With the eyes and hearts of an entire nation on his stick, Jack Hughes sent an entire nation (and the early morning Sunday crowd) into a frenzy. The New Jersey Devils center, with a tooth more busted than a nightclub waitress’s work uniform, scored the game-winning “golden” goal on Sunday during the Milano Cortina Olympics to give the United States its first gold medal in men’s hockey in 46 years.
Oddsmakers, to no surprise, were Canada fans from the business side of things, despite a $50,000 bet coming in Connor McDavid’s squad. Still, about 82% of the tickets were on the U.S., who were small underdogs heading into the pre-crack-of-dawn puck drop.
“Bettors did well that day. We just happened to have a couple of big bets on Canada that helped us actually win on the game,” said Jason McCormick, Vice President of Race and Sports at Station Casinos. For comparison’s sake, the handle on the gold medal game wasn’t quite what you’d see on a Sunday NFL game, but it took in more handle than the average Stanley Cup game, even one including the Vegas Golden Knights. The issue wasn’t a lack of interest, but rather the 5:10 a.m. start time.
“People started to fill in the book later in the morning, and it actually became a really good atmosphere,” McCormick said, noting the patriotism that followed after the Hughes shot hit the back of the net, giving the Red, White, and Blue an already-iconic 2-1 win. “We had like 50 people standing in the Book with their hands on their chest during the national anthem after the USA won.” In Vegas, hockey is always golden; it’s time the rest of the country caught up.
With all that in mind, let’s quickly review the past week in sports and peek at what’s ahead on the STN Sports App and the STN Sports Books…
International Flair
The STN Sports Books have been more international than an IHOP lately. During the Olympic hockey pause and NBA All-Star break, college basketball was carrying the weight of the Book.
However, that softer schedule compelled guests to explore all avenues, leading them to bet on table tennis, darts, and cricket.
“I’m amazed at the handle that we’re getting on a lot of the smaller stuff,” McCormick said. “We’ve got 11 countries that we book international basketball from. We’ve got seven countries that we book international hockey from, and we’re up to 22 countries that we book international soccer for.”
Things will only progress, too, with World Cup Baseball in March and the World Cup of soccer in June.
Preseason MLB ‘Dogs
Pitchers and catchers are back like a Mayweather/Pacquiao fight. Baseball’s preseason is already underway, and betting options are posted daily. While betting on regular-season baseball can be difficult enough, how does one bet on preseason ball? The answer: Do your homework, very similar to betting on preseason NFL games, and keep a close eye on pitching rotation.
“There’s so much information out there on managers giving the tips on what their pitching rotation is going to be, what starters are going to do, whether it’s a one or two innings,” McCormick said.
“No. 1, betting preseason is doing your homework, knowing who’s in the lineup, who’s not in the lineup, what pitchers are expected to pitch, and who’s supposed to come behind them.” Underdogs, in preseason baseball, could have much more value than they do after Opening Day.
McCormick added, “We’re getting into the second and third string guys, not necessarily starters. So, my recommendation would be to then do your homework, and after you do your homework, if it talks you into getting a plus price, you should focus on underdogs instead of laying the juice in preseason.”
Bets To Know
Beginning this weekend, guests can sign up for the Men’s Last Man Standing competition for the NCAA Basketball Tournament. Players can purchase an entry into the winner-take-all competition in person at any Station Casinos property or Station-run Sports Book, with a guaranteed payout of $50,000.
Weekly Winners
Cross-sport hit on a big bet! $18,000 6-teamer wins $149,609 on February 20th:
-Timberwolves ML -699 over Mavericks
-SLU Bilikens ML -340 over VCU Rams
-Purdue ML -800 over Indiana
-Detroit Titans -1.5 -110 over Milwaukee Panthers
-Lakers ML -270 over Clippers
-Nuggets -1.5 -110 over Trailblazers