Correction for Sunset Seminar
I just want to apologize for having the wrong date associated with the Sunset Station handicapping seminar.. The event takes place this Thursday, August 28, from 6-7 p.m. inside the race and sports book. It really does, believe me this time.
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Even for the bettors who think they know it all, they will find themselves picking up something of use for their betting strategies between information gained at seminars offered at Sunset Station this Thursday night and the LVH SuperBook on Friday.
From 6-7 p.m. at the Sunset race and sports book, director Chuck Esposito will host his football seminar with ESPN’s “Hammerin” Hank Goldberg and Sports Book radio’s Brian Blessing. They’ll break down the major football storylines for the upcoming season, offer trends and some betting strategy.
They also welcome guest interaction during the seminar and, to ensure they get as many people interacting as possible, Esposito is offering free soft drinks and pizza to all who hang out for the hour.
Once you feel you’ve gained enough ammunition to beat your book from Sunset’s offerings, you can expand your knowledge even more at 6 p.m. Friday night at LVH where there are three separate panels, one for college football and the other two covering each conference of the NFL.
The best names in the handicapping business will be giving their views on teams expected to exceed expectations and those that figure to be rated too high from the outset.
SuperBook VP Jay Kornegay has beautifully intertwined his world renowned SuperContest and the handicapping seminar, along with a Saturday golf tournament into what he tabbed as the “SuperWeekend” a few years ago. Every year it has morphed bigger than the previous season and this year he’s giving away even more SuperContest entries.
“We have five different ways to earn a raffle ticket for one of the six SuperContest entries we’re giving away,” said Kornegay who will give them all away Friday and Saturday during the SuperWeekend. This year’s SuperContest prize is expected to reach close to $2 million in prize money with 30 entries paid out in the end.
“You can earn tickets through wagers on baseball parlays, football futures wagers, pari-mutuel bets, closest hole in Saturday’s golf tournament and also just by showing up for the seminar. Our first raffle will be Friday during the seminar. Last season it was a surprise for everyone when we did it. Then we’ll do the other four Saturday at the Super Reception, which begins at 7 p.m.”
The golf tournament sold out and, according to Kornegay, there are “four other groups waiting” in case someone withdraws.
For $75, that includes two meals and golfing on a private course, and with all the other chance opportunities of winning one of the $1,500 entries into the SuperContest, it’s actually a pretty good deal.
“Maybe we’ll raise the price next year,” joked Kornegay.
Kornegay even got Audi Henderson involved and they’re offering a 2014 Audi 5 if anyone in the golf tournament hits a hole-in-one on a hole that is 166 yards from the tee, a hole Kornegay said “someone almost hit last year falling short by about six inches. “This year, there’s a sweet ride waiting to be taken home.
Now that definitely sounds like a super weekend.
Set for LeBron
Last Friday the South Point sports book posted the Cavaliers as 3½-point favorites at Miami for the LeBron James reunion match Christmas day. At the end of last season, the Heat were 10½ points better on a neutral court rating than Cleveland. In the only home game Miami played the Cavs last season, they were -12½.
For the Cavs, you can immediately add at least 6½ points for LeBron and another 4½ for Kevin Love. That’s about an 11-point upgrade from last season. Meanwhile, you can subtract the 6½ in Miami for losing LeBron. That rating would suggest Cleveland is on par with the top rated teams in the NBA like San Antonio and slightly ahead of Oklahoma City.
$25,000 at South Point
For a $5 entry fee, you can fill out their no-points contest card and take a shot on all the games during Week 1 for a chance to win a guaranteed $25,000 by picking the most winners. If the entry fees exceed the guaranteed amount, that money goes into the prize pool as well.
NFL Red-Zone cool
The NFL Red Zone is offering free previews for the preseason games this Saturday and the following Thursday. No commercials, and you get to watch the best parts of the preseason games you can’t even catch live at the sports books.
I only have two TV’s in my viewing area at home during the regular season, but one channel is always on the Red Zone.
Baseball down
“Halfway through August, it’s been one of our worst baseball months I’ve seen, and by far the worst this season,” Kornegay said.
Micah Roberts is a former Las Vegas race and sports book director, one of The Linemakers on SportingNews.com , and longtime motorsports columnist and sports analyst at GamingToday. Follow Micah on Twitter @MicahRoberts7 Contact Micah at [email protected].