[pags11]

OK guys,

I've tweaked my system a bit from last year, but not much. Here it is:

Understand that I play all of my basketball games for the same size, one unit. Very rarely will I post a double unit play (did so 4 times I believe last year), or a half unit play (usually during the conference tourneys, but did have one this past week with USC +17 at Kansas). There are seventeen weeks to the season (including conf. tourneys, but not including the NCAA tourney). I break them down as folllows:

Week One: 23 games
Week Two: 23 games
Week Three: 23 games
Week Four 23 games
Week Five 15 games (finals week)
Week Six: 23 games
Week Seven: 15 games (Christmas break)
Week Eight: 28 games (start of conference play for most)
Week Nine: 28 games
Week Ten: 28 games
Week Eleven: 28 games
Week Twelve: 28 games
Week Thirteen: 28 games
Week Fourteen: 28 games
Week Fifteen: 28 games
Week Sixteen: 28 games
Week Seventeen 28 games at a half unit each
NCAA Tournament: Bracket Contests only, no single game bets

So, this year I started betting right away and feel I've got a better beat on teams (whereas last year I waited until the end of week 3 to start playing). I almost always play an odd number of games. I believe you either have a winning or losing day, no "eating the juice" days for the most part for me.

During conference play I usually break the number of games per day as such:

Sun. 3 games
Mon. 3 games
Tue. 5 games (sometimes 3)
Wed. 5 games (sometimes 7)
Thu. 5 games
Fri. day off, you need it in college hoops...very much a grind...
Sat. 7 games

Usually people want to bet the board on Saturdays, but I've learned to be selective. No parlays, no teasers, no ML plays, strictly straight wagers. If you go 4-1 or 1-4 you move onto the next day. A couple of other things I try to do is pick out 15 conferences at the beginning of the year and only wager on games where I bet a team from one of those conferences (wagering against a conference out of the 15 is ok). I still follow the other conferences, but I don't get to watch a whole lot of Big Sky, Patriot League or Big South games. I've found it better to stear clear of those conferences (very much like betting MAC and Sun Belt games in college football)...I rarely bet a favorite over -3 and will most likely bet almost all underdogs in the conference tourneys (weird shit happens).

Also, I've had a lot of success just entering into bracket contests instead of playing individual games. I've seen a lot of guys get hammered come tourney time and there's a better risk to reward ratio in doing the bracket contests...

I will post my picks in the "Best Bets" section on the days I wager (most of the time I remember to do it).

At any rate, that's my game plan for the year. Best of luck to everyone. Feel free to comment.

[bigboydan]

Very sound strategy Pags.

[pags11]

thanks dan...

[dave11486]

pags stop being so disciplined haha

[pags11]

dave,

lol...keep up the good work man...I see you've been doing well...

[austintx05]

Good insight...keep it up

[BuddyBear]

So Pags...if I understood it correctly...you don't bet the tournament games at all or under any circumstances?

Nice writeup and very insightful...

[Patrick McIrish]

Good job Pags, thanks for sharing. Interesting stuff.

[Checkerboard]

hey, I just saw this pags . . . thanks for this!

[pags11]

buddy,

yes, that's correct...I've never actually played a game individually in the tourney (other than when I get to the elite eight with my bracket contests and have occasionally hedged)...I've messed around picking games in my head and have done terribly...if I were to do so, it would probably be strictly in the first round...

austin,

thanks man...

patrick,

no sweat...thanks very much...

checkerboard,

glad you enjoyed this...