Payne Insider's blog

Struggling NBA franchises will have their fate decided by ping pong balls at 8:30 p.m. ET this evening from the Millennium Hotel in Times Square. Teams will learn where they'll be picking in the 2013 NBA Draft moments before solid franchises tip for game 2 of the Western Conference finals.

Scandal at The Mothership! ESPN aired yesterday's edition of First Take, and boy, was there some controversy. No, Skip and Stephen weren't arguing about worldly matters like Tim Tebow performing circumcisions in his spare time.

Written By: Richard Salvatori - Follow him on Twitter @DickieSalvatori

The NFL Draft combined with regime changes allow for prognosticators and pundits alike to get a true sense of how the league is reshaping. There’s still much to do with free agents roaming the market, rookie camp, OTA’s etc., but it isn’t too early to get an idea of how oddsmakers and the gambling community view squads right now.

Using Atlantis Casino 2013 Win Totals this is a group of teams that has the potential to make you money simply based on their current perception relative to win projection.

By: @ToddFuhrman - Market Analyst and Columnist for OutKickTheCoverage

We’ve all been there before: stuck racking our brain with how to structure monies on a Saturday when 15 plays across 4 sports appear too good to pass up. Let me quiet a myth right now: there’s no fixed number of games to play but a bettor should always be cognizant of how much liability is being extended at any given time. I know this seems somewhat counter-intuitive for those just learning the ropes; however, like every other lesson in sports gambling, it will make sense in time as your experience grows and leads us to the discussion of units: the case for and against flat betting.

Written By: Richard Salvatori - Follow him on Twitter @DickieSalvatori

The 2012-2013 season has been in the books for over a month now, and we are finally beginning to see the future take shape around the country. Personnel changes in the form of transfers and recruiting will play a big role as always, and it’s never too early to start considering who will benefit most.

Written By: Richard Salvatori - You can follow him on Twitter @DickieSalvatori

The NCAA men’s Final Four is an event comparable to the Super Bowl in the sense that it provides a
great gambling opportunity for bettors to cash in before season’s end in what is an annual, televised
event for which viewership will be excessive.

More viewers equals more gambling and, as a result, a market with increased intrigue is established. But
the weekend in total should be analyzed before decisions are made, and thus we’ll look to break down
everything these national semifinals have to offer in order to make you a more informed viewer.

Written By: Billy Attridge @WATT_05

Final Four Betting Odds Preview:

#1 Louisville (33-5) vs. #9 Wichita State (30-8), 6:09 pm EST
Line Opened: Louisville-10, 130.5
Current: Lousiville-10.5, 132.5

Key Factors:

Written By: Richard Salvatori - You can follow him on Twitter @DickieSalvatori

Since FGCU broke down all historical barriers en route to a Sweet 16 appearance, all of the talk has centered around head coach Andy Enfield, his apparent wealth and his smoking-hot wife.

But take a look at this roster and you will see a lot more than just a coach whose pockets may or may not be stacked. Enfield had a plan from the very start in developing this group, and their thrashing of the Miami Hurricanes back in November should have been a warning sign for all to take note of.

Written By: Richard Salvatori - You can follow him on Twitter @DickieSalvatori

Like most sports fans we constantly debate topics with friends, and while we like to think we win every time, that’s not the case. However, bragging rights are on the line as Tournament time approaches and we fill out our brackets trying to find the four teams that will meet for all the marbles in Atlanta.

One argument and theory I hear over and over again is how “open,” this field is. ESPN and CBS analysts along with countless other talking heads believe that virtually anyone has the ability to advance deep into the field this year, and there’s SOME validity to that.

Written By: Benjamin Tenenbaum @BTenenbaum

Every year millions of college basketball fans around the world await word on who is in, and who has been left out of the brackets. You see, it has become a national pastime, right up there with Super Bowl squares and rooting against the Yankees in October. However, before we get to that point there are two weeks that college basketball gamblers see as their Super Bowl. This year, the Brady’s and Manning’s are found in the Big Ten Conference which currently boasts five teams that have graced the top 10 most of the year. That is astounding considering the Big East has two and the ACC has one. This is going to make for an exciting tournament in Chicago and opportunities for sports gamblers.