Sample for Dan Gaspar- Fantasy Insiders

How Las Vegas sees The Open Championship

Three Sundays ago, I calmly placed my to win tickets on Dustin Johnson on my refrigerator after he three putted from twelve feet on the 18th green to win and then lose the US Open. Inside I was steaming, the placement in full view serves as a reminder to never wager on Dustin again. Sports betting in Las Vegas, or for that matter, anywhere, is not for the faint of heart.

The 144th Open Championship kicks off this Thursday at the home of golf, The Old Course at St. Andrews. This will be a very early tee time for me as the ESPN television coverage begins at 1AM local time on the west coast. Draft Kings as well as the other sites offering golf will have major contests for this event.

In 2010, the last time the Open was held at St. Andrews, a then 27 year old unknown, South African, Louis Oosthuizen lapped the field with a 7 stroke victory in poor weather conditions. The final leader board was dominated by Europeans with only two Americans, Nick Whatney and Sean O'Hair finishing in the top 10.

Las Vegas bookmakers have , of course installed Jordan Speith, golf's wonder boy and hottest player in world as the tournament favorite at 6 to 1.

Some other interesting names and lines include:

Dustin Johnson        12/1
Justin Rose              15/1
Rickie Fowler          15/1
Jason Day                25/1
Louis Oosthuizen      20/1
Sergio Garcia           30/1
Phil Mickelson         30/1
Tiger Woods            30/1    

Recreational bettors will line up at the windows to place wagers on Tiger, Phil. Sergio and other household names not withstanding their current form or lack thereof.  These players have not shown me any recent form to make a to win outright wager on The DFS sites have followed suit with the Las Vegas favorites carrying the highest salaries for the week.

For both my wagering and DFS purposes, I am looking at a core of these four players:


Henrik Stenson 20/1 DK $10,200. Swenson finished T3 at St. Andrews in 2010, a second place finish in 2013 and T39 in last years event. He was also 2nd in his last start, the BMW International Open.

Louis Oosthuizen 20/1 DK $9,900. Obviously he likes the course as evidenced by his win here in 2010. He is also coming off a T2 at the US Open, a course with similar conditions. His back is always a question mark, but he took last week off to prepare for this event.

Shane Lowry- 40/1 DK $8,100 The Irishmen is coming off a T9 in the US Open and a T31 in last week's Scottish Open. He finished T37, in 2010, when the Open Championship was last contested at St. Andrews and T9 in last year's event.

Victor Dubuisson 60/1 DK $7,500 Dubuisson has had a down year on the PGA tour making only 2 of 6 cuts. His recent form overseas is better, finishing 12th and 10th in his last 2 starts. He finished T9 in last years Open Championship.

Sure, I will sprinkle a little bit on Jordon Speith, but when wagering golf, similar to the big GPP's, I am looking to play the golfers with low usage and high odds.

May 8, 2014

1-0 last night, going with the Wizards live in game +6.5.

Playing Montreal +118, they are way too fast and strong for the Bruins. Price is out playing Rask.

Playing the LA Kings-135 at home. They are on quite a roll and I look for it to continue. Better goal tending with Quick.

Tuesday May 6

Passed last night.

Playing over 6.5 in Padres/Royals. Erlin on the hill for the Padres with a 5.96 ERA. Guthrie for KC at 4.50. Royals playing to an average of 8.2 total runs per game.

Playing Montreal +115 as a slight dog at home versus the Bruins. Look for Corey Price to rebound at home and play better than game 2 in the net. Montreal crowd will be rocking. Pucks have been a coin flip and if this goes to OT, I will buy back 1/2 on the Bruins.

Monday May 5

Got blasted with the Mavs pick yesterday. I dont they even got off the bus to play the game.

Very important day, celebrating one year of sobriety today. My 16 year old daughter got her drivers as well. Also today would have been my late father's 81st birthday

Passing and reflecting today

Sunday May 4

Really good day yesterday. Hit on Manchester City, Warriors and had the winner in the Kentucky Derby. Played the Ducks late right before game time and was good util the game tying goal with 8 seconds to go.
I am going to start playing one half om game bet on the other side live when these NHL games go to OT for money management purposes.

Playing the Mavs today at + 7 -120, bought it up 1/2. I think the Spurs win a very tight game. Dirk plays really well and this series has been very close. I think this is very similar to the Clippers/Warriors last night.

Derby Day May 3, 2014

Best two minutes in sports today. I always remember as a kid the excitement my dad had for Derby Day.

Finished yesterday, treading money again, winning the over in the BlackHawks and losing on the Angels as they gave up three in the seventh inning to lose.

Playing Man City -135 versus Everton in EPL and the Warriors +7.5

For the derby playing California Chrome, Intense Holdiay, Danza, Ride on Curlin and Wicked Strong.
Placing WPS on each horse, plus exacta and trifecta boxes.

Friday May 2

Basically broke even last night, lost some juice on the Yankees.  Today I am playing the LA Angels -126 against the Rangers. The Rangers have been really poor the last few games, they are not hitting and the injuries have finally caught up with them. Santiago's loses have been close games without run support.

Also playing the OVER 5 in the Blackhawks/Wild NHL tilt.  Minny should have tired legs defensively, both teams have been putting the puck in the net and I dont trust Corey Crawford in the net for the Blackhawks.
Six of the last seven between these clubs in Chicago have gone over the total.

I lean Mavericks tonight hoping the number goes to 3.5 and if so, I will buy it up to 4.

Ready for tomorrow and the greatest two minutes in sport plus the Mayweather fight