10/21/2008 - Lyon, France (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Former champions Andy Roddick of the United States and Richard Gasquet of France were among Tuesday's first-round winners at the $860,000 Lyon Tennis Grand Prix. Australian Open runner-up Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of the host nation also advanced on Day 2.
The top-seeded Roddick erased French crowd favorite Nicolas Mahut 7-6 (7-5), 6-4, while a second-seeded Gasquet fought back to beat Colombian qualifier Santiago Giraldo 5-7, 6-3, 7-6 (7-3) on the indoor carpet at Palais des Sports Lyon Gerland. The former top-ranked Roddick titled here in 2005, while Gasquet ran the table in 2006.
Roddick will face fellow American Robby Ginepri, while Gasquet will battle Belgian Steve Darcis in the round of 16. Ginepri drove out defending Lyon champion Sebastien Grosjean, a wild card this week, 6-7 (4-7), 6-4, 6-4.
In other opening-round play involving seeds, a No. 3 Tsonga topped last year's Lyon runner-up and fellow Frenchman Marc Gicquel 7-5, 4-6, 6-3, while Ecuador's Nicolas Lapentti toppled sixth-seeded Croat Ivo Karlovic 7-6 (7-4), 6-3. Gicquel gave way to Grosjean in last year's popular all-French finale here.
First-round wins also came French veteran Fabrice Santoro and Italian Andreas Seppi. The 35-year-old Santoro, who titled here 11 years ago, subdued Italian Fabio Fognini 6-4, 6-1.
Santoro should have his hands full with Tsonga in the second round.
On Wednesday, last week's Madrid Masters runner-up Gilles Simon of France will face Argentine Juan Monaco in a first-rounder. Simon, seeded fourth this week, is all the way up to No. 10 in the world.
<< Blue Jackets activate Malhotra; place Modin on IR
Columbus, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Columbus Blue Jackets activated forward
Manny Malhotra from injured reserve Tuesday, while placing forward Fredrik
Modin on IR.
Malhotra was injured in the club's final preseason game on Octobe
<< Ducks place Klee on waivers
Anaheim, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Anaheim Ducks placed defenseman Ken Klee on
waivers on Tuesday.
Klee, 37, was acquired by the Ducks from the Thrashers in a trade before the
season that saw defenseman Mathieu Schneider head to Atlanta.
<< Post positions drawn for 25th Breeders' Cup
Arcadia, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Post positions and morning-line odds have been
set for the 25th running of the Breeders' Cup World Championships, which will
be held this Friday and Saturday at Santa Anita Park.
Defending Breeders' Cup Cla
<< NFC North: Bears' offense covers for injured defense
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - It's not surprising that the Chicago Bears' defense gave up
a lot of points in this past Sunday's clash with the Minnesota Vikings, since
the team was playing without three of its top defensive backs. What was
surprising, how
Newcastle appeals Beye's red card >>
Newcastle, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Football Association has confirmed
they received a claim for wrongful dismissal from Newcastle United for defender
Habib Beye.
The Senegal international's appeal will be heard on Thursday after he
Browns suspend disgruntled Winslow one game >>
Cleveland, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Cleveland Browns handed Kellen Winslow a
one-game suspension on Tuesday as a result of the tight end's negative
comments toward the organization and, specifically, team vice president and
general
Tottenham's Dawson charged with misconduct >>
London, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Tottenham Hotspur defender Michael Dawson
has been hit with an FA misconduct charge relating to the aftermath of his
sending-off against Stoke City.
Dawson was dismissed in the final minutes of t
Portsmouth's Redknapp denies inciting crowd >>
Portsmouth, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp has
denied suggestions that he incited the crowd before the coin-throwing incident
that marred the goalless draw at Aston Villa.
A linesman was struck on the head
In terms of sports wagering, the NFL is "the most popular game in town." The explanation behind that is easy.
It is called the "pointspread."
Many years ago, NFL games, as well as the more popular college games, used straight odds as a vehicle for betting. For example, if the Bears were playing the Giants, and it shaped up as a competitive contest, the Bears might be, say, a 7/5 favorite. If they were playing an also-ran, it might be 10/1. Well, there is a point where a line becomes prohibitive, as far as betting the favorite. And who would waste money betting an underdog that has virtually no chance? Such a setup did not contribute to promoting betting action.
But in modern sports betting, a "pointspread" is used.
A NFL pointspreads are exactly that, a pre-established point difference between the two sides that will, for all intents and purposes, create a handicap that evens things out, and in doing so, produces comparable wagering activity on both sides of that proposition. So in lieu of a odds figure in which to bet the team to win outright, the Bears might be a three-point favorite over the New York Giants, and a 17-point favorite over the also-ran. Now that the team that is the underdog can "get" points, there can be equal action on both sides.
In sportsbooks, this is usually done with efficiency by charging the losing bettors 10% extra - in effect, bettors are laying 11/10 on those games. So they are actually betting $110 to win $100. If they lose, they pay the "vig." If they win, they simply collect.
The establishment of the pointspread as the corner stone around which team sports like football can be wagered upon was truly what brought gridiron betting into the stratosphere.
Don't believe it? Just take a look at what happens around the Super Bowl.
Stay with us here as we take you through the best in NFL action on a consistent basis, with advice columns as well as handicapping selections. If you're looking for college football betting, that's in our NCAA section, which you can reach by clicking here. And if you're looking for a different kind of football, such as the Canadian Football League, which we'll deal with occasionally, or the Arena Football League, which we really like, you can find it in our Miscellaneous section by clicking
Note: Monday night game will be picked Monday. Lines used are from football betting odds .
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American Idol odds : Blake Lewis the Early Standout
An important American Idol betting lines recap from February 20 Guys episode. The 12 men came out flat overall with Blake Lewis appearing to have the early edge after the first hour and a half.
Rudy - was quite good singing "Free Ride" to start off. Randy was not impressed though. Paula thought he started off fantastic. "Never had anyone stop off so lively" said Paula but Simon (who does not like Rudy) does not feel he has a distinct voice and was not impressed either.
Brandon was a little pitchy according to Randy and Paula agreed. Simon said he was a good singer but the song was "too safe" and he needs to make an impact. He was listed at +1200 odds or $1200 paid out on a $100 bet should he win the competition.
Big favorite Sundance came in with a flat version of "Knights in White Satin" and the judges let him have it, including Paula. Randy claimed the song was out of pitch throughout.
Korean American - and a Jenny Woo favorite - Paul Kim was up next. Another pitchy flat one but Randy said he still liked his potential. Kim at +3000 odds was said to have sung a "third rate version of that (George Michael) song" according to Simon Cowell. He sang "Careless Whisper".
22 year old Chris Richardson was up next. He was listed with +1100 odds coming in. He got the best response from the judges though Simon did not believe the vocal was that great.
Nick was boring and pitchy. Simon didn't think he was that bad though and predicted he would be back next week. Nick Pedro was a big +3000 dog coming into this competition.
Beat boxer Blake Lewis was listed with early +1000 odds or $1000 payout on a $100 bet if he were to become the next American Idol winner odds . These of course were the early odds. He was considered original for picking an "odd song". He did not beat box and the judges felt it was the best vocal of the night.
Sanjaya came in as the second biggest favorite after Chris Sligh but his performance Tuesday night was not very good.
Chris Sleigh was the early favorite at +450 odds. Great voice and a great sense of humor. He's a real standout. Randy felt it was on point but maybe ahead of the chorus a little bit. Simon Cowell said he felt like he was in some "sort of weird student gig".
Jared Cotter followed. He was listed with +2000 odds early on to win the competition. The judges felt he needs to take more risks but looked good.
22-year old AJ Talbado, who has tried out for American Idol five times, was up next. "Kind of a theme park performance" said Simon. Though the judges felt he performed okay. Simon did feel AJ might be better than he originally thought.
Phil - this season's military favorite - came into this competition with +1200 odds to win the competition. He was the last to perform. He was certainly strong enough to get through this stage of the competition and perhaps the best one after a shaky start.
Tomorrow night, the ladies perform and I sure hope they do a better job than the boys. Check out all the American Idol betting odds here.
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