With 32 teams in the league in 2045, we'll break the league down into four tiers and see exactly how Sportsbooks are looking:
Prior to opening day, here were your odds on favorites to win the Landis
Top 10 Favorites
Team | Odds | Bets | Would Odds Increase or Decrease |
---|---|---|---|
Yellow Springs | 4/1 | 5 bets worth $70 | Stay |
San Antonio | 5.5/1 | 0 bets | Decrease |
Rockville | 5.5/1 | 1 bet worth $5 | Stay |
Long Beach | 6/1 | 0 bets | Decrease |
Calgary | 6/1 | 1 bet worth $15 | Decrease |
Hawaii | 6.5/1 | 1 bet worth $10 | Stay |
Nashville | 8/1 | 1 bet worth $100 | Decrease |
Twin Cities | 8/1 | 1 bet worth $5 | Stay |
San Fernando | 8/1 | 1 bet worth $10 | Decrease |
New Orleans | 8.5/1 | 1 bet worth $10 | Stay |
As for the Heartland teams of Nashville and Twin Cities, the Blue Birds have fought back from a tough start to the season and are at 44-41 though be it not in the post-season spot at the moment. Twin Cities on the other hand, who some felt had odds that weren't worthy, are proving the Sportsbooks evaluation of them correctly in the first half as they're currently hanging onto the final spot.
As for the bets themselves, the sportsbooks find themselves pulling hard for Rockville at the moment. "A Rockville Landis would probably cause the least loss at the books" commented gambling expert Kent Musburger. "Granted there is some potential loss in the prop bets that we'll look at later, but the lower odds and the lack of betting on the Pikemen would cause the least losses. That is of course if you assume San Antonio or Long Beach are no longer contenders. Clearly the books would love for one of them to sneak into winning the title at this point."
Tier 2 Teams
Team | Odds | Bets | Would Odds Increase or Decrease |
---|---|---|---|
Louisville | 10/1 | 0 bets | Stay |
Edmonton | 12/1 | 5 bets worth $135 | Increase |
Phoenix | 13/1 | 1 bet worth $10 | Stay |
Brooklyn | 15/1 | 0 bets | Stay |
Omaha | 20/1 | 0 bets | Increase |
Boise | 25/1 | 1 bet worth $5 | Increase |
Sacramento | 25/1 | 1 bet worth $5 | Decrease |
Boise and Omaha both sit in 2nd place in their division and look pretty solid at the moment. Both would have likely seen a little bit of a boost to their odds at this point in the season even though the Cyclones didn't get any play from bettors prior to opening day. Both would likely see their odds better than someone like San Fernando who began the season in the top tier of teams.
The one big thorn in the Sportsbook's side here is Edmonton who saw a lot of play from the public. "Bettors were and still are all over the Jackrabbits" commented Kent Musburger. "After some early play, you'd have seen Edmonton's odds really improve as Sportsbooks hoped to hedge a possible Jackrabbits Landis title. With Edmonton having the best record in the Frick, the sportsbooks really dropped the ball on this one and could be set up for big losses if the Jackrabbits win the Landis. It's safe to say Edmonton's odds would be closer to 5/1 at this point. Overall, I think there is some real value in these picks for gamblers."
Tier 3
Team | Odds | Bets | Would Odds Increase or Decrease |
---|---|---|---|
Chicago | 45/1 | 0 bets | Increase |
Charm City | 50/1 | 0 bets | Stay |
Montreal | 55/1 | 0 bets | Increase |
Charlotte | 60/1 | 0 bets | Increase |
Seattle | 60/1 | 0 bets | Increase |
Jacksonville | 70/1 | 0 bets | Decrease |
Atlantic City | 80/1 | 0 bets | Decrease |
Mexico City | 80/1 | 1 bet worth $5 | Decrease |
Madison | 80/1 | 0 bets | Increase |
Madison and Charlotte would also see their odds improve despite not being in a post-season spot at the moment. Both are in the mix and sit in similar situations as Phoenix, San Antonio, and say a Sacramento. Their odds aren't dead, but they're not great. All would likely be lumped into the same odds tier right now.
Charm City would probably see it's odds drop as their chances of a post-season spot are declining sim by sim. Seatte is in a similar spot. The Storm have played better of late but have an uphill battle still left to even make the playoffs. As for Mexico City, Jacksonville, and Atlantic City... Their odds would likely climb to over 100/1 as Sportsbooks try and tempt fans to throw their money away at pipe dream picks.
"You summed this one up well" added Musburger. "If this tier of bets were still open, money would probably pour in on Chicago and Montreal. Those odds would generate some nice payouts if either could claim the Landis. A bettor looking for a huge payday with nice odds would throw some at either of those teams. It's unfortunate for bettors, but a good thing for the books, if one of those two teams could make a run this October."
Tier 4
Team | Odds | Bets | Would Odds Increase or Decrease |
---|---|---|---|
Las Vegas | 100/1 | 0 bets | Increase |
El Paso | 100/1 | 0 bets | Stay |
Des Moines | 100/1 | 0 bets | Stay |
Valencia | 100/1 | 0 bets | Stay |
Vancouver | 150/1 | 0 bets | Increase |
Portland | 150/1 | 0 bets | Decrease |
Vegas is clinging to some hope and might see a slight odds boost and would match up with Charm City at this point in odds but the chances still wouldn't be good.
The one team Sportsbooks really screwed up on is Vancouver. At 42-43 currently, the Mounties have the best record of any of these tier 4 teams despite having the worst odds of winning the Landis. The Mounties still sit two games out of a post-season spot, but at 150/1 odds, some bettors looking for a huge payday may throw some coin their way much like with Chicago and Montreal above in hopes of a huge October run.