MNF brings huge implications for one Las Vegas parlay bettor

Week 2 of the NFL season closes out tonight in the shadow of the Big Apple, with a clash of two playoff teams from last season. Covers checks in on the action with Jeff Stoneback, director of trading for MGM Resorts sportsbooks in Las Vegas; Scott Kaminsky, sports director for offshore sportsbook TheGreek.com; and the lines manager for online book GTBets.eu.

Detroit Lions at New York Giants – Open: -4; Move: -3.5

In Week 1, Detroit trailed Arizona 17-9 with under six minutes left in the third quarter. Then the Lions exploded for four touchdowns – capped by a Miles Killebrew pick-six after three Matthew Stafford TD passes – to claim a 35-23 victory as a 2.5-point home underdog.

New York was without superstar wideout Odell Beckham (ankle) last week at Dallas, and its offense was much the worse for that. The Giants managed only a field goal in a 19-3 loss as a 6-point ‘dog in the Sunday night game, and now they’re under the prime-time spotlight again. And Beckham’s status for this 8:30 p.m. ET kickoff is uncertain.

MGM books, including Stoneback’s home base at The Mirage, aren’t nearly as concerned about pointspread wagering tonight as they are about another ticket creating hefty liability.

“The storyline is that there’s not a whole lot of action on the game itself, but we need the Giants to win the game,” Stoneback said. “Because there’s a five-team parlay out there, and he has the Lions moneyline tonight for the fifth and final team. He bet $8,500, and he’ll win a quarter of a million dollars. We won’t win much if the Giants win. The only liability is if the Lions win straight up, because of that parlay.”

Jay Rood, vice president of race and sports for MGM Resorts, put it a bit more succinctly.

“We’re gonna lose a boatload of money, or win absolutely nothing,” Rood said.

MGM opened the Giants -4 last Tuesday and has been at 3.5 since Wednesday, though New York’s price is even money, while Detroit has a premium to get that hook, at -120. TheGreek.com opened a full point lower, at Giants -3, and has stayed there all week while making price adjustments. New York’s price at -3 was as high as -127 and as low as the standard -110.

“Smart guys laid the 3 at -115, and we’re currently at 3 (-115),” Kaminsky said, leading right to the next question: Why didn’t the price change on that smart action? “Because maybe we don’t think they’re so smart tonight. I hope we’re right.”

At GTBets.eu, the line opened at Giants -5 and got a flood of early action on Detroit, quickly bringing it down to 3 by midweek last week. Like The Greek, there’s a premium on New York, with the price -125 this afternoon.

“With the line at 3, action has been basically even on bet count and money,” GTBets’ lines manager said. “I would imagine the line will stay at 3. The total has come down from its opening point of 43.5 to 41. However, the drop must be due to books awaiting the late sharp action on the under, as so far, the squares are still betting the over.”