1st Quarter Margin Odds

Wagering the 1st Quarter the typical bets are on the spread, moneyline or total. As an option "margin odds" present MUCH BETTER odds. What are margin odds? Just like it sounds you are wagering if a team for the 1st Qtr will win by 1-6 points or 7+ or end in a tie.

Here's a chart showing four very good 1st Quarter performing teams this season (through Nov 2). Let's look at Colorado State from the Mountain West conference. They are 5-0-2 (W-L-T) 1st Quarter in seven games we tracked (3-0 away and 2-0-2 home). Looking at their last game (@ Nevada Nov 2) the typical 1st Qtr moneyline odds opened COL ST -120, NEV -110. In comparison the 1st Qtr Margin Odds for COL ST was +350 if they win the quarter by 1-6 points, +255 if they win by 7+ pts and +320 if it's a tie. They won the 1st Qtr by 13 points margin so the +255 wager was successful.

Notice a tie at the end of the quarter offers some great odds as well! So you could sprinkle a little on the tie moneyline as insurance with your other margin bets. In over 500 games this year 1st Quarter ties occur 10% of the time.

Vegas, with all their computers, data and expertise tell us what they think will happen in the 1st Qtr by looking at the odds. The lowest odds for 1-6 and 7+ offered is their prediction. In the COL ST vs. NEV example Vegas told us they thought they would win the quarter by 7+ since that was lowest odds at +255.