLB’s regular season was very exciting – and it was capped off by a thrilling all-star game and home-run derby,” stated BetUS.com spokesman Reed Richards.  “Interest in America’s pastime is still alive and well and fans are flooding our site for up-to-the-minute predictions.  We’ve got everything from World Series odds, to MVP candidates, and CY Young predictions as well!” 

Oddsmakers at BetUS.com posted the following early season odds on MLB Betting:

To Win World Series
New York Yankees 12/1
Boston Red Sox   7/2
Chicago White Sox  11/1
Oakland Athletics  30/1
Los Angeles Angels 7/1
Minnesota Twins  25/1
Detroit Tigers   22/1
Toronto Blue Jays 150/1
Cleveland Indians  100/1
Texas Rangers   150/1
New York Mets   12/1
St Louis Cardinals 16/1
San Diego Padres 200/1
Los Angeles Dodgers 22/1
Philadelphia Phillies  12/1
Florida Marlins  30/1
Atlanta Braves   40/1
Houston Astros   300/1
Cincinnati Reds  300/1
San Francisco Giants 150/1
Chicago Cubs   4/1
Colorado Rockies  150/1
Arizona Diamondbacks  18/1
Milwaukee Brewers  14/1
Seattle Mariners 1000/1
Pittsburgh Pirates  500/1
Baltimore Orioles   350/1
Kansas City Royals   750/1
Tampa Bay Devil Rays  8/1
Washington Nationals 1000/1

AL Cy Young Award
Josh Beckett 8/1
Justin Duchscherer 8/1
Roy Halladay  5/2
Cliff Lee  5/2
Mike Mussina 10/1
Mariano Rivera 7/1
Francisco Rodriguez 7/2
Ervin Santana  10/1
Joe Saunders 12/1
Field  13/2

NL Cy Young Award
Ryan Dempster  8/1
Cole Hamels  9/2
Tim Lincecum 5/2
Johan Santana 8/1
Ben Sheets 9/2
Edinson Volquez 5/2
Brandon Webb 3/1
Carlos Zambrano 5/1
Field   5/1

AL MVP Award
Milton Bradley 12/1
Jermaine Dye  15/1
JD Drew 12/1
Vladimir Guerrero 10/1
Josh Hamilton 2/1
Ian Kinsler 11/2
Evan Longoria 20/1
Justin Morneau 4/1
Manny Ramirez  12/1
Carlos Quentin 12/1
Mariano Rivera 16/1
Alex Rodriguez 13/2
Francisco Rodriguez 12/1
BJ Upton 20/1
Kevin Youkilis 15/1
Field  13/2

NL MVP Award
Lance Berkman 5/1
Ryan Braun  8/1
Matt Holliday 15/1
Ryan Howard  8/1
Chipper Jones 13/2
Derrek Lee 8/1
Russell Martin 12/1
Albert Pujols 4/1
Hanley Ramirez 7/1
Dan Uggla 16/1
Chase Utley 3/1
David Wright 13/2
Field 13/2

For more sports and entertainment odds visit BetUs.com!