Gator Bowl: Clemson vs. Nebraska Preview

The Clemson Tigers finished the season on a roll playing tough defense and the Nebraska Cornhuskers finished the year on a roll playing great offense.
Both will after a win January 1 when they meet at Municipal Stadium in the Gator Bowl.
Oddsmakers currently have the Tigers listed as 1½-point favorites versus the Cornhuskers, while the game’s total is sitting at 57.
James Davis rushed for three touchdowns to pace Clemson to a 31-14 win over South Carolina in Week 14.
The Tigers covered the 1-point spread, while the final score played OVER the posted total of 40.5.
Joe Ganz tossed two touchdown strikes in Week 14 as Nebraska surged to a 40-31 win over Colorado.
The Cornhuskers failed to cover the 18-point spread at home in that contest, while the combined score went OVER the posted total (57.5).
Team records:
Clemson: 7-5 SU, 4-6 ATS
Nebraska: 8-4 SU, 6-6 ATS
Clemson most recently:
When playing in January are 1-3
When playing on grass are 7-3
After outgaining opponent are 5-5
When playing outside the conference are 7-3

Nebraska most recently:
When playing in January are 3-2
When playing on grass are 4-6
After outgaining opponent are 6-4
When playing outside the conference are 7-3

A few trends to consider:
Clemson is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Clemson is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Nebraska is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Nebraska’s last 5 games
Nebraska is 8-15 ATS in its last 23 games

 

Outback Bowl: Iowa vs. South Carolina Preview

The Iowa Hawkeyes beat a lot of good teams this year, while the South Carolina Gamecocks seemed to lose to a lot of good teams. What does that mean January 1 when they meet at Raymond James Stadium in the Outback Bowl?
Oddsmakers currently have the Hawkeyes listed as 4-point favorites versus the Gamecocks, while the game’s total is sitting at 43.
Ricky Stanzi threw for 255 yards with threw touchdowns to lead Iowa to a 55-0 drubbing of Minnesota in Week 13.
Iowa easily covered the 7-point spread, and the 55 points made it OVER the posted total of 44.5. Shonn Greene ran for two touchdowns in that win.
Chris Smelley completed 22-of-47 pass attempts for 207 yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions for South Carolina as they lost 31-14 to Clemson in Week 14.
The Gamecocks failed to cover the 1-point spread, while the final score played OVER the posted total of 40.5.
Team records:
Iowa: 8-4 SU, 7-4 ATS
South Carolina: 7-5 SU, 5-5-1 ATS
Iowa most recently:
When playing in January are 2-2
When playing on grass are 6-4
After outgaining opponent are 5-5
When playing outside the conference are 6-4

South Carolina most recently:
When playing in January are 2-0
When playing on grass are 5-5
After being outgained are 5-5
When playing outside the conference are 8-2

A few trends to consider:
Iowa is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Iowa is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Iowa’s last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of South Carolina’s last 7 games
South Carolina is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games

 

Every New Year’s Day Pick Bettors Need

Congratulations to the LateInfo Line which wins easily with LSU on New Year’s Eve. Staff Purchase plays go to an uncanny 13-0 on power of 620 sports services behind every selection, the MasterLockLine.

Did you have enough of Dick Clark, Evil Knievel, and Ryan Seacrest? So has the rest of the world. Let’s focus on somehow 2009 being as profitable as 2008.

MasterLockLine.com, which has the top plays from the top sports services in their highest ranked sports. Here is the Thursday’s rundown.

Authenticated Plays (explanation) 24-8 all-time. Today it includes three services that are Top 11 in one of the categories (explanation) have their Bowl Best Bet of the Year or equivalent play on Iowa/South Carolina side

Kongpop Sukhibomrong, head of the famed Pan-Asian Syndicate which dominated Asian and European soccer for years has now taken over the North American sports scene. His group has now merged with Danny Ying of SuperLockLine fame. Pop’s syndicate is the most requested source of winners in the history of the SuperLockLine and MasterLockLine.  Today get Michigan State/Georgia, Penn State/USC totals

Service out of the west coast is No. 1 college handicapper since Oct. 1 in all three categories of ROI, units won and winning percentage. College Postseason #1 Bet on Clemson-Nebraska side

The Coach Potato is the premier television handicapper in the world.  In 1988 after having success as a handicapper, investing 70-plus hours per week, he opted to streamline and concentrate on only national TV games.  His efficiency has paid off hitting at least 58 % in college and pro football and basketball. All plays are rated equally. At 8-2 he is the No. 1 bowl handicapper based on winning percentage. Penn State/USC side

Jimmy Ashton has hit his Bowl Game of the Year every year in the business (eight). He has the longest current run of perfection with such plays. Bowl Game of the Year on Michigan State/Georgia

The Duke, Jonathan Mardukas built up a large scorephone following over the last dozen or so years.  With a database that goes back to 1980 the MasterLockLine say he is the top ranked college and pro football handicapper EVER Virginia Tech/Cincinnati side

Get more than $300 worth of bets for just $16. Click now to purchase sports betting picks from the top sports services or you can get more information and a free sports pick

Now to the greatest service of all-time, GodsTips. Yesterday the Industry Standard goes 4-2 with Vanderbilt and the under, Kansas and LSU.

All we do is win. We’ve has six bowl Wise Guy plays. Five have won including Vanderbilt the latest. Get six bowl winners, two are Wise Guys, a side and our biggest bowl total. Click now to purchase GodsTips entire card.

Now to the founder of forensic sports handicapping. Make no mistake about it, tonight is the biggest release by any handicapper ever in this history of Rose Bowl betting.

As you know, a huge key to the success of The Great One is his less is more dictums. He may release fewer plays, but his winning percentage pays off. He has three bowl plays today including the Biggest Rose Bowl Best Bet Ever, a PERFECT PLAY on the side. Perfect Plays, which means an angle that is a 100 percent angle with a minimum of 10 games. Click now to purchase Stevie Vincent’s picks for just $40.  

Magic-Bulls Preview

The Orlando Magic and the Chicago Bulls will both be trying to pick up a win on Wednesday when they battle at United Center.
Oddsmakers currently have the Magic listed as 6-point favorites versus the Bulls, while the game’s total is sitting at 201.
The Magic had their seven-game win streak snapped in an 88-82 loss to the Pistons last time out. The Magic were favored by 3.5-points in that game, while the game’s 170 points fell well UNDER the posted total of 185.
Dwight Howard netted a double-double with 18 points and 18 rebounds in the loss.
The Bulls scored 30 points in the fourth quarter and ran away with a 100-87 victory over the Nets as 5-point underdogs on Monday. The 187 points fell UNDER the posted total of 209.5.
Ben Gordon led the Bulls with a team-high 24 points, and Derrick Rose tossed in 21 points with 13 assists.
Team records:
Orlando: 24-7 SU, 20-10-1 ATS
Chicago: 14-17 SU, 15-16 ATS
Orlando most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 4-6
Before playing Miami are 7-3
After playing Detroit are 4-6
After a loss are 7-3

Chicago most recently:
When playing on Wednesday are 3-7
Before playing Cleveland are 6-4
After playing New Jersey are 5-5
After a win are 2-8

A few trends to consider:
Orlando is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Chicago
Orlando is 10-1 ATS in its last 11 games
Orlando is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
Orlando is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
Chicago is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Chicago’s last 7 games when playing Orlando
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chicago’s last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Chicago’s last 11 games when playing at home against Orlando
Next up:
Orlando home to Miami, Friday, January 2
Chicago at Cleveland, Friday, January 2

 

Chick-fil-A Bowl: LSU vs. Georgia Tech Preview

The LSU Tigers went from national champions to a team trying to win the Chick-fil-A Bowl. Things sure change fast in college football, especially in the SEC.
The 9-3 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets will be playing a home bowl game December 31 when they meet the 7-5 Tigers at the Georgia Dome.
Oddsmakers currently have the Yellow Jackets listed as 4½-point favorites versus the Tigers, while the game’s total is sitting at 54.
LSU lost to Arkansas 31-30 as a 7-point favorite last time out. The combined score went OVER the posted over/under total (54).
Jordan Jefferson passed for 135 yards with two touchdowns for LSU and Brandon LaFell caught two passes for 49 yards with a touchdown.
Roddy Jones rushed for two touchdowns, including a 54-yard run late in the fourth quarter, to give Georgia Tech a 45-42 win over Georgia in Week 14.
The Jackets covered the 7.5-point spread, while the final score played well OVER the posted total of 50.5.
Team records:
LSU: 7-5 SU, 2-9 ATS
Georgia Tech: 9-3 SU, 8-2 ATS
LSU most recently:
When playing in December are 9-1
When playing on turf are 9-1
After being outgained are 7-3
When playing outside the conference are 10-0

Georgia Tech most recently:
When playing in December are 3-6
When playing on turf are 6-2
After being outgained are 4-6
When playing outside the conference are 7-3

A few trends to consider:
LSU is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of LSU’s last 10 games
LSU is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
LSU is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games
Georgia Tech is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games
Georgia Tech is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games

 

Insight Bowl: Minnesota vs. Kansas Preview

The Minnesota Golden Gophers were 7-1 and sitting pretty in the Big Ten at the end of October. Then, they four in a row and fell to 7-5 and a date with the Kansas Jayhawks December 31 at Sun Devil Stadium.
The 7-5 teams will battle for the Insight Bowl.
Oddsmakers currently have the Jayhawks listed as 8½-point favorites versus the Golden Gophers, while the game’s total is sitting at 60.
Minnesota was shut out 55-0 by Iowa in Week 13 as a 7-point underdog at home. That game’s 55 points made it OVER the posted total of 44.5.
Minnesota fell to 7-5 overall with the loss.
Todd Reesing’s TD pass to Kerry Meier with 33 seconds remaining gave Kansas a 40-37 upset win over Missouri in Week 14.
The Jayhawks covered the 16.5-point spread, while the combined score played OVER the posted total of 70.
Team records:
Minnesota: 7-5 SU, 7-4 ATS
Kansas: 7-5 SU, 6-5 ATS
Minnesota most recently:
When playing in December are 3-4
When playing on grass are 2-8
After being outgained are 3-7
When playing outside the conference are 6-4

Kansas most recently:
When playing in December are 2-1
When playing on grass are 6-4
After being outgained are 6-4
When playing outside the conference are 9-1

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Minnesota’s last 7 games
Minnesota is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games
Minnesota is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Kansas’s last 6 games
Kansas is 19-6 SU in its last 25 games
Kansas is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games

 

Music City Bowl: Boston College vs. Vanderbilt Preview

Vanderbilt looked like a contender in the SEC before the Commodore season wrecked on the rocks with four losses in five games to end the year. Now at 6-6, they face the 9-4 Boston College Eagles – losers in the ACC title game – December 31 at LP Field in the Music City Bowl.
Oddsmakers currently have the Eagles listed as 5-point favorites versus the Commodores, while the game’s total is sitting at 41.
Dominique Davis threw for 258 yards, one TD and two interceptions for Boston College in a 30-12 loss to Virginia Tech in Week 15.
The Eagles failed to cover the 1-point spread, while the combined score played OVER the posted total of 39.
Vanderbilt fell 23-10 to Wake Forest in Week 14 as a 4-point road underdog. That game’s 33 points fell UNDER the posted total of 38.
Brandon Barden caught two passes and scored the lone TD.
Team records:
Boston College: 9-4 SU, 7-5 ATS
Vanderbilt: 6-6 SU, 7-5 ATS
Boston College most recently:
When playing in December are 8-2
When playing on grass are 6-4
After outgaining opponent are 7-3
When playing outside the conference are 10-0

Vanderbilt most recently:
When playing in December are 0-1
When playing on grass are 4-6
After being outgained are 5-5
When playing outside the conference are 7-3

A few trends to consider:
Boston College is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Boston College is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Boston College’s last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Vanderbilt’s last 9 games
Vanderbilt is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Vanderbilt is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games

 

Sun Bowl: Pittsburgh vs. Oregon State Preview

The Pittsburgh Panthers clobbered Oregon State the last time they met in a bowl game back in 2002. But Pitt (9-3)opened as a small dog for its New Year’s Eve battle with the 8-4 Beavers in the Sun Bowl.
Oddsmakers currently have the Beavers listed as 1-point favorites versus the Panthers, while the game’s total is sitting at 52.
Bill Stull threw for 141 yards and two touchdowns to lead Pittsburgh to a 34-10 win over Connecticut in Week 15.
The Panthers covered the 1.5-point spread, while the combined score played just UNDER the posted total of 46.
Oregon State was upset 65-38 by Oregon in Week 14 as a 3-point favorite at home. That game’s 103 points sailed OVER the posted total of 58.
Lyle Moevao threw for 363 yards with five touchdowns for Oregon State. Shane Morales finished with 62 yards rushing with two touchdowns in the loss.
Team records:
Pittsburgh: 9-3 SU, 6-6
ATS
Oregon State
: 8-4 SU, 8-4 ATS
Pittsburgh most recently:
When playing in December are 6-3
When playing on turf are 5-5
After being outgained are 5-5
When playing outside the conference are 6-4

Oregon State most recently:
When playing in December are 6-4
When playing on turf are 8-2
After being outgained are 10-0
When playing outside the conference are 7-3

A few trends to consider:
Pittsburgh is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games
Pittsburgh is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Pittsburgh‘s last 18 games
Oregon State is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
Oregon State is 8-2 ATS in its last 10 games

 

2008 Closes Out Great For Sports Picks

There is plenty of action around the sports world leading up to the ball drop on New Year’s Eve. While 2008 has been a rough year for those dumb enough to gamble on Wall Street stocks, it’s been one of the greatest years in recorded history for the smartest investors, professional gamblers. One of the 10 strongest investment cards of the year closes out 2008 and here are all the sports picks needed by bettors.

Here’s a look at the full calendar in your Daily Sports Roundup.

The Gridiron Spotlight

The first bowl game on Wednesday gets underway at 12:00pm ET, with Houston (7-5 straight-up, 4-7 against-the-spread) taking on Air Force (8-4 SU, 7-4 ATS) in the Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth. The oddsmakers have Houston pegged as a 3.5-point fave in this game, while the posted total has been steady at 64 points.

Next up is the Sun Bowl at 2:00pm ET, with Pittsburgh (9-3 SU, 6-6 ATS) taking on Oregon State (8-4 SU, 8-4 ATS) in El Paso. Oregon State is listed as a 2.5-point favorite at Sun Bowl Stadium, while the total for the contest is at 51.5 points.

Boston College (9-4 SU, 7-5 ATS) and Vanderbilt (6-6 SU, 7-5 ATS) will then take the field at 3:30pm ET in the Music City Bowl in Nashville. The Eagles might not have the crowd on their side in this one, but the oddsmakers still have them listed as 3.5-point favorites in the game. The total is pegged at just 40.5 points.

At 5:30pm ET we’ll then get Kansas (7-5 SU, 6-5 ATS) and Minnesota (7-5 SU, 7-4 ATS) in the Insight Bowl at Tempe‘s Sun Devil Stadium. This game features the biggest spread on the day, as the oddsmakers have Kansas sitting as an 8.5-point favorite against the Golden Gophers. The total for the game is 58.5 points.

Finally, it’ll be LSU (7-5 SU, 2-9 ATS) vs. Georgia Tech (9-3 SU, 8-2 ATS) in the Chick-fil-A Bowl at 7:30pm ET at the Georgia Dome. The ranked Yellow Jackets are 4-point favorites in this contest, while the oddsmakers have the total at 52.5.
 
Other Notable Events

The Orlando Magic will try to end 2008 on a winning note when they play on the road against the Chicago Bulls in matinee action on Wednesday afternoon (with tipoff at 2:00pm ET). The Magic were knocked off 88-82 on the road by the Pistons on Monday evening despite Dwight Howard’s 18 points and 18 rebounds.

There are five other NBA games on the schedule for Wednesday, including a 3:00pm ET contest between the Nets and Pistons in Detroit. As well, it’s Milwaukee at Houston, Denver at Toronto, and Golden State at Oklahoma City, while the Sixers and the Clippers will finish the night with a game in Los Angeles.

The Rest of the Schedule

The NHL offers up seven games on Wednesday, including a Panthers/Islanders matchup on Long Island at 2:00pm ET. Rounding out the day’s slate: Atlanta at Carolina, Colorado at Phoenix, New Jersey at Dallas, Columbus at Anaheim, Edmonton at Calgary, and San Jose at Minnesota; the Sharks kept on winning on Monday, beating the Stars by a score of 3-1 thanks to two third-period tallies.

Finally, No. 1 North Carolina will try to boost their perfect record to 13-0 by beating Nevada in college hoops action on Wednesday night. Other ranked teams in action Wednesday include No. 3 Pittsburgh vs. Rutgers, No. 5 Duke vs. Loyola MD, No. 7 Notre Dame vs. DePaul, No. 10 Michigan State vs. No. 21 Minnesota, No. 16 Gonzaga vs. Utah, No. 18 Louisville vs. UNLV, No. 22 Xavier vs. Robert Morris, No. 23 Michigan vs. Wisconsin, and No. 24 Ohio State vs. Iowa.

A Peek at the Future

New Year’s Day features five more bowl games, including Southern Cal (-9) vs. Penn State in the Rose Bowl. As well, it’ll be Cincinnati (-2.5) vs. Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl, Iowa (-4) vs. South Carolina in the Outback Bowl, Clemson (-2.5) vs. Nebraska in the Gator Bowl, and Georgia (-7.5) vs. Michigan State in the Capital One Bowl . . . the NBA doesn’t have any games on the schedule for Thursday; the league will return to action on a busy Friday night with 15 games.

Sports Headlines

Following an emotional ceremony for Todd Doxey, Oregon took care of business and made GodsTips 80 percent this year with bowl Wise Guy plays. Wise Guy plays from Joe Duffy’s GodsTips are widely accepted by high rollers, bookmakers, linesmakers, and fellow handicappers as the biggest play in the handicapping abyss. This is just fact….Published reports out of New York say that Bill Cowher turned down the Jets head coaching job because he has no interest in coaching washed up Brett Favre…Charles Barkley has been arrested on DUI suspicion. Surely by the Times Square ball drop, Barkley will blame his arrest in racism…Mike Shanahan was fired as coach of the Denver Broncos…Free taxi rides and First Night notwithstanding, the sports betting card for New Year’s Eve is the way the wisest will celebrate as basketball holiday tournaments are overshadowed by the bowls but not by bettors who want to beat the sportsbooks…Aston Villa won 1-0 at Hull despite the antics of John Carew.

Politics

In entertainment and political betting odds Al Franken leads Norm Coleman by 48 votes in the never ending Minnesota Senate Race….Democratic Governor Rod Blagovich has appointed Roland Burris to the US Senate to fill the seat vacated by President Barack Obama…Reports say virginity pledges ineffective. Oscar Dooley is a virgin by choice, just not his choice.

New Year’s Eve Winning Bets

First night is the last day of a sensational 2008 for bettors, but 2009 promises to be even better as sharp players are winning more than ever and squares losing more.

Let’s take a look at who is hot and who has the big plays for New Year’s Eve 2009 betting.

Let’s start out with a source that is activated only on special occasions. Only when a sensational best bet falls on the lap of LateInfo is it live. Unlike your frozen Zune, it’s live but like your Zune it is “locked” up.

Our West Coast Source is the most well connected pro bettor in the world when it comes to “local” sharp bets across the country. Because of recent backward legislation, a large percentage of sharp info is being placed with outlaw books and below the Vegas and offshore sportsbooks radar screen, but not below our West Coast Source.  T

They have the LSU/Georgia Tech side. LateInfo is 79.2 percent winners in collegiate gridiron since its inception in 2001.

The LateInfo Line is now another part of OffshoreInsiders.  You remember them from their Freescoreboard scorephone days where they were documented over 85 percent with these rare plays. Click now to purchase

Let your drunken neighbors sing auld lang syne. We’ll sip on something from the Oster 12 bottle wine cellar and make a fortune.

If perfection is not your betting thing then no need to read any further. Keep picking 48 percent on your own if that’s what you are into.  For those who prefer winning over suspense, the power of 620 sports services behind every selection, the MasterLockLine is here for you. Staff Purchase Play, this is when we pay a major sports service to release a major play before the sports service itself does. Reputable and long-time tipsheet used by many elite handicappers and gamblers has their 2008-2009 Bowl Season Best Bet of the Year on their late telephone service. We have it for less than half of what they are charging on Minnesota/Kansas side

Easily the No. 1 in the land in NFL and CFB combined, a sports service out of the Deep South is on a stunning 79-32 run including 31-11 with High Confidence Plays. You Wake Forest right here Dec. 20, the Bills on Dec. 21, and the Raiders Dec. 28 and Oregon on Dec. 30 Two High Confidence Plays go today Air Force/Houston and LSU/GA Tech

Sports service out of Midwest is the No. 1 all-time CFB service in units won. Their highest rated plays are Executive Plays. They have two more executive plays including agreeing with the Staff Purchase on Minnesota/Kansas but also Pittsburgh/Oregon State

MASTERLOCKLINE EXCLUSIVE: The Dutchman is a former professional tout who in 1996 retired to a Hawaiian getaway. However the Dutchman still bets up to $10,000 per game and in an EXCLUSIVE he must report by contractual agreement every 10K personal real money best bet. He releases about 15 or so per year. Only his third bowl maximum real money best bet in the last five years on Boston College/Vanderbilt

MasterLockLine.com has all the top sports service plays from all the top handicappers in their highest rated sports. They monitor every single top sports service pick so you don’t have to. Best of all you get these same highly anticipated plays for pennies on the dollar.

Get more than $350 worth of sports service winning picks for just $16 on the MasterLockLine. Click now to purchase sports betting picks from the top sports services or you can get more information and a free sports pick

Our Bowl Underdog Game of the Year became a favorite once your sharpies bet it like it was already played. But we win even those who got it late as Oregon makes us 4-1 with all bowl Wise Guy plays and our recent Wise Guy run in 16-8 in NFL and college football combined.

Get a Wise Guy side selection, plus the first moneyline play of the postseason, an underdog that wins outright. Get six bowl winners for New Year’s Eve day now from the top handicapper ever in terms of units won. Joe Duffy is the only living Grand Master Sports Handicapper in American betting.

Screw Dick Clark. Oh I’m sure he’s a nice guy but there is so many better options tonight than Countdown to New Year’s Eve. Is Guy Lombardo dead still? There is both basketball and football to close out the old year with more winning and ring in the new one with Linda Cohn, Erin Andrews, Jesse Palmer, Craig James and Grandmaster sports handicapper Joe Duffy.

Alert: seven basketball Wise Guys and three Majors added. Leave New Year’s Eve “partying” to the amateurs. Stay home safe and leave your betting to the pros. Tonight, the ESPN 2 Game of the Month goes for late night North Carolina-Nevada. We also have the night TV game between Notre Dame and DePaul. DirecTV clients, tons more watch and winners.  Click now to purchase the entire GodsTips basketball and football card for just $17.

In entertainment and political betting odds Vicki Iseman is suing the NY Times for their unsubstantiated innuendo about her having an affair with John McCain. Bristol Palin gives birth to a son.

Stevie Vincent and GodsTips already have the New Year’s Day betting card up.

We close out with our 2009 predictions. If you are a client of OffshoreInsiders.com world class handicappers you will win gambling. If not, you will subsidize those who win bets.

Sports betting blog with sports handicapping picks from the best sports handicappers, pregame betting information, sports handicapping articles, links to live odds, free picks, sportsbook information and more. All pro gamblers go to this betting blog before placing a bet.