When someone bets on sports events, they generally use phrases like “I’ll take the points,” “I’m going to the bank,” or “I’ll lay this one right,” etc. When these phrases are used, people generally assume that the bettor is referring to a wager involving odds. However, there are other kinds of bets where a “1/2” or “1/4” is used instead of a “point” – and you might not know the difference! Let’s examine the various uses of these phrases so that you can be sure you’re interpreting them correctly!
The True Meaning Of A “1/2”
When someone bets on horse or dog racing, they’re usually betting on the “to win” or favorite category. So if they say “I’ll lay this one (or these) right,” what they mean is that they think their chosen horse (or dog) is going to win the race. They are not betting on the point spread; they are betting on their chosen horse or dog to win the entire thing. If their horse or dog loses, they lose the entire wager. This is called a “win,” or “true win,”bet. (Note: In rare instances, people might use phrases like “I’ll lay it (or these) at the track,” which means that they think the selected horse (or dog) is going to be among the first five horses or dogs off the track.)
When someone bets on the Super Bowl, they’re generally referring to a “field goal” wager, where they believe that the Philadelphia Eagles will score a field goal and win the game. (Or, if they’re betting on the Atlanta Falcons, they think the Eagles will score a touchdown and win the game.) These phrases generally have an “X” or “cross” in the middle, which indicates that they are wagering either “X” or “cross” points, depending on whether they are betting on the Philadelphia Eagles or Atlanta Falcons. A “half” point is equivalent to one-tenth of a whole point. Thus, a “1/2” means “one-half” point when used in reference to any wager involving odds.
The Difference Between A “1/2” And “1/4”
If you’re a poker player, you might be familiar with other kinds of bets called “draw” and “pot” bets. A “draw” bet is a wager on the outcome of a poker hand. If you’re playing against the house, then you might want to avoid draw bets because the house edge is generally high. A “pot” bet is a wager on whether someone else will win or lose a poker hand. These are also called “side” or “speculated” bets, and the person making the bet is called the “bookie.” Bookies are generally more accepting of pot bets because they get a commission off bets placed on poker hands (hence why they are sometimes called “poker brokers”).
A “1/2” used in a betting context means that you are wagering either “X” or “cross” points, depending on whether you are betting on the Philadelphia Eagles or Atlanta Falcons, as mentioned previously. A “1/4” means that you are wagering one-fourth of a point, which is equivalent to one-eighth of a whole point when used in a betting context. Thus, a “1/4” is a quarter point when used in reference to any wager involving odds. This is why a “1/2” and a “1/4” are sometimes used interchangeably in reference to any kind of wager.
A “1/4” Or “1/6” Does Not Mean What You Think It Means
Let’s say that you’re a baseball betting enthusiast and you see the phrase “I’ll lay this one at the track.” You might assume that this means that they are going to place a bet on the track – that is, at one of the betting locations that meets National Association of Racing’s (NAR) guidelines. However, that’s not necessarily the case. In this instance, the phrase “at the track” implies that the person is going to do all of their gambling at the same place, while also betting on horse racing at other tracks. For instance, if they are wagering on New York Races, then they are also wagering on West Coast Races. (Some bookies will allow this, but most won’t.)
If someone says “I’ll take the six,” they are generally referring to a bet involving six-bet (or six-corner) poker. This type of bet is similar to a draw bet in that it involves guessing which poker hand someone is going to be dealt at the end of a specific round of poker. However, it is different in that there are six hands instead of just one and it also includes the possibility of receiving a “full house” (three of a kind) or “straight” (flush) when you make the right guess.
A “1/4” used in a betting context means that you are wagering one-fourth of a point, which is equivalent to one-eighth of a whole point when used in a betting context. Similarly, a “1/6” means that you are wagering one-sixth of a point, which is equivalent to one-fourteenth of a whole point when used in a betting context. These are sometimes called “short” or “inside” bets, as compared to “long” or “outside” bets, which are placed at the same rate as “1/2” and “1/4” bets but involve more than two teams or categories. For example, a “long dime” bet is equivalent to a “1/2” bet on the game but involving three competitors. A “long six” bet is equivalent to a “1/4” bet on the same game but involving six competitors. Finally, a “long dog” bet is equivalent to a “1/6” bet on the same game but involving seven competitors. When referring to a “long” or “outside” bet, the odds are generally expressed as an “X” (for example, “I’ll lay this one at the track” or “I’ll take the points at the casino”).
What Does A “Bet-O-Matic” Mean?
If you’re a fan of the HBO series, Real Sports, then you might be familiar with the term “bet-o-matic.” This is the device used by host, Bryant Gumbel, to enter wagers during the course of the show. It was originally designed by Ed Thorp and first manufactured in the 1960s. (For a time, it was also known as the “betting monitor.”) Thorp created the device after getting tired of manually entering wagers for his clients. (Many professional gamblers still use an updated form of the bet-o-matic today.)
The basic concept of the bet-o-matic is that it records all of the bets that are placed on a given sporting event and allows users to track their winnings and losses. The device also functions as a calculator, so all of the necessary information is provided on one screen. Additionally, it provides an estimate of the winnings and losses that can be found at the end of the show. (This number can be somewhat inaccurate, however, because it is based on the last few minutes of recorded action rather than the final results of the game.)
If you’re a fan of HBO’s Real Sports and you’ve always wondered what kind of bets are being placed during the show – or if you just want to learn more about the subject matter discussed on the program – then you might want to check out their website, RealSports.com. They provide in-depth information about sports betting as well as tips on how to place winning bets. Additionally, they offer a place for bettors to discuss their wins and losses in a group setting with other members.